In 2021, we celebrated our 70th anniversary. Together we reviewed and reflected on the growth that has taken place in the countries where we work, and how our role in the movement for social justice has evolved over these many years. In our 2021 Annual Report, we have framed results around the key themes of adaptability, people-centered, and relationships, with examples of  our achievements and project results.

Adaptability

Adapting to changing circumstances has always been a critical approach. As we reflect on our work in the context of equity and anti-racism, we recognize the need to adapt our approaches, language, and understanding of the social and economic problems we seek to resolve systemically and locally. Transcending groups and nations, the consequences of climate change are the ultimate test of versatility and ingenuity—for World Education, the development sector, and the world. Furthermore, as the COVID pandemic continued to move learning and other services online, our adaptability as an organization was critical to providing continued support. Following are just a few examples of our work in 2021.

People-Centered

We have always put people at the center of solutions to community problems. We consistently focus on people’s needs, listening to what they want, engaging end-users in program design, and monitoring and revising approaches as we gather feedback. We use these perspectives to identify disparities in access to education and reshape the systems that perpetuate them.

Relationships

We cannot do our work alone. Partnerships with local organizations and communities, as well as funders and government bodies, are critical for any program to succeed. We engage with partners in honest reflection and critical feedback so that our work continues to be responsive, respectful, and community-driven.