In Zambia, Diakonia has been operational since 2003 working with various Civil Society Organisations. Diakonia is the joint development organization of the Uniting Church in Sweden and the Swedish Alliance Mission. The organization was formed in 1966 under the name Frikyrkan Hjälper (Swedish Free Churches Aid) in response to a disastrous famine in India. It refers to diakoni, the Greek word for service or care. The term occurs in the Christian tradition to describe the task of the Christian congregation to distribute common resources fairly. Diakonia has regional offices in Africa, Asia, the Middle East/North Africa and Latin America, as well as local offices in most of the 28 countries where Diakonia has partner organisations. Diakonia’s vision, mission and goal are based on theological reflection and the universality of human rights. In Zambia, Diakonia has operated since 2003 supporting various local civil society partners working with the five thematic areas of (i) Democracy, (ii) Social and Economic Justice (iii) Gender (iv) Human Rights and (v) Peace and Conflict Justice. Diakonia works for a just, equal and sustainable world. Diakonia’s mission and overall goal is to change unfair structures – political, economic, social and cultural – that generate poverty and inequality, as well as oppression and violence. We work with individuals, local partner organizations and other actors to fulfil the right to a life in dignity for all people, regardless of their age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, political conviction, religion or sexual orientation and identity. Diakonia’s activities are based on Christian values, and the work is based on cooperation with people of different religions and with different outlooks on life. Diakonia’s interpretation of the Christian message is that it is in clear harmony with rights-based work and human rights. Work In Zambia
In contributing to the improvement of lives of rights holders, this strategy will geographically focus on the rural parts of the country, namely: Southern, Western, North Western and Luapula provinces which have the highest levels of poverty. Diakonia Zambia works with well established / existing as well as new strategic Partners, organizations, with demonstrated experiences and high levels of skills to implement projects. The partner portfolio has a mix of weak and relatively new NGOs (who are usually more representative of the needs of rights holders), as well as experienced NGOs, Faith Based Organizations, Community Based Organizations, activists, academia, think tanks and media working at the local and national levels. The selection of partners is guided by those with physical presence in the areas of operation and them bringing on board a wealth of experience in human rights, democracy, climate change, gender and feminism. Further, Diakonia strives to work with movements and partners running campaigns as well as partners who are more radical in pushing for change. Diakonia in Zambia rides on its regional and international network connection and Head office programmes/projects for shared learning and to create synergies between local partners and foreign partners while at local level existing networks such as Act Alliance, Zambia Tax Platform and Alternative Mining Indabas which are supported together with local partners at local, provincial and National levels.
