ICVA's Mandate

In 1998, after 30 years of acting as an umbrella organisation and representing NGOs from all continents, the 83 member NGOs gave ICVA a new mandate.

Under the new mandate, the ICVA Secretariat (based in Geneva, Switzerland) focuses primarily on the issues and agencies involved in humanitarian and human rights policies and activities. ICVA also facilitates the formation of NGO consortia to address other subjects such as sustainable development.

ICVA Mission Statement

The ICVA membership adopted the mission statement for ICVA at its 12th General Assembly.

Organisational Values

ICVA is committed to act as an instrument for facilitating global NGO work that aims to:

• alleviate human suffering in natural and man-made disasters
  
• protect and promote respect for human rights
  
• strengthen civil society and democracy
  
• uphold social and gender equity
  
• eradicate poverty
  
• promote sustainable development
  

Organisational Aims

• ICVA aims to act as a catalyst and a tool for the accurate, timely and effective exchange of information, concerns, and issues among member NGOs, Geneva-based international humanitarian agencies, and governments working for common objectives.
  

• ICVA aims to strengthen the networks among NGOs and to promote humanitarian principles and sound field practices, so that high quality, coordinated, and effective NGO response and participation are ensured.
  

• ICVA aims to act as a 'broker' for NGO capacity-building, particularly among its members. ICVA facilitates, promotes, and supports capacity-building initiatives to institutions and governments. The purpose of ICVA’s support in developing an advocacy capacity will be to enhance NGO contributions to humanitarian policy-making, especially from Southern and Eastern NGOs.

ICVA Statutes

The ICVA Statutes approved by the 14^th ICVA General Assembly (Geneva, 3-4 February 2009).