Redd Barna Annual Report 2011

photo: Redd Barna

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

, 55

million children were reached in 2011!

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

COMMITTED DONOR BACKBONE AND LIFE SAVER You may have wondered what your donation as a Redd Barna committed donor actually means in the larger scheme. I will now try to explain this.

The committed donor is the backbone in the economic possibility Redd Barna has to reach many children. With a regular contribution to Redd Barna every month you do not help just one child, but many children. You enable some of the most vulnerable children in the world to have their rights fulfilled to schooling, food, health services and a safe upbringing. As a committed donor, you provide Redd Barna with necessary predictability. Your donation makes it possible for us to plan and execute long term investments. Viable solutions often demand long term priority. Without your support we could not have achieved the positive viable changes we make for children every year. In 2011 alone Save the Children International reached over 35

million children. You make it possible for us to help the most vulnerable and exposed children.

You contribute by giving a voice to children around the world, thus ensuring that to ensure that they are being heard. These children are engaged in their communities, and they make their authorities responsible.

With the help of our sponsors, more than 10 million children in countries plagued by war and conflict have been given better schools over the last five years. The school provides them not only with valuable knowledge, but also gives them protection and hope for the future.

You are the lifesaver. In 2011 alone you contributed to saving lives at the Horn of Africa, where food and schools were given to more than three million children struck by drought.

You can feel safe about your donations; they are used sensibly in order to improve the life condition of the children. This year’s annual report fully documents the results of your contribution.

Redd Barna greatly appreciate your contribution!

Tove Romsaas wang Secretary General

Why I am a committed donor When and how did you become a committed donor for Redd Barna?

In 1995 I decided to become a commited donor through a campaign at work.

When and how did you become a committed donor for Redd Barna?

I decided to become a regular sponsor the day I obtained a permanent job in 1995.

Then I knew that I could support Redd Barna financially over a longer period.

Fredrik Luihn Age: 46 år Profession: Editor-in-chief

Why did you choose to support Redd Barna?

Children are often unable to support themselves and are at a stage in their lives that is significant for their future.The fact that the organization has a vision to help children was the main reason why I chose to become a Redd Barna-committed donor.

Why did you choose to support Redd Barna?

A strong desire to help, especially the smallest and weakest.

Anita Karlsen Age: 46 år Profession: Project manager

Do you feel like you are helping?

Yes. I feel confident in Redd Barna and their ability to distribute the donor’s contributions in the best possible way.

Will you join our team? Call 22 99 09 00 or visit our web at www.reddbarna.no/fadder

SOLUCHANA

LEGESU

WOSHENE

ASMITA

MEYLING

GET TO KNOW SOME CHILDREN As a committed donor for Redd Barna, you are supporting ALL children that are a part of our work. At the same time, you are invited to follow closely the lives of one of the seven children presented on this page.These lovely children represent all the children who Redd Barna works for: Asmita (11) from Nepal, Ever JousĂŠ (12) from Nicaragua, Meyling (8) from Nicaragua,Woshene (14) from Ethiopia, Legesu (9) from Ethiopia, Soluchana (7) from Nepal and Hiwot (9) from Ethiopia.

What happens to the sponsored children when they grow up? Read the inspiring and touching story on pages 6-11.

Ever JosuĂŠ

HIWOT

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2011 From the board’s statement

• In 2011, Redd Barna Norway reached about 5, 5 million children with our work. Redd Barna has the benefit of great reliance from our supporters – members, children, commercial companies and authorities.

• The largest focused areas in 2011 were education, protection of children and humanitarian responses/aid work. In Norway, the struggle to fight violence against children and work for underage asylum seekers dominated our work.

• In 2011, Redd Barna gave humanitarian responses to crises and catastrophes, including the earth quake and tsunami in Japan and the drought on the Horn of Africa. The Redd Barna-supporters significantly helped our work in these disaster areas and in other emergency situations.

• In 2011 Redd Barna worked actively to improve awareness about the consequences for children resulting from climate changes.

• The 2011 Redd Barna Conference of Children’s Rights pointed towards children’s rights to protest against rights being violated in Norway.

