Content of the Declaration

Social Action on behalf of the most disadvantaged groups cannot be understood or implemented without the combined effort of the public administrations, in their various levels of competences, corporate initiatives and the Third Sector organisations that act as complementary agents, both in providing the services and in changing citizens’ attitudes to social problems.

NGOs working to Social Action are committed to the task of building a more equal society, in which the differences between citizens are reduced, so that the members of the most disadvantaged groups may gain access on an equal basis to the opportunities for wellbeing that are enjoyed by society as a whole.

This commitment poses the need for NGOs to intensify their efforts so that on the basis of their shared values and principles, they may inform on their initiatives and work with higher standards of Quality in their respective spheres.

Consequently, in the framework of the Congress on Quality, the Third Sector and Social Policy, held in Madrid on 12th and 13th December 2006, the undersigning Social Action Third Sector organisations hereby:

Declare

• That the people for whom their initiatives, programmes and services are intended are entitled to receive the latter with the highest possible standards of Quality.
• That they are aware that the social environment requires structures that are increasingly participative, efficacious, efficient and transparent in order to properly channel the outpouring of solidarity by citizens.
• That citizen participation, through volunteering, membership of associations and other forms constitute an essential instrument in attaining its objectives.

Therefore, in order to meet the demands of its beneficiaries, society and of the organisations themselves, the undersigning hereby:

Undertake

1. To incorporate into their management systems the values, principles and criteria of the Strategic Plan for Promoting the Quality of Social Action NGOs and in particular:
1. To show respect for human dignity and defence of rights.
2. To encourage solidarity among the members of organisations and between the latter and the people for whom their services and initiatives are intended, and acknowledge the entitlement of the latter to take part in decision-making processes that affect them.
3. To manage the organisations in accordance with the needs and expectations of the people for whom they are intended.
4. To encourage the participation of all those involved as an essential value in securing higher motivation and efficiency in services.
5. To promote co-responsibility and the commitment of all those involved in the organisation, enabling decentralisation processes in decision-making.
6. To encourage professionalism in human resource policies and work well done, in line with the most advanced technical and scientific criteria, as well as strict professional ethics.
7. To efficiently manage the globality of the organisation’s mission in its everyday activity.
2. To respect and comply wuth the principles of transparency and responsibility in organisations.
3. To involve public administrations, corporate initiatives and other social agents in their commitment to promoting Quality.
4. To generate synergies among Social Action Third Sector organisations to attain joint aims and incorporate the culture of Quality in the Third Sector.

Madrid, December 2006