The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth who were committed Christian evangelists with an acute social conscience. In 1890, William Booth published a ground breaking book, ‘In Darkest England and The Way Out’ addressing the causes and effects of poverty. The comprehensive solutions offered by Booth continue to influence Salvation Army approaches to poverty in the 21st century. General André Cox, international leader of The Salvation Army, has said:

‘Far too many people are barely surviving in our world today. They are not experiencing “life in all its fullness” as God intended through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 10:10).’

Mission:

The International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) based in New York with staff working in Nairobi, Geneva and Vienna, serves The Salvation Army as a strategic voice to advocate for human dignity and social justice in all parts of the world. The ISJC exercises leadership in determining the Salvation Army’s policies and practices in the international social justice arena. The ISJC seeks to find ways to resource the worldwide Salvation Army to combat injustice, including linking and working with like-minded organisations and other world forums.

Vision:

  1. Raise strategic voices to advocate with people particularly those who are poor and oppressed.
  2. Be a recognised centre of research and critical thinking on issues of global social justice.
  3. Collaborate with like-minded organisations to advance the global cause of social justice.
  4. Exercise leadership in determining social justice policies and practices in The Salvation Army.
  5. Live the principles of justice and compassion and inspire others to do so.

Faith Affiliation: Christian

Key facts: Internationally, The Salvation Army has 108,786 employees and 26,675 officers (ministers). 2,016,867 people benefit from community development programmes in 129 countries.

Humanitarian Standards: The Salvation Army operates in more than 125 countries are accountable to the General based at International Headquarters. The Salvation Army endorses the SPHERE international humanitarian standards.  It is a recognised NGO at the United Nations (as The Salvation Army); is a partner of UNHCR and a founding signatory of the Moral and Spiritual Imperative to End Extreme Poverty

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