The International Social Service (ISS) is an international

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

(NGO) founded in 1924. It provides assistance in resolving international

child protection Child protection is the safeguarding of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the protection of children in and out of the home. One of the ways to e ...

cases. The ISS is organised as a global network of over 120 countries which assist children and families confronted with complex social problems as a result of migration. This is in addition to a General Secretariat based in

Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...

. The ISS is accredited to the

United Nations Economic and Social Council The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

(ECOSOC).

History

The ISS was founded as the 'International Migration Service' in 1924. It was initially established in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

by the

World YWCA The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swi ...

under the Chairmanship of Lady Dorothy Gladstone. Its headquarters moved from London to

in 1925, where it has remained since.

Present day

The ISS aims to ensure that respect for human rights is accorded to every individual across international borders, especially children. As such, it is concerned with a number of areas, including: * Forced migrations (

child trafficking Trafficking of children is a form of human trafficking and is defined by the United Nations as the "recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, and/or receipt" kidnapping of a child for the purpose of slavery, forced labour and exploitation. ...

, conflict, wars,

asylum Asylum may refer to: Types of asylum * Asylum (antiquity), places of refuge in ancient Greece and Rome * Benevolent Asylum, a 19th-century Australian institution for housing the destitute * Cities of Refuge, places of refuge in ancient Judea ...

) * Voluntary migrations * International adoptions * Child abduction (inter-country divorce or separation) * Unaccompanied/orphan child (death or separation) The services which ISS provides include: * Inter-country social and legal assistance * Family tracing * Pre- and post-adoption assistance * International family mediation * Child protection in family separation * Protection and care of unaccompanied minors * Alternative/foster care * Search of origins

Structure

The ISS is a global network spanning over 120 countries. These consist of 'Branches', 'Affiliated Bureaus' and 'Correspondents'. Prominent members exist in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, UK (known a
Children and Families Across Borders
and the US. The organisations that the ISS collaborates with include: * National and local child protection agencies * National and local governments and courts * NGOs with similar mission and activities * Family support services * Public and private immigration services * Public and private missing children agencies * Individual social service practitioners * Law enforcement agencies, practitioners and firms * Mediation practitioners * Psychology and health practitioners

History

Present day

Structure

References

External links