Mission statement

“Oxfam’s vision is a just world without poverty, in which people can influence decisions that affect their lives, enjoy their rights, and assume their responsibilities as full citizens, valued and treated equally.”

Size and organisational structure

An international confederation of 17 independent organisations working together in 94 countries, Oxfam International has a council of trustees responsible for the charity’s governance, assets and activities and its constitution. Worldwide in 2012 it had10,230 staff; 47,097 volunteers; income of 918m (639m spent on programme implementation, management, campaigning and emergencies; 144m on trading; 77m on fundraising and marketing; 40m on management and admin).

Sources of funding

Institutional donors such as the UN, the EU and governments, public donations and fundraising appeals, corporations, and via trading income from its shop network.

Leadership and key personnel

Winnie Byanyima, executive director (from April)

Nitin Desai, chair of trustees (from April)

Brief history

In 1942 the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief was set up to provide relief to civilians affected by the second world war. In 1948 it opened its first charity shop at 17 Broad Street, Oxford (still in use today). In 1954 it began work in Africa. In 1995 the Oxfam International confederation was formed.

Campaign sectors

Women’s rights; food for all, sustainable agriculture, climate change; health, education and aid; arms control and people’s rights during times of conflict and disaster.    

Campaigning highlights

2011: Launched the international Grow campaign, aiming to help create a world where everyone always has enough to eat.

2000s: Make Trade Fair campaign, to change the rigged rules and double standards of world trade. Oxfam was a key partner in the Drop the Debt, Make Poverty History and Ban Landmines campaigns, and in the fair trade movement.

1970s: Biggest ever aid package into Bangladesh; campaigning against apartheid in South Africa; first humanitarian access into Cambodia following the fall of the Khmer Rouge.

This profile is part of Ethical Corporation's special management briefing on activist NGOs

EC Newsdesk  ngo news  NGO Profile  Oxfam  stakeholder engagement 

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