• In 2011, Redd Barna started the work of transferring the administration of our land programs to Save the Children International.

• The annual Redd Barna peace celebration was held at the Nobel Peace Center with all three Peace Price recipients present.

• All the reports from program countries show a significant increase in the number of children who start school, but at the same time the number of children who quit school is decreasing. Last year, Redd Barna supported more preschool children than the previous year.

• In Laos, Uganda, Nicaragua, Ethiopia and Cambodia, Redd Barna has contributed with schools in local communities which had no schools previously.

• The effort in creating good governance for children is one of Redd Barna’s main areas of work, and in 2011 Redd Barna supported 17 program countries, aiding them to use the Children’s Convention to promote the rights of children.

• In Norway the Please disturb-campaign against violence towards children was brought to successful conclusion, but the work continues through “disturbing weeks” which are arranged every year locally.

NET INCOME Financial Statement (in thousands NOK) Working income Membership income

2011

2010

787

1 429

GRANT INCOME

• Norwegian government

187 078 190 676 • Other Norwegian non-public sources (including UN/EU) 53 977 44 665 • Foundations 13 829 24 394 • Associated organizations and NGOs 94 245 111 180 • Others 12 081 15 040

Total acquired funding 361 210 385 955 Collected Funding and Gifts

• Sponsors 171 579 158 716 • Children 3 461 4 606 • Other private donations 55 417 61 615 • Industry and commerce 23 687 28 710 Total funding and donations 254 144 253 647 Other Revenue (products) 4 490 6 731 Net Financial Items

4 483 6 379 Total Financial AND Acquired Income

625 115 654 140

OPERATING COSTS

Costs to the organizations objectives

• Protection of children 95 835 106 379 • Nourishment 3 861 3 959 • Health 16 629 17 918 • HIV/AIDS 14 511 27 779 • Humanitarian Work 70 659 76 943 • Program support 80 870 63 798 • Ensuring livelihood 33 204 15 769 • Children’s rights 35 337 36 801 • Education 163 041 196 734 TOTAL 513 947 546 080 Costs of Acquiring Funds 59 435 67 960 Administrative Costs

11 097 9 273 Sum acquiring funds 584 479 623 313

Annual Result

40 636 30 827

Great support from the committed donors Redd Barna has never received as many donations from individuals as in 2011.

– Our donors can be confident that the money is used to give millions of children a better life, says Chief of Strategy and Finance, Yngve Seierstad Stokke. The income from individuals makes out 37% of Redd Barna’s total 2011 revenue, which was 625 million Kroner. In comparison, about 30% comes from the public sector, such as Norad.

– This shows that Redd Barna is trusted and has great support from the Norwegian population. The income

from individual donations increased by 2% from the previous year. The profits from the committed donors increased as much as 8% to a total of 171 million, says Seierstad Stokke. By the end of 2011 Redd Barna had 80 685 committed donors and more than 20 000 regular supporters.

Redd Barna is a member the The Norwegian Control Committee for Fundraising in Norway (Innsamlingskontrollen).

If you have any questions about Redd Barna’s work or the organization’s economy, please send an email to kundesenteret@reddbarna.no

Redd Barna has started the task of transferring the responsibility for the work in our program countries to Save the Children International.This process ended for the countries in Asia in 2011, and will continue for the other continents in 2012.

Redd Barna is represented with own representatives in the following countries: Africa: Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Latin-America: Nicaragua Europe: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Russia.

Redd Barna also has operations in the following countries: Africa: Angola, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia and Mozambique.

Asia: Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in addition the occupied areas of Palestine.

Latin America: The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Mexico. Europe: Kosovo and Romania.

“Our supporters and donors shall know that the independent organisation Redd Barna spends the funds correctly. We have good routines for how to use money, and several control bodies.”

