How SCS works

Achieving sustainable changes in children’s conditions involves structural changes in

society as well as of cultural conceptions and social attitudes that may take a long

time. This means that Save the Children Sweden must participate in a continuous

fight for children’s rights in a society where many parties and interests are battling

for space and resources. By working for a child-friendly society we also promote the

development of democracy and peace.

 

Our role

 

Save the Children Sweden is a child rights organisation

Save the Children Sweden cannot effect by itself the changes in children’s conditions

for which it strives. International bodies, the State and its authorities at various levels,

business, media and non-governmental organisations all play a role in upholding

the rights of the child. The family often plays the primary role. Save the Children

Sweden focuses on influencing all these institutions and the children and adults who

are part of them. It is with these institutions we measure the results of our work in

terms of improved decisions and practices.

 

We do not take over society’s responsibility

Save the Children Sweden is not a social service organisation. We do not take over

the responsibility of parents, other custodians or authorities for the child and her/his

life conditions. It is not our role to provide financial support to individual children

or families.

 

We have a different role in Sweden and abroad

As a Swedish organisation, Save the Children Sweden acts in its own name in Sweden.

Here, we work directly with children and institutions in society. Local branches

and their members are responsible for all activities at the local/municipality level. We

work increasingly in collaboration with other organisations nationally and locally to

achieve better results. When collaborating with, or providing financial support to,

other organisations we ensure ourselves active participation, take responsibility for

the quality of work and evaluate the results.

Outside Sweden, Save the Children Sweden works in partnership with non-governmental

organisations and community groups to achieve our objectives. These partners

are the main players in their own arena and have full and independent responsibility

for their work. Our collaboration with a partner aims at promoting mutual

learning and enhancing the partner in becoming an independent, sustainable monitor

and promoter of the rights of the child. We base our partnerships on a common

understanding of situation analysis, objectives and working methods. The collaboration

is built on mutual trust, transparency and respect. Partnerships are long term

commitments but they always have a set time-limit.

In countries outside Sweden, Save the Children Sweden also collaborates with other

international organisations and development agencies in order to achieve change and

in order to influence the policies and development efforts of these agencies. When

collaborating with, or providing financial support to, these agencies we ensure ourselves

involvement and active participation.

At global and regional level, we act primarily within the framework of the International

Save the Children Alliance and look to influence policy and development

efforts at UN agencies, regional bodies and other international organisations so they

become more child-rights-focused. When collaborating with these bodies we ensure

ourselves involvement and active participation.