The Christian Initiative Romero (CIR) is an incorporated association based in Münster, Germany.[3] supporting labour law and human rights in Central American countries.[4] Its core area of responsibility consists in the support of grassroots organizations in Central America. The CIR also runs campaigns in Germany and promotes education on developmental topics[3] with the aim of building bridges between these developing countries and Germany.[2] It is named after the Roman Catholic bishop Óscar Romero, and commits to his fight against injustice and his support for the poor, the marginalised and the persecuted.[1]
| Founded | 1981[1] |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
Area served | El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras[2] |
| Services | Development cooperation, campaigns, education and awareness raising, human rights, international understanding[1] |
| Revenue | €1,834,230.51 (2010)[1] |
| Website | www |
Campaigns
editThe CIR has been involved with a number of initiatives and campaigns, including:
- the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), dedicated to improving the working conditions in the garment industry and calls for minimum standards and independent monitoring systems[5][6]
- Corporate Accountability (CorA), a network of organisations in Germany that demand companies respect human rights and fulfil internationally accepted social and environmental standards
- ProNATs, Pro los Niños y Adolescentes Trabajadores (For Working Children and Adolescents), a network of organisations and individuals that fight against the exploitation of working children
- Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C), founded in 2004 by NGOs, syndicates, public institutions and the German Coffee Union, aims to set social and ecological standards for a globally responsible coffee production[4]
Activities
editThe CIR supports about 90 projects in Central America every year. These projects focus on women's self-determination, respect for human rights, promoting social rights of the native population, dignified working conditions, respect for and support of working children, ecology, and a political strengthening of the civil society. The CIR also provides emergency help when natural disasters strike. It organizes protest activities if human rights are violated, and cooperates with other networks and organisations to achieve its goals.
The CIR investigates areas like the garment industry or human and children's rights in Central America.[6] The results of the research projects are published in brochures and leaflets, and the CIR also publishes a free quarterly bulletin about current political and social issues in Central America.
The work of the CIR is financed by membership fees and donations, financial contributions from churches and private foundations, public grants and contributions from the Romero Foundation.
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Suchergebnisse: Christliche Initiative Romero e.V." Deutsches Zentralinstitut für soziale Fragen. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ a b "About us". Christliche Initiative Romero e.V. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Catholic Studies Database – Christliche Initiative Romero e.V. (CIR) (Christian Initiative Romero (CIR))". The Catholic University of America. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ a b "4C Association: Albrecht Schwarzkopf". 4c-coffeeassociation.org. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ "Open Factory is put to the test: TATONKA provides proof of its high awareness of responsibility". tatonka.com. 23 October 2012. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ a b "2006 World Cup: CCC Demands Justice for Sportswear Workers". cleanclothes.org. 1 October 2006. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2013.