Chief of Strategy and Finance,Yngve Seierstad Stokke This is how we used our money in 2011:

n 87,9 percent went to Redd Barna’s work for children n 12,1 percent went to administration and fund requisition

See full financial report at www.reddbarna.no

We spent money in (not including Norway):

n n n n n

Africa 48 % Asia 25 % Latin Amerika 15 % Europa og Midt-Østen 11 % Globally 1 %

This is what we spend our money on:

n n n n n n n n

Education 38 % Protection 22 % Nourishment 1 % Health 4 % HIV and AIDS 3 % Emergencies 16 % Livelihood 8 % Children’s rights 8%

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

FROM CHILD WORKER TO BACHELOR: Mesfin is the first weaver in Ethiopia achieving a university grade.

What happened?

Every year millions of children’s lives are changed after meeting Redd Barna.

Read the amazing story of Mesfin from Ethiopia – one of the many children sponsored by Redd Barna.

TEXT: ELLEN HOFPLASS PHotoS : INGE LIE Research and documentation : Tesfaye Diressie

SORE FINGERS: Sharp threads cut wounds in small fingers after ten hours of weaving.

POOR WEAVER FAMILY: Mule Kelbo and his wife Dechuche were earlier dependent on the work of their sons Mesfin (right) and Asmare (left) to survive. But with support from Redd Barna and MCDP, they could gradually also let their sons go to school. − Education is the key to everything! says Mesfin Mule. A project supported by Redd Barna has turned his and other children’s lives upside down.

Behind the large numbers of children who have acquired a better life through Redd Barna, we find children like Mesfin: children who develop their different abilities and talents, and a desire to change the society they live in.

It is these children you support as a committed sponsor.

For almost ten years we have followed the life of Mesfin Mule and seen how he has developed through hard work. First as a weaver.

And after Redd Barna entered the picture: as a school student and children’s leader in a project in three slum areas in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Mesfin has made a remarkable journey. Today he has a bachelors-degree in business, and is the first weavers to receive a university education.

wheel occupy almost all space in the family’s only living room. Mesfin’s parents belong to the ethnic group called dorze, which for generations has earned a living by weaving. Like so many others, Mule Kelbo and his wife Dechuche moved from the countryside in southern Ethiopia to the capital in the hope of a better life. But poverty followed them. They have had to send two children back to relatives in the countryside, where both of them died.

Now they lay their trust in their young sons.

They are strict with their young boys: in their culture, children shall remain obedient and do as they are told by their parents. If Mesfin attempts to contradict them, he risks a beating.

The small child spins the wheel long into the night. Sometimes he is so tired that he falls asleep on the weaver’s chair.

The invisible child slaves 1998: Mesfin has turned ten years. The local organization Multi Purpose Community Development Project (MCDP), headed by Mulu Haile, has started working in the slum area trying to fight poverty. They seek out the community when its members, in concert with old tradition, are gathered for a coffee ceremony, where they chat and drink coffee. Here they try to reach out to the people and ask about what they are missing. They also talk with the children. The idea of consulting the children came from Redd Barna, which has become MCDP’s partner-organization.

Many child workers – shoe shiners, street vendors, child minders and grain stampers – are visible in the city. But there is also a large group of children that no one sees: the child

COMMITED sponsor Mesfin is one out of millions of children who have got their lives changed through the work of Redd Barna and by the support of our committed sponsors.

Mulu Haile, leader MCDP. mcdp n Multipurpose Community Development Project (MCDP) was established in 1998, and is one of Redd Barna’s many partner organizations. n Works in three slum areas in Addis Ababa and in Chencha in south Ethiopia. n Goal: to strengthen local communities and protect children’s rights. n MCDP has managed to stop trafficking of children from Southern Ethiopia, and also to stop the harmful child labor in the weaving mills in Addis Abeba.

PARTNER-ORGANIZATION

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The hard childhood 1997: A small, skinny boy stretches his tiny bare, feet down from the weaver’s chair, but they do not reach the floor. Mesfin is nine years old, and his father thinks he is now old enough to weave and help his parents financially. His little brother Asmare, who is only six, takes over the spinning wheel and starts weaving.

The family home is in the middle of one of the worst slum areas in Addis Ababa. The family supports itself by weaving and selling the sheer light fabric which is used in the Ethiopian national costumes and in shawls.

The old, traditional loom and the spinning

SORE FEET: Mesfin must get used to painful blisters and troublesome flea bites.

