Annual Report 2004 Table of contents Letter from the President & Chair – – – – – – – 2 Financials – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 29 2004 Highlights – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 4 Board of Directors & Leadership Council – – 32 Oxfam’s presence – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 6 Contributors – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 33 Steps to self-reliance – – – – – – – – – – – – – 9 Thank you – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 41 A just world without poverty It’s what we believe in. It’s what gets us up in the morning. It’s our vision—a world in which all people know freedom to achieve their fullest potential and to live secure from the dangers of hunger, deprivation, and oppression. At Oxfam America, we know it’s more than an empty dream. It’s a very real possibility. And we’re getting closer each day. How? By addressing not only the severe symptoms of poverty and hunger, but by tackling their root causes. By developing lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice. It’s about permanent change for the betterment of everyone. From Asia, to Central America, to Africa, to right here in our own back yards. Oxfam is shaping a better world. And we thank you for making it possible. What makes us unique > PARTNERSHIP > LINKING LOCAL TO GLOBAL > RIGHTS Oxfam collaborates with local organiza- While Oxfam remains committed to our Oxfam maintains that human rights tions to help people identify and address community-based work, we have found do not hinge on the country, gender, the root causes of poverty. In more than that there are also larger barriers that race, or identity we inhabit, or the 30 years of partnerships, we have keep people from thriving. Our community money we have or may need. Rather, learned that communities are often the work forms the basis of our policy and they are fundamental and non-negotiable. most knowledgeable about the solutions advocacy work, through which we Oxfam adheres to the UN Universal to their own problems. When empowered challenge the national and international Declaration of Human Rights, which to take ownership of a problem, they laws and policies that reinforce poverty. entitles all people to safety, a say create solutions that last. in decisions that affect them, equality, basic social services, and an opportunity > INDEPENDENCE > BREADTH to a secure livelihood. In order to preserve our independence, As an organization of 177 development Oxfam America does not accept funds professionals, Oxfam America is able from the US government or other sources to work on the ground in more than that may limit the autonomy of our 30 countries. Still, it’s impossible for us program decisions or our ability to to be in all places at all times. Being part comment on international, government, of the global Oxfam International family— or corporate policies. a confederation of 12 Oxfams—expands our numbers to more than 4,000 people and our reach to more than 100 countries. Annual Report 2004 1 > Letter from the President & Chair Dear friends and colleagues: The year 2004 ended with two stunning displays The compassion that will fuel the rebuilding and of power—one a wave that took the lives of over strengthening of tsunami-affected communities 165,000 people, the other a wave of generosity for years to come is an auspicious way to begin that saved the lives of hundreds of thousands 2005—a year that promises to be pivotal for more. While the scale of the disaster in Asia the humanitarian community. We hope that is almost incomprehensible, so, too, is the world leaders will be motivated by this incredible scale of the response. An estimated one-third global compassion when they convene at the of all Americans gave to the relief efforts in G8 meeting in July and the UN Millennium Asia. On New Year’s Eve, five days after the Development Goals Summit in September. tsunami struck, Oxfam America’s phone was At these meetings, Oxfam will be pressing ringing every three seconds, and our website for more equitable trade policies, critically needed was collecting more than $2,365 a minute. debt relief, more and better aid, and universal We have seen nothing like this since the primary education as essential steps that Ethiopia famine of 1983. must be achieved now if the UN has any chance of meeting its targets to reduce abject At Oxfam, we have been moved by this outpouring poverty by 2015. of support. But even as we fielded calls and read the very personal letters of our supporters, Even as Oxfam pushes for large-scale changes we understood the tsunami had done more than that have the potential to lift millions out of uncork an explosion of unprecedented philan- poverty, we recognize that every survivor of the thropic giving. Rather it seemed that something tsunami and every one of the 500 million people deeper was happening—that Americans who live in extreme poverty has a face and were reasserting their civic mindedness and a name and an idea for how their world needs reconnecting with the world in a dramatic to improve. Oxfam makes it our work to learn and affirmative way. these faces and names, for we know that it is