About

CIJR is YWAM’s bridge to the United Nations

The Centre for International Justice and Reconciliation (CIJR) is the public policy and advocacy branch of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), England. YWAM England hold special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations since 2003.

The objective of Youth With A Mission England, founded in 1972, is to mobilize and equip individuals to bring help and hope to peoples in places of despair, and to transform the cultural, economic and spiritual lives of people in the UK and in the world, through education, training, relief and development.

The purpose of CIJR is to be a catalyst for change in society through bringing social and economic development with particular interest and involvement in gender issues, human trafficking, poverty alleviation, children at risk, indigenous issues, HIV/AIDS, conflict resolution and peace-building. Members of CIJR work very closely with members of YWAM’s Mercy Ministry International (17,000 staff working in over 160 Nations) and with other NGOs around the world who are doing relief and development projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

One of the aims of CIJR is to promote knowledge of the principles and activities of the United Nations, particularly as they pertain to promoting peace and justice around the world. We are committed to bringing understanding and furthering the United Nations work, particularly disseminating information about the United Nations and its work to our constituency (primarily Christians). We are committed to furthering the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

The work of CIJR also involves analyzing links between religion and culture and looking at how religion shapes attitudes and values that can either help or hinder both the processes of social and economic development and the promotion of human rights. We support the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations mandate for peace.

The motto of CIJR is “Working to create a more just and peaceful world for ALL”

Click here to download a copy of our values.

The work of CIJR is expressed through

I. Prayer
Prayer is our foundation. We pray and actively seek to engage others in prayer in order to hear the God’s vision and guidance for the work we do. Through prayer, we believe, we can influence people and affect the course of events in history.

II. Research
We do in-depth research to increase awareness and understanding on issues of injustice in the world. We do rigorous Bible study to stimulate critical thinking on complex issues of injustice and to make our response to human needs more effective. We want the fruit of our research to serve the family of YWAM. Through research, we believe, God will grant us His wisdom to prescribe solutions to decision makers.

III. Advocacy
Without action beyond words there can be no real justice or reconciliation in the world. We are a bridge to the United Nations for grassroots practitioners in YWAM to engage in advocacy, and also influence government policies. We network and partner with others to create a stronger, more united voice for change. We run training programs and events to equip and mobilize people to get involved in the work of justice and reconciliation. Through advocacy, we believe, God will use us to bring transformation in individuals and in society at large.