The weaving is done with bare feet.

Redd Barna cooperates often with local or national organizations.

They are based on local enthusiasm and knowledge, and their quality is constantly being monitored.

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

I am grateful for the support from Redd Barna and people in Norway. You have contributed to making a change in this country.

You can see yourself the transformation in Mesfin. We see the same change in many other children.

Mulu Haile

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THE CHILD LEADER MESFIN: Ten years old, Mesfin was elected leader for one of the 30 children’s groups that were organized in the slum project to register and represent the children’s points of view as well as their needs.

After some time, he also became the head of all the children’s groups. Thus he contributed to making great changes for the children in the slum areas. (Mesfin to the right in red jacket and his brother Asmare in red sweater)

weavers. Some of them, like Mesfin, weave at home with their families. Others are like slaves to their employers. MCDP and Redd Barna find as many as 730 children who work in weaving mills where they are brutally exploited as cheap labor. Many of the children are victims of human trafficking and originate from the countryside in the south. They are all by themselves and are at the mercy of their employers. They sit by the looms 15 hours a day, they are given little and bad food, they have open wounds on their hands and feet, cut by the sharp threads, they also get eye problems after weaving for hours in bad lighting.

They do not have time off for school or time to play around. Some of them are as young as seven to eight years old.

The employers are offered a partnership with the MCDP to improve their own situation. In return they must reduce the children’s working hours and give them time off to attend school and have some time to play.

MCDP establishes an alternative day school and evening classes for children who work, where children can catch up with lost schooling and then continue with regular school.

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Mesfin is given new opportunities 1998: Mesfin manages to convince his parents that it is important for him to attend school to acquire a better future. So they let him have some time off and tighten their minimal income to purchase school appliances. The MCDP also supports him with books and other material. Mesfin feels he has won a great victory and quickly he proves to be a good student.

1999: The children in the neighborhood are now forming local groups with their own leaders. Mesfin is elected leader of his group, and his little brother Asmare joins in. The children gather every two weeks to discuss issues that concern them, like child labor. They are taught about a number of matters, from hygiene to HIV/AIDS and children’s rights.

Mesfin is able to involve the other children.

He is rhetorical, quick, has a natural authority and shows signs of leader talent already at ten. His parents now also give him some time off from the weaving to be the leader of the children’s group. The workdays are long for Mesfin. He is up at six in the morning to help his mother baking and selling bread on the street. He then weaves till he goes to school and continues weaving after he comes home, long into the night. To be as efficient as possible with his school work, Mesfin does his homework while his teacher walks around the class room and when they have to change the thread on the loom at home.

Mesfin craves for knowledge. When the MCDP, with the help form Redd Barna, builds a library with a reading hall for children, he goes there as often as he can to find extra reading material. The children in the slum areas live in tight spaces which are noisy due to thin walls. Children therefore flock to

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

My secret for success is education. This is the key to change. It changes everything.

Mesfin

PROUD FATHER AND SON: – I never thought that it was possible for my children to get this far and I am immensely happy that it has happened, says Mule Kelbo today. Mesfin is glad that he can now support his parents financially and give something back to them.

Human trafficking – children being sold by adults – is a global phenomenon in strong growth.

UN estimates that proximately 1.2 million children are victims of trafficking yearly.

Child labor An estimate of 216 million children are working, many under harmful conditions. Redd Barna works to end harmful child labor, and to ensure the right of working children to attend school.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS UN’s convention of children’s rights is Redd Barna’s most important tool. The convention of children’s rights secures the rights of every single child.

Violence and abuse Violence and sexual abuse happen at home, at school, where children work and where they live. These children have the right to get help, support and protection.

Without education, there will be no development. mesfin

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Human trafficking

the library to be able to do their homework in a peaceful place and to get access to books.

The child leader 2000: Mesfin is eager to help the children in the spinning mills. He and the other children go door to door and hand out information about children’s rights, trying to talk to the children about the issue. Mesfin feels that he can contribute a lot since he is a weaver himself and knows the problems well.

