From today, Plan International’s work has one, overarching goal: achieving a just world that advances children’s rights and brings equality for girls. Our programmes, advocacy and campaigns across the world will all work towards that end.

We support children’s rights from when they are born to when they reach adulthood

Plan International’s global federation, active in more than 70 countries, has collectively signed up to a new purpose statement that will define our priorities and guide all our action for years to come.

“Our purpose confirms that we will work with all children, but in everything we do we will have a particular focus on girls,” said Plan International CEO Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen. “Nowhere in the world can girls exercise the same rights as boys, and this has to change.”

Plan International is sharpening its focus on children’s rights and the most marginalised group of children, girls, in response to the dramatic changes taking place in the world. Climate change, urbanisation, new technology, a growing youth population and growing conflict mean we must work differently. With increased clarity in our vision, we can be bold and focused in what we do.

Striving for a just world

The new purpose is also inspired by the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN in 2015. Plan International will use every opportunity to realise the goals’ vision of a fairer world by 2030 and the purpose shows how we will do that. 

“We will tackle the root causes that lead to discrimination and exclusion, and challenge attitudes and behaviours that deny children their rights,” said Albrectsen.

Our work enables children and young people to respond to crises

Plan International has local and national programmes in over 50 countries, working in partnership with children, young people, communities and others to transform the lives of children. The new purpose commits us to working with others to scale up successful programmes in Asia, Africa and Latin America that tackle exclusion and discrimination, especially towards girls.

Responding to crisis, overcoming adversity

In an increasingly unstable world, disaster response has become a growing part of our work. Our purpose commits us to working with children and their communities to help them prepare for crises and disasters and to respond when they do happen to protect their safety and health. Our work in disasters will focus on the needs of excluded and vulnerable children, in particular girls.

Changing policy and practice

To achieve the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will require governments to deliver on their promises. We have recognised the urgent need to prioritise girls as the most marginalised group whose rights are violated most. Our girls’ rights movement, Because I am a Girl, is at the heart of our work to drive change for girls.

Plan International’s new purpose includes greater efforts to influence governments and advocate with and on behalf of children. Our advocacy alongside our supporters and partners will reach local, national and international levels in all the territories where we work.

“We will use our knowledge of the realities that children face every day to advocate for change on a global scale,” said Albrectsen. “We’ll hold governments to account to make sure no-one is left behind.”

Read our Purpose Statement here.