they who best know the solutions to poverty. For this disaster follows two consecutive wars It is they who must set the parameters for in which America’s image before the world has change, and it is they who can make it happen. been its soldiers bearing arms in faraway places. Regardless of how you feel about the mission With this report, we introduce you to some of in Iraq, it no doubt is troublesome to see our the faces and names, people and places whose values, intentions, and standing in the world lives have been changed by your support. We challenged day after day. In reaching out vow to empower these people and everyone we to tsunami victims, private American citizens serve to have a real say in the aid they receive, seemed to be saying: “We are part of your and we pledge to maximize the impact of your world. We share your anguish. We want to dollars in the field. Finally, we thank you for your connect and be helpful.” powerful demonstration of America’s core values and your deep commitment to your neighbors on the other side of the world. Raymond C. Offenheiser Barbara D. Fiorito President Chair 2 www.oxfamamerica.org Above: Raymond C. Offenheiser (right) speaks with a member of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers at the February 2004 launch of Oxfam America’s labor campaign. Left: Barbara D. Fiorito—herself a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer— discusses a new partnership with National Peace Corps Association President Kevin Quigley. Annual Report 2004 3 > Key results in 2004 The tsunami gave us countless stories of hardship and heroism: the courageous efforts to save lives, the noble attempts to rebuild amidst devastating grief, the endearing efforts of millions who offered to help. Time and again, Oxfam has found that in the face of adversity, people rise to the occasion. Like the response to the tsunami, the key results of 2004 were achieved through tireless work and an unwavering commitment to move past hardship to the possibility beyond. > VICTORIES > AWARDS Peruvian communities win respect, US government rejoins the Oxfam partner wins JFK Profile new lands from mining company International Coffee Organization in Courage Award Communities near the Tintaya Copper The US government announced Dr. Sima Samar, founder and Director Mine in Cusco, Peru, will receive its intention to rejoin the International of Oxfam International partner, farmland as compensation for farms Coffee Organization (ICO), the inter- Shuhada, received the 2004 John lost to mining. Communities will also national forum for coffee trade policy F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award need to give their consent before and production. Oxfam America urged for her work to deliver education and Australian corporation BHP Billiton the US to rejoin the ICO through its health care to women and girls in cen- undertakes any additional mining Make Trade Fair campaign. US involve- tral Afghanistan. Oxfam has supported operations in the area. This agreement ment could strengthen international her work for seven years. (Page 19) was reached after two years of efforts to stabilize coffee prices so as negotiations and with help from Oxfam to reduce the associated poverty, Oxfam partner wins Peru’s human and our partners. This is the first time hunger, and dislocation in 50 countries. rights award a mine in Peru has committed to con- (Page 22) Father Marco Arana, President of sulting residents about new mining GRUFIDES, was awarded Peru’s activities. This victory will directly Farmworkers win right to organize most prominent human rights prize. benefit 3,200 people—and indirectly in North Carolina Oxfam America-funded since 2003, benefit 64,400 more. The contract The Farm Labor Organizing Committee GRUFIDES trains people in advocacy with BHP Billiton includes a $300,000 (FLOC), an Oxfam America partner, and environmental monitoring and development fund to help farmers reached an historic agreement with the seeks to resolve conflicts between on their new lands. (Page 20) North Carolina Growers Association mining companies and communities. and the Mt. Olive Pickle Company giving a union contract to over 8,000 Make Trade Fair wins 2004 so-called guest farmworkers from Commitment to Development Award Mexico. The agreement establishes a The Center for Global Development worker complaint system, a grievance and Foreign Policy magazine honored commission, and a fair recruitment Oxfam International for its commitment system based on seniority, among to changing attitudes and policies other wins. (Page 18) toward the poor through the Make Trade Fair campaign. 4 www.oxfamamerica.org > NOTABLE ACTIVITIES Oxfam and Earthworks unveil No Oxfam joins Senegal commission Oxfam leverages technology Dirty Gold campaign on illegal arms to help end poverty and social Oxfam America and Earthworks The government of Senegal has invited injustice launched the No Dirty Gold campaign, Oxfam America to join a national Oxfam America redesigned its website calling on retailers to identify and commission creating an action plan to better meet the needs of online disclose their gold sources and to work to curb the illegal proliferation of arms visitors.