Poverty or deprivation includes lack of income but also social inferiority, physical weakness, disability and sickness, vulnerability, physical and social isolation, ignorance, powerlessness, and humiliation. We therefore value approaches to development that aim for improvement in the well-being of people, incorporating social, environmental, physical and spiritual dimensions as well as the purely material. We value the pursuit of equity - securing rights, creating access and opportunity, and building capabilities necessary to achieve well-being for all people. We value pluralism in society and will support efforts to challenge intolerance and any orthodoxy that provokes or inherently creates discrimination and marginalisation of particular groups of people. We value the opportunity for all people to have a voice – to have the right, opportunity and ability to make a contribution to the debates and decisions that affect their lives. Underpinning all of these values is a commitment to work always in pursuit of non-violent means of bringing about constructive change at community level.

Values as an organisation

Allavida seeks to create an operating culture based on open and honest dialogue, team-working and collective decision-making. We value the knowledge and experience of our colleagues and institutional allies around the world and seek always to ensure that their voice is heard in our decision-making processes. We seek always to be flexible and adaptable, responding quickly to changing circumstances and learning from practice. We will make every effort to capture what we learn, both what works and what doesn't, to enhance our own knowledge and understanding, and to share this with others.