Gradually he also becomes engaged in developing a model which will secure the children proper influence and make them a part of the MCDP and their projects. After a while there are 30 youth groups in neighborhoods with all together 900-1000 children. Every group has a leader; and nine leaders are now elected to a head group whose goal is to promote children’s experiences and pass on input to the MCDP. Since he is elected leader of this group as well, Mesfin becomes a significant figure in the organization.

2003: Influenced by Redd Barna, the MCDP now involves the children in a number of matters, including planning, implementation and evaluation of their activities. Mesfin participates in the evaluation of Redd Barna’s programs. “This is how we can learn about democracy”, he says. Mesfin and the other child leaders are also given training in different topics such as management, conflict resolution, prevention of violence and abuse, English and computer skills, and they bring this knowledge back to the youth groups. Mulu is proud of the child friendly structure in the organization: “Children sometimes have bet-

BACHELOR IN ECONOMICS: Mesfin studied at university, and proudly walks in front of the new bachelors at Arbaminch University in 2010. ter ideas than adults. They enlighten us about a lot of matters, and this is very helpful. We have to change the culture that ignores children. If we give them a change to listen, talk and discuss, they will show what they are capable of. They are our investment in the future”, she says enthusiastically in 2003.

Mesfin starts to make a name for himself 2004: Mesfin is trusted in the organization and, as the first child in the project, is allowed to travel to a conference about child labor outside of Ethiopia. In 2004-05 he travels to South Africa and India to build relations and participate in the regional association working against damaging child labor. “Mesfin is a great leader and role model for the other children”, Mulu brags when he comes back with new knowledge and insight to improve the groups’ work.

2007: A new child and youth center is opened, built by the support of Redd Barna.

Here Mesfin, and his leader group, have their own office with computer access. Mesfin moves cardboard boxes with papers into the building long before the plaster has dried and believes better working conditions will make the children stronger in the fight against damaging child labor. Mesfin himself is soon leaving the role as leader since he has turned 18.

In the years he has acted as a child leader, Mesfin also has obtained great results at school. He is now ready for university. He knows he will study, but what? Law, Sociology or Economy? As an advocate, he can work for children’s rights. As a sociologist, he can perhaps obtain a job in a humanitarian or-

BANK MANAGER MESFIN: Mesfin was awarded a gold ring from the Head at university for his engagement outside his studies, including that of being the leader of the Student Union. After his excellent Bachelor’s Degree he immediately landed a challenging job as division manager in Addis Saving and Credit Institution Share Company. He thrives and feels that he does an important job. But he has got higher ambitions, aiming for a PhD in economics … ganization. And as an economist he will have excellent job opportunities, since Ethiopia has a great need for people educated in business.

Mesfin looks back 2012: In a naked office block in Addis Ababa, with the Ethiopian flag well visible on the office desk, sits Mesfin, a mature, young economist, with strict horn-rimmed spectacles, busy with today’s customers. For the second year in a row, Mesfin is in charge of the service branch in the government-run saving and loan institution Addis Saving and Credit Intuition Share Company. He is in charge of the office’s activities and considers the applications from different business groups.

– Have you achieved what you dreamed about now?

Mesfin smiles and hesitates for a while before answering.

– My dream is to continue working as an economist. But I only have a Bachelor’s degree; I aim for a Master’s, and then also a PhD… No less. The hard-working and determined Mesfin wants to reach the top. But he has already gone a long way – thanks to a Redd Barna-supported project.

– What did it mean to you being allowed to participate, and later being given the responsibility of leading the project?

– Children’s participation has been the key to it all! By participating I learned so many things that have been very important to me. I developed leader skills and was able to make life better for over 900 children who were working. The fact that I was elected leader of the student union at my university was a re-

sult of leader skills I had developed. It has also been important for me to obtain the manager position I have here at the bank.

– If you think ten years back in time, do you see any changes in your local community?

– Oh yes! At that time one could see a large number of children being exploited in different types of work. Now most of them are at school! It is a big difference indeed. The attitudes towards children have also changed, not at least thanks to the children being involved in the project.

Today Mesfin lives at home with his parents in order to financially assist them and his brother. A place for himself has to wait.

