Values & Ethos

Values and Principles for Action

Childnet seeks to maintain a culture of care and support for both individual children, those who work for them and the organisations, institutions and governments that operate around about them. At the same time Childnet seeks to maintain a radical edge, challenging those institutions that control and profit from the development of the medium so that children’s interests are protected.

Today, Childnet seeks to reflect these foundational values of:

• Balance - both promoting the positive opportunities which the new technology affords as well as responding to the negative dangers
• Inclusivity - not only internationally but wanting to work with all sectors
• Service - wanting to serve and act as a catalyst for others to then lead
• Care for the vulnerable - children and those marginalised or excluded from access especially in areas of the world where access to the Internet is low

All staff, volunteers, and trustees seek to embody these in their work for Childnet as well as the following 6 principles of operation and values. These are:

Internationally oriented

• Principle for action : Childnet's area of operation is global rather than local, national or regional. We believe that children will only truly be able to use the Internet safely if this international dimension is addressed. This will involve us traveling to meet those requesting our support in their own environment, translating resources we produce in different languages and always asking how does this project, policy or programme impact worldwide?
• Values : Childnet values the close partnerships and seeks to consult regularly with those in different parts of the world to learn from them and share our experience openly and in co-operation not competition. If these organisations are well funded, especially commercial or government agencies, Childnet may charge for its advice and service at a market rate, but all income gained will be ploughed back into our charitable projects.

Child-focussed

• Principle for action : Childnet constantly asks "What will be the impact of this (strategy, project, initiative) on children?" We support the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Where we develop a project or undertake research we will, as far as is possible and appropriate, consult with children and young people. We will only use pictures or stories of children in our publications after asking for permission from both the child and their parents/carers.
• Value : Childnet values the opportunities to serve young people and to learn and be challenged by them. As such we will regularly hold “Children’s Panel” meetings as well as conduct formal evaluation from the young people we work with. All staff at Childnet will undergo child protection checks through the UK Criminal Record Bureau and all in direct contact with children will be recruited for their professional experience and continue to be trained and supervised in their work.

Working in partnership

• Principle for action : Childnet believes it should focus on the strategic level i.e. ensuring that our projects and activities make a real difference by being innovative, and bringing together key interest groups. However, this can only be done by Childnet working in partnership with the various interests i.e. parents groups, educators, child welfare agencies, content providers, access providers, police, government and policy makers. We maintain that close partnerships are vital if we are to ensure that children’s interests are properly prioritised.
• Values : Childnet values the work being done by agencies which have specialist experience and we value learning from these experts. Board Members will be recruited from a wide range of experience and expertise. We seek to act as a catalyst to bring those with specialist understanding together and value true partnerships which challenge and co-operate. We will want seek not to duplicate the work being done by others and be willing to share from our experience to help shape our broader understanding of the issues.

Including the marginalised

• Principle for action : Childnet is profoundly concerned about broadening access to new communications media to ensure that those who stand to benefit most get the opportunity to do so. We believe that it is important to prioritise emerging Internet child protection and education initiatives around the world and share lessons learnt elsewhere.
• Values : Childnet values all children and families it works with especially those who are marginalized and excluded. In offering support and training we will do so only after learning from the context that those requesting our support are in. When we are able to give funding or awards to others we will do so by honoring their local achievements, reflect on what we learn from them, as well as share their experiences and the positive opportunities with others.

Defending freedom of speech

• Principle for action : Childnet cherishes the right for all to express their views openly. Where that right seems to conflict with protecting a child from exploitation we believe the welfare of the child must be paramount. Because the Internet has promoted new, faster and more flexible ways of working. We want to exploit this in our response to the issues and develop – and promote – online programmes which can “reach” a wide community.
• Values : Childnet values being able to use the Internet to give both adults and young people a voice. We value this positive aspect of the Internet and will always seek to promote this. We value working with the media both to promote the positive opportunities and when appropriately highlight the dangers. We seek to have an active media strategy and value working with journalists and other opinion formers wanting to respond promptly to request from assistance and advice.

Commitment to excellence

• Principle for action : Childnet will seek to achieve excellent standards of working, investing in our staff resources, and never using lack of resources as an excuse for poor methods of working. As a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee our accounts are independently audited and lodged with Companies House in the UK and the Charity Commission. We seek to work in a transparent way with integrity and accountability to those who fund us and who we work with. We will review our internal policies including Equal Opportunities and ethos and values statements as well as staff training and development plans regularly.
• Values : Childnet values external evaluation of our programmes from other professionals and will always carry out internal evaluation and feedback from those taking part in our programmes or training activities. As a small independent non-profit organisation, Childnet believes it is vital to remain open and transparent about its work, its values, and programmes. We remain committed to using our main website www.childnet-int.org to publish full details about our work, principles for actions and finances.

For further details about childnet’s work including our Equal Opportunities statement and Child Protection policy contact the Childnet office.