International Voluntary Service supports resilience, acts for solidarity not charity, and ensures the participation of all from the grassroots to a global level whilst contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
‘The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030’ (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/)

IVS has since 1920 sought to respond to the prevalent issues of society on a local and global level, at this time in history we are getting closer to a tipping point, our greatest threat that of total climate breakdown, the result of anthropogenic (man-made) climate change. As Capitalism maintains its grip, widespread inequalities and human rights abuses continue in the world today. The SDGs provide an opportunity for the IVS movement to highlight and measure the impact of our work which focuses on peace through international understanding, friendship and co-operation among the people of the world, particularly youth; sustainable development and protection of the environment; recognition of all cultures in their diversity, emphasising the importance of the world’s cultural heritage; human rights, and individual and national liberation; opposition to all forms of social, cultural, political and economic exploitation.

The IVS movement strives for social justice and rejects all forms of oppression and abuse. We will continue to work for a peaceful world where all are treated equally and with respect.