By Laura BennettWednesday 24 Jul 2024Hope AfternoonsSocial JusticeReading Time: 4 minutes
It may seem like a small change, but it makes a big difference.
Key Points
- Baptist World Aid is “entirely committed to the dignity and safety of children and young people.”
- “Our posture must be to do anything in our power to ensure that our actions do not hinder children experiencing life in its fullness.”
- Listen to the full conversation in the player above.
Baptist World Aid has made a commitment that children involved in their programs will receive greater protection going forward, as the organisation makes changes to the way photos of children are presented at events and online.
CEO of Baptist World Aid Melissa Lipsett caught up with Hope Afternoons’ Laura to chat about these changes.
“We’re entirely committed to the dignity and safety of children and young people,” she said.
“We always want to make sure that they’re at the centre of their own story.”
By placing a friendly yellow sticker over participants’ faces, Baptist World Aid aims to improve the ethics and safety of their Child Sponsorship promotion.
“Recently, as we’ve engaged with [participants]… they’ve suggested to us that we need to do more to ensure their safety, their dignity and their privacy,” Melissa explained.
“It’s this consultation with the young people themselves that has prompted this change.”
Baptist World Aid is “entirely committed to the dignity and safety of children and young people.”
When presented with the idea of protecting the faces of children and youth, online and at events, the feedback from program participants themselves was compelling:
“I like that there is no difference between the children, no matter how they look.”
“Even children with visible disabilities will be treated equally.”
“It will help protect children from abuse.”
“It will result in more equal opportunities for children.”
“It will keep children safe and protect families and communities.”
“This will protect children from child trafficking, being easily beaten up by strangers. It will prevent people easily identifying and recognising us.”
“Perspectives on the concept of Child Sponsorship are divided,” Melissa said.
Baptist World Aid is changing the way they present children, with their safety as priority, Images supplied by Baptist World Aid
“For many, sponsoring a child represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between vulnerable communities overseas and families in Australia. It’s a tangible way to give to charity and address the injustice of poverty—particularly in the lives of children.
“But for others, the model raises difficult questions and, in some cases, causes considerable discomfort,’ she said.
When Baptist World Aid contacted sponsors, the responses were interesting, with some sponsors feeling uncomfortable with the current system.
“I remember seeing a stand and it was all the kids’ photos and you kind of got to pick your kid,” one sponsor said. “Which didn’t really sit right with me…choosing that child, based on what they look like.”
This tension is one that many international development charities have been wrestling with in recent years. Across the sector, organisations committed to supporting children and youth are implementing innovations aimed at strengthening the development and upholding the dignity of the young people they serve.
“Our posture must be to do anything in our power to ensure that our actions do not hinder children experiencing life in its fullness.”
For 50 years, Baptist World Aid has been elevating the rights of children. As an organisation founded on following Jesus in his care for the most vulnerable, helping children understand their rights, self-advocate, and take an active and central role in their community is central to the Baptist World Aid ethos.
“Children and young people have a special place in God’s heart and Matthew 19:4 issues a specific invitation to children to fully participate in the Kingdom of God,” Melissa said.
“Our posture must be to do anything in our power to ensure that our actions do not hinder children experiencing life in its fullness.
“Child Sponsorship has been the vehicle through which the generosity of the Australian Christian community has improved the lives of thousands of children around the world.
“Since 1974 our child-focused programs have evolved as we’ve learned and grown – and in 2024, these programs stand out for their excellence and ability to uplift whole communities through best-practice community development.”
And while the faces of children and youth have represented an access point for Australian supporters, it is necessary to make changes. Nevertheless, this personal connection remains important to Baptist World Aid and their supporters, so once a Sponsor signs up to support a child, that child’s photo will be provided to the Sponsor. Potential Sponsors can choose the country, gender and age of a child, but their appearance will no longer play a role.
Listen to the full conversation in the player above.
Feature image: All photos supplied by Baptist World Aid
Article supplied with thanks to Laura Bennett. Laura Bennett is the host of Hope Afternoons and producer of a number of our podcasts, including UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett.