The Forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia agreed to incorporate its international aid and development agency, Christian World Service.
NCCA Christian World Service Limited, a public company limited by guarantee, will operate as soon as possible as CWS Australia (CWSA).
The General Secretary of the NCCA, the Reverend John Henderson welcomed the decision and said : ¡§Following many months of consideration the Forum accepted a simpler and more transparent structure for CWS, while retaining CWSA firmly within the family of the NCCA¡¨.
Incorporation will
„hoffer the security of setting CWSA at a legal distance from NCCA to give it greater integrity and identity
„hprovide ongoing accountability and compliance for fundraising and reporting to supporters and funding bodies, and
„himprove stewardship, and maximise the ability to generate resources to expand work with partners overseas and in Australia.
Every year CWS, mainly through its Christmas Bowl program, assists people who are struggling for lives of sufficiency, dignity and peace in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, and supports refugees and asylum seekers overseas and in Australia, through direct assistance, through collaboration with other agencies, and through advocacy with community and government. It also supports Indigenous community projects identified by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission.
The Christmas Bowl program supports partnerships which put hope in the hearts of people through projects which address the big problems of our times: poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDS, education, health, child mortality, development, equality and empowerment, the environment and lack of safe water.
The Reverend Gregor Henderson, Chair of CWS, expressed his delight with the outcome : ¡§It will enable CWS to increase its profile in the Australian churches and community, whilst retaining CWSA as a key component of the ecumenical family in Australia¡¨.
¡§CWSA will continue to be a significant expression of Australian churches together responding to need in the world through the Christmas Bowl program and other initiatives ¡V incorporation will in no way diminish this mission of CWS¡¨, said Mr Caesar D¡¦Mello, National Director of CWS.
Further information : Colleen Hodge, Education and Communications, CWS
Telephone : 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
