{"id":84,"date":"2020-02-16T13:45:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-16T12:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/?page_id=84"},"modified":"2020-05-02T04:47:13","modified_gmt":"2020-05-02T02:47:13","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/?page_id=84","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">INITIATIVES OF CHANGE INTERNATIONAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Initiatives of Change International is a non-profit organisation registered in Switzerland, serving the wider lofC movement. Thirty-six national bodies and programmes comprise its formal membership. Each member operates autonomously with a focus on addressing specific local needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"653\" src=\"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Map-Jan-27v2-1024x653.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Map-Jan-27v2-1024x653.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Map-Jan-27v2-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Map-Jan-27v2-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Map-Jan-27v2-1536x980.png 1536w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Map-Jan-27v2.png 1571w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Initiatives of Change?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Initiatives of Change (IofC) International is a non-profit organization registered in Switzerland, existing to serve a global community. The 36 national teams and international programmes which comprise its formal membership each operate autonomously, but work together in the areas of <strong>Trustbuilding<\/strong>, <strong>Ethical Leadership<\/strong> and <strong>Sustainable Living<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Our starting point is that creative social change depends on personal change. Everyone can examine their lives and align their actions with their values, thus \u2018being the change\u2019 they want to see in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> What Drives Us Forward <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Vision:<\/strong> a just, peaceful and sustainable world to which everyone, responding to the call of conscience, makes their unique contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Mission:<\/strong> to inspire, equip and connect people to address world needs, starting with themselves. We work worldwide on many initiatives through a network of individuals, groups and organizations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Areas of Focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns ticss-952c6e01 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"272\" height=\"272\" src=\"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/trustbuilding.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/trustbuilding.png 272w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/trustbuilding-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"730\" height=\"704\" src=\"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/ethical-leadership.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/ethical-leadership.png 730w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/ethical-leadership-300x289.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"730\" height=\"717\" src=\"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/sustainability.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/sustainability.png 730w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/sustainability-300x295.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Trustbuilding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\">Peace and social cohesion through trust and reconciliation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Ethical Leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\">Leadership based on integrity, compassion and selfless service. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Sustainable Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\"> Economic justice and environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\">A Brief History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"815\" src=\"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/buchman-frank-dr_orig.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/buchman-frank-dr_orig.jpg 650w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/buchman-frank-dr_orig-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">IofC began as a spiritual and social movement more than 80 years ago, drawing on the ideas of founder Frank Buchman, a Lutheran minister. Buchman\u2019s work began with university students in the US and the UK and spread out to people in all walks of life and in all parts of the world. He believed that by applying guiding values of absolute honesty, unselfishness, purity and love in daily life, and being open to the divine spark within, anyone could help create a better society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As Europe prepared for war in the 1930s, Buchman called for \u2018moral and spiritual re-armament\u2019 to build \u2018a hate and greed-free world\u2019. Following World War II, Moral Re-Armament (MRA), as it became known, promoted trustbuilding and reconciliation among former enemies, based on changes in individual motivation and character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Over the years his work expanded to include people of different religions and none, and in 2001 MRA changed its name to Initiatives of Change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\">International Council<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The International Council is an elected board that provides leadership in line with the goals of Initiatives of Change International and the decisions of the annual Global Assembly.<br><br><strong>International Council Members<\/strong>:<br>Suresh Vazirani (India) <em>President<\/em><br>Mounir Beltaifa (Tunisia\/France)<em>Vice President<\/em> <br>Bill Hamilton (USA) <em>Treasurer<\/em><br>Barry Hart (USA)<br>Yeonyuk Jeong (South Korea)<br>Steven Kimaru (Kenya)<br>Roweida Saleh (Lebanon) <br>Mayur Shah (India)<br>Cecilia (Thembi) Silundika (Zimbabwe\/Canada) <br>Wimarshana Ranasinghe (Sri Lanka)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"320\" src=\"http:\/\/013.elfgenpick.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200211_125524_1-1-1024x320.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200211_125524_1-1-1024x320.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200211_125524_1-1-300x94.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200211_125524_1-1-768x240.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200211_125524_1-1-1536x480.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200211_125524_1-1-2048x640.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Left to right:  Roweida Saleh, Yeonyuk Jeong, Mounir Beltaifa, Barry Hart, Wimarshana Ranasinghe, Cecilia (Thembi) Silundika, Suresh Vazirani, Mayur Shah, Bill Hamilton and Steven Kimaru <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>INITIATIVES OF CHANGE INTERNATIONAL Initiatives of Change International is a non-profit organisation registered in Switzerland, serving the wider lofC movement. Thirty-six national bodies and programmes comprise its formal membership. Each member operates autonomously with a focus on addressing specific local needs. What is Initiatives of Change? Initiatives of Change (IofC) International is a non-profit organization&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/?page_id=84\" class=\"\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">About Us<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-84","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=84"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":482,"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84\/revisions\/482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.annualreport.iofc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=84"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}