New Centres

Starting a new centre

Organisations that can be considered for a OneWorld centre have to meet criteria established by OneWorld International Foundation.

A OneWorld centre, its owners and its subsidiaries:

should be part of civil society

should pursue objectives, conduct activities, enter into associations, and operate employment practices which are consistent with OneWorld's vision and values

should not confer beneficial ownership

must not have formal religious. Commercial, or political affiliation or other such affiliations which may compromise its independence

must not advocate violence

If these criteria fit with the vision, aims and capacities of your organisation and you wish to explore the possibility of becoming a OneWorld centre the following outlines the process for doing so:

Contact OneWorld International Co-ordinator, Rene Plaetevoet rene.plaetevoet@oneworld.netfor an initial discussion.

If those discussions prove positive, Rene will arrange for you to work through OneWorld Network Agreement with the appropriate people from OneWorld International. The OneWorld Network Agreement is a formal document that lays out the responsibilities of each centre towards the network, and includes details of the technical standards, financial contributions and partnership administration requirements.

Prospective OneWorld centres are required to produce a business plan. This business plan should demonstrate the financial viability of the centre including the payment of contributions to the Foundation. Funding sources should not be inconsistent with OneWorld values. The business plan must show credible capacity:

to build a desirable profile of OneWorld partners within the prospective centre�s geographical area and to provide supporting services to these partners.

to have technical ability to work in the medium of the internet

to deliver expert output on human rights and sustainable development issues

All details pertaining to the OneWorld Network Agreement and the prospective centre business plan need to be satisfied in the opinion of OneWorld International staff and the appropriate people in your organisation. When this is the case, OneWorld International will recommend to OneWorld International Foundation that a new centre be admitted to the OneWorld network. The potential centre will also draw up a list of nominees from their locality for OneWorld International Foundation Board of Trustees.

OneWorld International Foundation Board of Trustees will consider the recommendation and the list of nominees. The Board may accept, reject or seek further clarification on the application for becoming a prospective OneWorld centre.

Following acceptance of an application for OneWorld centre status, both parties will formally sign the OneWorld Network Agreement. Nominees to OneWorld International Foundation from the new centre will assessed and the Director of the Foundation will meet the most promising candidates. The Board may also ask to have a dialogue with the candidate(s) themselves, either virtually or in a face-to-face meeting. If no candidates are considered suitable, the trustees may ask for other nominees.

With admittance to the OneWorld network, the new centre will work with OneWorld International and other centres to establish the centre, it services and online products.