Founded on 25 April 1949 in Austria, and now active in more than 130 countries and territories, our journey has been one of dedication to providing nurturing environments where every child can thrive. This would not have been possible without the support of many contributors.
"Our heartfelt thanks go to our staff members, volunteers, donors and partners who have contributed to this global movement dedicated to upholding and advocating for the rights of children and young people growing up alone," says Dereje Wordofa, President of SOS Children’s Villages International.
To mark the occasion, SOS Children’s Villages releases 75 Years of Impact, a publication that tracks the organization’s impact in the lives of children and young people through our programmes, as well as our impact in communities and our advocacy work to effect broader change. At the same time, we learned from our past and will continue to strengthen our safeguarding and governance to deliver on our purpose, providing safe and nurturing environments.
“As we reflect on the past 75 years and look to the future, it is evident that in our rapidly evolving world, an ever-increasing number of children and young people require protection,” says Angela Rosales, acting CEO and Chief Programme Officer of SOS Children’s Villages International. “It's imperative that we expand our movement to ensure that families at risk of breaking down receive the necessary support to stay together, and that children alone receive the quality care they rightfully deserve.”
We thank again everyone who supported and invite everyone to continue to build on this movement, so that no child grows up alone.
Together, let us - governments, partners, and peers - scale up investments in family strengthening and social protection. By doing so, we ensure that no child faces unnecessary separation from their family.
Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a world where every child and young person grows up with the nurturing and supportive environment they need to become their strongest selves.