Overview

Diakonia is a global network of people, organizations and churches working towards more people living a life in dignity. Diakonia has nearly 40 years experience of development work. Diakonia was established in 1966 under the name Free Church Aid. In 1984 the name was changed to Diakonia. The word "diakonia" is Greek and means care and service. Diakonia is a Swedish Development Aid Organization headed by six Christian denominations. The word "Diakonia" is Greek for "to serve". Diakonia aims to diminish the causes of poverty and facilitate ongoing community improvement and development. The work is founded on the conviction that all members of the human family are created equal in the likeness of God and that Christians are called to service wherever a person is suffering. The target groups for Diakonia's work consist of people in the South (so-called developing countries) who are poor, oppressed and subjected to different forms of violence. Among this group the primary focus is on women, ethnic minorities, landless people and refugees. Diakonia gives financial support to projects in about fifty countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Diakonia does not carry out its own projects but directs aid to local partner organizations in these countries. This constitutes an extensive network, which in turn affects millions of people. Learning together affords Diakonia and the partner organizations the opportunity to develop and to improve activities jointly. Diakonia therefore emphasizes the importance of exchange of ideas. Diakonia has seven regional offices in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and these constitute an important link between Diakonia in Sweden and partner organisations. The head office is located in Stockholm, the Swedish capital. Together with its partner organisations, Diakonia has moved in a direction focused more on democracy and human rights. Experience has shown that democracy and human rights are preconditions for true development. Diakonia’s activities can be divided into four categories, all of which interrelate and are mutually dependent: • Democratisation • Human rights • Social and economic justice • Gender equality • Strengthening the capacity of local partners The first three of the issues above are today to be seen as the main programmes in which Diakonia is working. The gender aspect as well as strengthening local partners is incorporated in all types of projects and activities. Diakonia has about 80 working partners in eight countries in Asia: Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, The Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Background

Diakonia started cooperation with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and ADHOC in 1993 as the first local partners. The number of partners expanded over the years and in 1997 Diakonia started a democracy and human rights program to support the elections in 1998 in the short term and to strengthen the democracy and respect for human rights in the long term. The number of local partners is currently 19.

Mission

Specific for Asia: Reduced vulnerability of disadvantaged groups/communities for exploitation and social injustice. The results for Diakonia is that the target group will have achieved increased access to economic and social resources, contributed to a greater respect for human rights, increased its participation in local decision making processes and achieved greater gender equality.

Vision

Specific for Asia: Improved quality of life, equity and dignity for disadvantaged groups/communities in selected countries in Asia.

Staff