Values and principles

The LWF is committed to embodying and achieving our values as we work with and through communities and like-minded partners.

Better education for residents of the Ohn Taw Gyi camp, Myanmar. Photo: LWF Myanmar/Isaac Kyaw Htun Hla

Better education for residents of the Ohn Taw Gyi camp, Myanmar. Photo: LWF Myanmar/Isaac Kyaw Htun Hla

LWF staff in Za'atri camp, Jordan. Photo: Christian Jepsen

LWF staff in Za'atri camp, Jordan. Photo: Christian Jepsen

A woman passes sugar in a food place in the market near Kaya refugee camp, Maban county, South Sudan. Photo: LWF/C. Kästner

A woman passes sugar in a food place in the market near Kaya refugee camp, Maban county, South Sudan. Photo: LWF/C. Kästner

Dignity and Justice

Dignity, Human Rights, and Justice

We believe that every person has the right to a dignified life, free of abuse, discrimination, and oppression. We believe that upholding human rights is fundamental to people being able to move out of poverty, to bring about justice and peace, and for development to be sustainable. Each person’s God given dignity has formed the basis of international human rights principles and conventions1 , which guide our work, actions, and operations.
Compassion and Commitment

Compassion and commitment

We are dedicated to working with those who are suffering, those who are unable to speak up for themselves, and those who live in areas where others do not go. We go that extra mile to reach out to those who may have been forgotten or are considered out of reach.
Respect for Diversity

Inclusion and diversity

We believe in the value and power of diversity and inclusion within the communities where we work as well as within our own workforce.
Inclusion and Participation

Meaningful participation

We believe that sustainable development is based on the meaningful participation of all people in our programs, regardless of gender, age, and ability. Participation means people are part of decision making and can hold local duty-bearers to account.
Transparency and Accountability

Transparency and accountability

We are strongly committed to transparency and accountability to the people we work with and communities, partners, and donors. We set high quality standards and regularly monitor our efforts for continuous improvement. We are aligned with international standards, such as the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and the SPHERE project (Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response) and have developed our own complaints-handling.

Humanitarian Principles

We provide support to people irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or political conviction, without discrimination or favoritism. We subscribe to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

Gender Justice

We believe that women and men, both created in the image of God, are co-responsible stewards of creation. Gender justice is expressed through equality and balanced power relations between women and men. We are committed to eliminating institutional, cultural, and interpersonal systems of privilege and oppression that sustain discrimination against women.

Climate Justice

We recognize that the impact of climate change is often felt first and most acutely by those who suffer from extreme poverty. We are committed to ensuring that our programs minimize the immediate and long-term risks of climate change to those communities we serve.