WHO IS NEW HOPE ZIMBABWE?
I. THE PRINCIPLES
New Hope Zimbabwe (NHZ) was founded in year 2000 to contribute to the protection of women and children’s lives and the alleviation of suffering out of respect for human dignity. NHZ brings care to people in precarious situations and works towards helping them regain control over their future.
II. SOCIAL ACTION FIRST
The actions of NHZ are fist and foremost social. This primarily consists of providing preventive and protective care to people in Danger, wherever they may be. In cases where this is not enough to ensure the survival of population- as in some extreme emergencies-other means may be developed, including the provision of Water, Sanitation, Food, Shelter.
These actions are sometimes carried out in crisis periods when a system is suddenly destabilized and the very survival of the population is threatened.
III. WITNESSING – AN INTEGRAL COMPLIMENT
Witnessing is done with the intention of improving the situation for populations in danger. It is expressed through:
- the presence of volunteers with people in danger as they provide social care which implies being near and listening
- a duty to raise public awareness about these people
- The possibility to openly criticize or denounce breaches of international convections. This is a last resort used when NHZ volunteers witness mass violations of human rights, including forced displacement of populations, refoulement or forced return of refugees, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
In exceptional cases, it may be in the best interests of he victims for NHZ volunteers to provide assistance without speaking out publicly or to denounce without providing assistance, for example when humanitarian aid is “manipulated”.
3. RESPECT FOR SOCIAL ETHICS
NHZ missions are carried out in respect of the rules of social ethics, in particular, the duty to provide care without causing harm to either individuals or groups. Each person in danger will be assisted with humanity, impartiality and in respect of social confidentiality.
In other respects, this ethical consideration provides that no one will be punished for carrying out social activities in accordance with the professional code of ethics, regardless of the circumstances or the beneficiary of the action.
Finally, no person carrying out a social activity can be forced to perform acts or operations in contradiction to the professional code of ethics or the rules of international law.
4. DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
New Hope Zimbabwe ascribes to the principles of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. This includes the recognition of:
- the duty to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of each individual, including the right to physical and mental integrity and the freedom of thought and movement, as outlined in the 1949 Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
The right to victims to receive assistance, as well as the right of humanitarian organisations to provide assistance. The following conditions should also be assured: free evaluation of needs, free access to victims, control over the distribution of humanitarian aid and the respect for humanitarian immunity.
5. CONCERN FOR INDEPENDENCE
The independence of NHZ is characterized above all by an independence of spirit which is a condition for independent analysis and action, namely the freedom of choice in its operations, and the duration and means in carrying them out.
This independence is displayed at both the level of the organisation and of each volunteer.
NHZ strives for strict independence from all structures or powers, whether political, religious, economic or other. NHZ refuses to serve or be used as an instrument of foreign policy by any government.
The concern for independence is also financial. NHZ endeavours to ensure a maximum of private resources, to diversify its institutional donors, and, sometimes, to refuse financing that may affect its independence.
From their side, NHZ volunteers are expected to be discrete and will abstain from linking or implicating NHZ politically, institutionally or otherwise through personal acts or opinions.
6. A FOUNDING PRINCIPLE: IMPARTIALITY
Impartiality is fundamental to the mission of NHZ and is inextricably linked to the independence of action. Impartiality is defined by the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality:
- Non-discrimination in regard to politics, race, religion, sex or any other similar criteria.
- proportionality of assistance as it relates to the degree of needs – those in the most serious and immediate danger will receive priority
7. A SPIRIT OF NEUTRALITY
NHZ does not take sides in Political or armed conflicts and in this sense adheres to the principle of neutrality.
However, in extreme cases where volunteers are witness to mass violations f Human Rights, NHZ resort to denunciation as a last available means in helping the populations it assists. In these cases, simple assistance is rendered in vain when violations persist. For this reason, NHZ will drop its strict observance of the principle of neutrality and will speak out to mobilize concern in an attempt to stop the exactions and improve the situation for these populations.
8. ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Faced with populations in distress, NHZ has an obligation to mobilize and develop its resources.
Aiming at maximum quality and effectiveness, NHZ is committed to optimizing its means and abilities, to directly controlling the distribution of its aid, and to regularly evaluating the effects.
In a clear and open manner, NHZ assumes the responsibility to account for its actions to its beneficiaries a well a its donors.
9. AN ORGANISATION OF VOLUNTEERS
NHZ is an organisation based on volunteerism. This notion principally implies:
· an individual commitment to people in precarious situations. The responsibility of the organisation is based on the responsibility taken by each volunteer;
· Disinterest, attested to by the non-lucrative commitment of volunteers.
Volunteerism is a determining factor in maintaining a spirit of resistance against compromise, routine and institutionalisation.
10. OPERATIONS AS AN ASOCIATION
The commitment of each volunteer to the NHZ movement goes beyond completing a mission; it also assumes an active participation in the associative life of the organisation and an adherence to the Charter and Principles of NHZ.
Within the different representative structures of NHZ, the effective participation of volunteers is based on an equal voice for each member, guaranteeing the associative character of the organisation.
NHZ also endeavours to constantly integrate new volunteers to maintain spontaneity and a spirit of innovation.
Linked to the idea of volunteerism, the associative character of NHZ permits openness towards our societies and a capacity for questioning ourselves.
I. PRACTICAL RULES FOR OPERATING
1. Organisation and decision-making
The majority of decision makers are volunteers who work or have worked for NHZ. They constitute the General Assembly, and they elect a Board headed by an Executive Director. Almost all of these positions are unsalaried.
The Board names the executive team. This secretariat in consultation with the board guarantees respect for the NHZ Principles ensures that decisions taken by the General Assembly are executed, and controls the management of the organisation.
2. Non-profit
Each section is founded on the not-for-profit principle.
The principle of disinterest is part of the commitment of all NHZ personnel. In their work for NHZ, staff are not entitled to additional remuneration from the organisation, its satellites, suppliers, or any other individuals or legal entities with whom the organisation has relations, other than salaries or allowances. BY choice, the proportion of salaried positions remains limited. Management staff salary levels are lower than those in comparable sectors of the employment market. All salaries are public.
The financial reserves of NHZ are intended to ensure the smooth functioning of the organisation and to allow the organisation to rapidly react to emergencies and periodic shortfalls. In no case will they constitute a means for perpetuation. For this reason, the reserves, including property holdings, never exceed the annual operational expenses.
3. Management of Resources
At least half of the resources of NHZ must come from private funding.
NHZ directly carries out its operations for populations in danger, so 80 % of the resources of the organisation are exclusively dedicated to operations.
NHZ retains continuous and direct control over the management and delivery of its aid.
Funds received by NHZ are allocated as the organization considers them most useful, in conformity with its principles. However, if a donor wishes his or her donation to be used in a specific mission, NHZ will respect this request.
4. Financial Control and Transparency
The use of NHZ funds is regularly controlled. In addition, each department makes public its audited financial reports.
Different categories of expenses are clearly identified in the accounts, clearly showing the disbursements of funds. It is therefore easy to distinguish the expenses for operations, programming, communications or fund-raising.
The accounts are then published and provided to all donors through different newsletter and communications support materials produced by NHZ. The accounts are also available to anyone upon request.
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Date Submitted: 23/11/2006 -
Last Updated: 11/4/2008
