Service Civil International (SCI) is a voluntary service organisation and peace movement with 37 branches and groups worldwide. The organisation was founded in 1920. SVIT-Ukraine became SCI group in 2004.
We base our work on the following values that color all the work of SCI:
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Volunteering - in the sense of acting out of self-initiative, without seeking material reward and for the benefit of civil society, as a method and a statement for social change, whilst never competing with paid labor nor seeking to contribute to strike-breaking
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Non-violence as a principle and a method
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Human Rights respect for individuals as stated in the universal declaration of Human Rights
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Solidarity international solidarity for a more just world and solidarity between human beings at all levels
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Respect for the Environment and the ecosystem of which we are a part and upon which we are dependent
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Inclusion - to be open and inclusive to all individuals who share the aims and objectives of the movement, without regard to gender, race, color, religion, nationality, social status or political views and any other possible grounds for discrimination
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Empowerment empowering people to understand and act to transform the social, cultural and economic structures that affect their lives at all levels
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Co-operation with local communities as well as other local, national and international actors to strengthen the positive potential within civil society as a whole
We believe that all the people are capable of living together with mutual respect and without recourse to any form of violence to solve conflicts. We organize international volunteer projects all over the world because we know that peace can only be built if people with different backgrounds and cultures learn to co-operate and work together.
SCI has consultative status with the Council of Europe, operational relations with UNESCO and is a member of:
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CCIVS: Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service Organisations
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YFJ: Youth Forum Jeunesse
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AVSO: Association of Voluntary Service Organisations
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UNITED for Intercultural Action
In 1987, SCI was awarded the title of Messenger of Peace given by the United Nations, in acknowledgment of its efforts to promote peace and understanding.