Personally Mesfin financed his education with loans, but now he supports his brother Asmare who has started studying accounting, also at the Arbaminch University.

– Why is education so important?

– Education in the most important thing in the world, Mesfin says as he raises his arms.

– We, the young, are going to change Ethiopia, because we are given an education. Ethiopia is a great country. Our economy is growing and our standard of living with it. This is important for the future development.

– What has Redd Barna meant for this development?

– Redd Barna has played an important role.

The organization has contributed in changing people’s awareness, has educated children and adults and has improved the lives of poor families and children. I would like to use the opportunity to thank everyone in Norway who has contributed to changing the lives of children in Ethiopia, Mesfin concludes.

children’s participation Redd Barna facilitates for children’s voices to be heard, and support children in matters regarding their lives and rights.

Redd Barna also makes it clear who has the responsibility to fulfill the children’s rights. education Education saves lives. Schooling does not only protect the children, but also gives knowledge for avoiding poverty, how to obtain good health and gives hope for the future.

The work of Redd Barna in Ethiopia n Redd Barna has worked in Ethiopia since 1969. n In 2011, Redd Barna reached 2,1 million children directly with our work in Ethiopia. n Redd Barna fights for children’s rights to be respected and complied and for good governance for children. We also secure children’s rights to education and development. n P rotect children against violence, abuse, lack of caring and exploitation. n Secure aid for children affected by hunger, and reduce the risk of new catastrophes. n Protect children against the negative effects of HIV and aids.

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Redd Barna has a large and dynamic Norwegian program which works for better conditions for children in Norway. The youth organization PRESS also arranges several activities. Here are some glimpses from 2011.

photo: Redd Barna/Nevruz Ebru Aksu

2011

Activities in Norway

Summit meeting: At the stage during the celebration: Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang, Her Royal Highness Princesses Mette-Marit, Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman from Jemen and Leymah Gbowee from Liberia, hosts Anisha Ali Noor and Martin Wahl, Peace Prize laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from Liberia and Redd Barna Secretary General Tove R. Wang.

Peace Prize that warmed The meeting between the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureates and children warmed many a hearts.

The three female role models, who have fought hard for women’s and children’s rights, had a lot to talk about with the 200 knowledgeable, excited Norwegian school

Increasing number of engaged members Redd Barna has a steady growth of active members who are engaged in attempts to improve the situation of asylum seeking children who live in government homes for refugees in Norway, or have acquired settlement in Norway. 400 to 500 active volunteers meet children regularly in refugee homes or in communities. We have a partnership with the Department of Integration and Diversity which supports our efforts with settled refugee children. Positive results of an evaluation of the cooperation led to a new agreement for 2012.

children who were very well prepared for the meeting. The Redd Barna Peace Prize celebration is made by and for children.

This time it was seventh-graders from Sagene elementary school that planned the celebration which took place at the Nobel Peace Prize Center. The children wanted to

surprise the price recipients in their own very special way, and the winners were given a warm welcome.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said that the most important thing for her after years of war and conflict has been to make children smile again.

“Cooking book” Children have rights, they say, but how do we teach children about their own rights? In 2011, Redd Barna published a “cooking book” about children’s rights. This is a pamphlet for kindergartens and pre schools about children’s rights. It includes methodical plans, songs, toys and exercises designed to help children understanding their rights in new ways. The activities are adapted to children in kindergartens and pre schools, and come with a nice poster which illustrates children’s rights. The poster will be digitalized in 2012 and is offered as digital educational material for the youngest children.

photo: Redd Barna/phillip crabtree

This happened also in 2011... n Redd Barna was one of the organizations behind the nationwide refugee campaign “No human is illegal”. n Redd Barna made a child friendly version of the comments from the UN Child Committee. n Redd Barna contributed to the government’s work on a parliament bill regarding refugee children, which was postponed from 2011 to 2012. n A report from Redd Barna about how child services can approach vulnerable children in a positive and good manner has become a part of the syllabus for child welfare studies at Oslo and Akershus University College. n The Eglantyne Jebb Award (named after the founder of the organization) of 2011 went to the NRK’s show Supernytt, a news program for children.

NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD: From left Arne Sandnes, Åge Wifstad (deputy) Ann-Cristin Gabrielsen (deputy), Ina Bøe, Hege N. Kristoffersen, Ida Svantorp, Anne-Kristine Ivan, Nils Øveraas, Tirill Sjøvoll, Kirsti Coward and Borger Lenth. Erik Keiserud was not precent.

n As many as 140 participants from the entire country attended Redd Barna’s annual seminar focusing on refugees, which was a new record.

New “brooms” in Redd Barna

n Disturbance week – The Redd Barna campaign against violence and abuse – engaged a number of volunteers, and was spread out through 25 local events.

More than 130 members from the entire country met for debate and discussion at the Redd Barna national convention which was held in Kristiansand during the fall of 2011. Redd Barna is a member-controlled, democratic organization.

Amongst other issues, the national convention chooses members for the executive board and decides the plan of action for the organization. As an example, the convention decided on a nationwide campaign in 2012-13 where the situation and rights of asylum seekers and refugee children is to be enlightened.

For the second consecutive year, PRESS has awarded the Golden Barbie to the company that is best at making youth feel bad about themselves. The campaign is an effort to make children aware about unhealthy beauty ideals and the gimmicks of the commercial industry. More than 1500 teenagers voted for Jack & Jones, who won for their use of sex and gender stereotypes in their campaign “Fitness Club”. PRESS is pleased with the support and media attention that the campaign attracted.

n Children’s rights breakfast – a forum for knowledge, reflection and debate about children’s rights – started in May. photo: christine vollan/press

This years Golden Barbie

n 25 adult volunteers in the Redd Barna Internet Corps held lectures about “internet sense” all over the country.

n Lars Saabye Christiansen wrote a book for Redd Barna at Christmas, while Fam Irvoll designed bedclothes. n Petter Northug was not only the king of the world championship, but also won gold for Redd Barna by donating 440 000 Kroner of his award to the organization. n IKEA and Redd Barna cooperated with a stuffed animal campaign before Christmas which gave 2000 stuffed animals to children living in refugee shelters in Norway.

UNWANTED: The leader of PRESS, Torunn Wigum Frøseth, presented the prize to the company Jack & Jones.

n PRESS helped keep focus on the conditions of children in refugee shelters with several organized actions in front of Parliament and the Royal Palace.

photo: Redd Barna

REDD BARNA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2011

New thinking: Redd Barna is thinking new and has created a unique cooperation between businesses, organizations and schools in the Bengalese textile industry. Here, the child laborers now see a better future.

Closer cooperation with industry and commerce There is a steady increase of businesses that are taking responsibility, both locally and internationally. Today the business sector is working more strategically in taking on more community responsibility. Its contribution is becoming increasingly important for Redd Barna.

Redd Barna and the business sector share the common goal of contributing to a viable and better world for children, and they have mutual benefits by working together.

– Many of our associates respond that our cooperation with Redd Barna is an important motivating factor that gives our employers pride. Proud employees choose to stay in our company and they do a great job. I think many businesses underestimate the internal motivation that working with a humanitarian organization creates, says Tove R. Wang, Secretary General of Redd Barna.

Many types of contributions Humanitarian commitment comes in many forms. Employees can contribute by donating some of their salary through Redd Barna Salary Give. Some companies also arrange computer courses, homework help, sport events or excursions for refugee children.

Companies with specialized expertise have also engaged themselves with their skills in chosen projects, something which enables Redd Barna to work more efficiently. Both Accenture and BDO contribute to Redd Barna with pro bono-work and financial support. The Work2Learn-project in Bangladesh, which, among many companies, the Varner Group and Princess, is engaged in, displays a new and exciting partnership with Redd Barna and the business sector.

– The textile industry has a great challenge securing that children are not the victims of child labor by their suppliers. The Work2Learn-project is an example how Redd Barna as a children’s rights organization can contribute as an independent, critical advisor with our competence regarding children’s rights, says Tove R. Wang. Redd Barna provides information and knowledge, and creates

a capacity to support businesses that desire to take children’s rights seriously. Every teenager who has graduated from the program has been employed afterwards.

Many of our partners support the work Redd Barna does for education, a central priority to improve children’s lives. Clas Ohlson builds pre-schools in Nepal while Byggmakker, cooperating with Redd Barna, has built a new school in Cambodia every year since 2008. Hydro has been an important supporter for many years, and was also the company that started the Salary Giving-concept in 1986.

Accenture, Clas Ohlson, Hydro, BDO and Byggmakker are the key supporters of Redd Barna.

The results are crucial Redd Barna wants more businesses to engage themselves. The engagement will vary from business to business, differing according to size and type of activity. Redd Barna offers its cooperation to different businesses, and this is adapted to reflect their abilities and wishes. Some businesses can only support financially while others also can contribute within different fields of competence.

We thank our main corporate partners

Byggmakker supports our work by building a school, and supports our work in general.

BDO supports our work with education and our catastrophe fund, as well as donating pro bono work.

Goals and results in 2011

125 000 000 children

Together with our 29 international sister organizations, Redd Barna reached in 2011 more than 125 million children in 120 countries. This makes us the world’s largest independent movement for children.

International Save the Children’s goals to 2015:

Through its support to Redd Barna, Hydro enables children to grow up in sustainable communities.

Accenture supports our work with vocational training and our catastrophe fund, in addition to contributing with pro bono work.

School n That each child, anywhere in the world, receives education of good quality, and that many more children have an early and positive start at school.

Results in 2011: 10 million children were reached by Save the Children’s school projects in 2011. There is a strong increase in projects in Zimbabwe and Ivory Coast, while there has been a corresponding decline in Egypt.

Health Clas Ohlson supports Save the Children’s work to improve the education of children in Nepal, in addition to our CSR center in China.

We thank our partners

n T o meet the Millennium Development Goal number four, which states that child mortality will be reduced by two thirds by 2012? n To ensure that children affected by HIV and AIDS get the care and treatment they need.

Results in 2011: A total of 17 million children were covered by Save the Children’s many health projects, both within the HIV / AIDS work and in general health related to the “Every One”- campaign.

aid n T o become the world’s largest relief organization for children. n To protect the lives of 29 million children through risk reduction, prompt action and by building local capacity in vulnerable communities.

Results in 2011: We were involved in 53 humanitarian crises around the world, including both natural disasters and armed conflicts. 7.6 million children received emergency aid.

Children’s rights n We want more governments to take specific responsibility for fulfilling children’s rights in their countries n We want more people, including children, being engaged in the fight for children’s rights Results in 2011: The number of children who were directly reached by Save the Children’s work for children’s rights doubled in 2011 to over 800,000. In particular, we saw an increase in projects in Egypt and Eastern Europe.

Protection n I mprove the lives of 21 million children by preventing all forms of violence against children.

Results in 2011: Save the Children reached about 2.6 million children in our efforts to protect children in 2011. The programs had a large increase in India, while they had a decline in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Contributors to Redd Barna’s annual report 2011 Ellen Hofplass, Christine Rackwitz, Anne Brude, Gunvor Knag Fylkesnes, Cecilie Kevin, Elin Toft and Inge Lie (photo)

photo: luca kleve-ruud/redd barna

this is Redd Barna

We are the world’s leading independent organization for children.Together with 29 member organizations in “Save the Children International” we work in 120 countries around the world.

Our vision

Our foundation

Our purpose

Our working methods

Our results

is a world in which all children have been granted their right to life, protection, development and participation.

is the UN convention for children’s rights.We fight for children’s rights and for poor and vulnerable children’s chances of living a worthy life – regardless of who they are and where they live.

is to inspire the world to treat children better and quickly achieve positive, lasting changes in children’s lives.

are innovative and shared with all good forces that work for and with children.

We work for children’s participation and make it clear who is responsible for providing children’s rights.We also build local and national capacity, working to obtain and exert political influence.

are good.We obtain measurable and lasting results for a large number of children, and we keep our promises.

B e a co m m i t t ed d o n o r ! C a l l 2 2 99 0 9 0 0 o r v i s i t o u r w eb at www. r ed d b a r n a . n o