Department for World Service
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Follow the Haiti earthquake response |
The Department for World Service (DWS) is the relief and development arm of the LWF.
Rooted in Christian values of love, reconciliation and justice, DWS responds to human need throughout the world, serving all people irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religion, race or political conviction.
Drawing on a firm commitment to uphold the rights of the poor and oppressed, DWS works together with local and international partners to alleviate suffering, combat injustice and poverty, and lay the foundation for a life in dignity for all.
DWS has field programs in 36 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin and Central America, and Europe and over 5,000 staff.
Approach
DWS is committed to an empowering, rights-based and integrated approach. Such an approach enables communities to find long-term solutions to the problems they are facing, and informs all people of their rights and responsibilities. It strives to link different program aspects such as emergency intervention and disaster preparedness to reconstruction and development.
The Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief and the Principles of Partnership endorsed by the Global Humanitarian Platform undergird DWS humanitarian response programs.
A full member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership, DWS maintains strict standards of accountability and quality management.
Through its Accountability Framework, DWS strives to ensure transparency in program administration, governance and implementation.
Priorities
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DWS focuses on six priority areas, adapted to local contexts and informed by local communities. The global struggle to overcome poverty and ensure human rights forms the framework for all DWS work. DWS priority areas are:
- Responding to and preparing for disasters
- Creating sustainable communities
- Combating HIV & AIDS
- Promoting peace, reconciliation and human rights
- Transforming gender relations
- Protecting the environment
Read more about DWS strategy for the time period 2007-2012 in "Uphold the Rights of the Poor and Oppressed". 
[Hi-res version - 2 MB]
Country Programs
Cultivation of tomatoes in greenhouses |
DWS works in 36 countries through four regional, 20 country and seven associate programs and emergency operations.
All DWS country programs began at the invitation of local partners in response to emergencies. Whenever local capacity and empowerment have been achieved, local structures assume governance in the form of associate programs that maintain partnership with DWS.
Read more about individual DWS country, regional and associate programs.
Partners
DWS works within an extensive network of partner relationships that enhance the effectiveness and multiply the resources of supporting and funding partners, and local implementing partners. This partnership network includes: the LWF member churches and their related agencies; ecumenical organizations, in particular, the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) and the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA); specialized agencies of the United Nations; and other intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.
Governance
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The department's work is governed by the LWF Council through the Program Committee for World Service (PCWS). The Standing Committee for World Service (SCWS) accompanies, monitors and governs the operations of DWS.
For more information, please consult the Terms of Reference for all Council Committees and the Mandate of the Standing Committee for World Service.
DWS Geneva
The Department of World Service at the LWF Secretariat enables the planning, coordination and accountability needed for effective and efficient program management of humanitarian and diaconal activities. Working on behalf of the partnership network and local communities, DWS Geneva formulates policy and strategic direction for approval by the Standing Committee for World Service; provides overall administration and undertakes fundraising in relation to the country programs; and coordinates efforts in the six DWS priority areas.
Finances and Personnel
In 2008, total resources administered on program and emergency support amounted to USD 112.3 million (DWS programs USD 81.8 million and USD 30.5 million for associate programs). These funds are provided by member churches, related agencies, governments, intergovernmental agencies and individual donors. The DWS global system of humanitarian response and sustainable development is facilitated by approximately 50 international staff in key country program positions, 2,700 local staff and consultants, and 15 staff within DWS Geneva. The LWF associate programs employ an additional 3,000 staff.
History
One of 40 Lutheran refugee families from Germany and Austria resettled in southern France on rented farms with LWF help. |
In 1947 the Lutheran World Federation began serving those in need, primarily Lutheran refugees who had been displaced as a result of World War II. Through more than five decades, assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons and those affected by disasters has continued as a major emphasis. The equally significant emphasis that has grown in recent decades is a holistic approach to sustainable development that is people-centered, rights-based, gender-aware and environmentally responsible.
For further information please contact:
Rev. Eberhard Hitzler, DWS Director
Ms
Doris Gfeller, Administrative Assistant
