ACORD perceives its role as working in common cause with the poor and those who have been denied their rights to understand, to challenge and change unfair conditions through practical work and advocacy. This belief underpins ACORD's practical work at the grassroots, its research methodologies and advocacy at policy levels. These same fundamental principles and efforts of reclaiming of rights also informed the organisational transformation that led to ACORD emerging as a strong Pan African organisation working across Africa and linking citizens and their organisations at grass roots level to national, sub-regional, pan-African and global issues and actions.
In doing this, ACORD draws on the trusting relationships it has developed with communities and local governments over the years and the deep understanding of the issues and grassroots perspectives on development challenges. ACORD particularly seeks to engage with the efforts of marginalised and excluded communities themselves to analyse and address root causes of exclusion and social injustice in Africa and facilitate their participation in Africa-led social movements to bring about social justice and rights-based development.
ACORD aims to achieve this through combining practical work, research and advocacy in four cross cutting thematic areas that include conflict, gender, livelihood and HIV/AIDS. The key approach running through both the thematic and geographic interventions is to build the momentum for social action of poor citizens and their networks around an agenda articulated and owned by people and with systematic local and global links.
ACORD STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
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Facilitate an enabling environment where marginalised communities become effective agents of conflict transformation
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Build the knowledge on gender relations and effective ways of addressing gender inequalities
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Promote learning, strengthen capacity and develop effective partnerships so as to influence thinking, policies and practice on HIV and AIDS