Caritas Internationalis

Caritas Singapore is a member organisation of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 165 members working at the grassroots in almost every country of the world. The diverse members give Caritas strength—from small groups of volunteers to some of the biggest global charities. Inspired by the Catholic faith, Caritas is the helping hand of the Church, reaching out to the poor, vulnerable, and excluded, regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love.

Caritas Internationalis has its headquarters in Rome, coordinating emergency operations, formulating development policy, and advocating for a better world for everyone. All national Caritas organisations are members of their own regional Caritas networks and the international confederation.

From the founding of the first Caritas in Germany in 1897 to the setting up of Caritas Internationalis in 1951 until today, Caritas has a rich history of listening respectfully to the suffering of the poor and giving them the tools to transform their own lives. The deep moral and spiritual principles of dignity, justice, solidarity, and stewardship still guide Caritas today.

Caritas Internationalis Management Standards

Caritas organisations work together to strengthen one another and the confederation living up to the Caritas Internationalis Management Standards. The standards are based on current good practice and accepted global principles within the humanitarian and international development community. They serve to safeguard our professional competence and efficacy in serving our neighbours.

The five Management Standards cover:

Laws and
Ethical Codes

Governance and Organisation

Finance and Accountability

Stakeholder
Involvement

Safeguarding

As a member of the global Caritas confederation, Caritas Singapore must comply with the Caritas Internationalis Management Standards. These standards, based on accepted principles within the international humanitarian community, were introduced to ensure that every Caritas organisation has the professional competence to do its work, good governance and accountability process. Assessment of a Caritas organisation’s compliance with the standards must take place every four years. In November 2022, Caritas Singapore has been assessed as fully compliant with all the latest management standards of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas Singapore is the official social and community arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore and a member of Caritas Internationalis. We are the umbrella body for over 20 Catholic charities and organisations whose work has touched the lives of many, regardless of race or religion. Join us in our social mission journey.