Acting with children

Our actions are based on founding principles, otherwise detailed in our Charter:

The best interests of the child and the respect of his or her dignity are at the heart of BICE’s commitment. BICE works at the service of all children, with no discrimination or proselytising, in the respect of their nationality, their culture and their religion ;
Children are people in progress, they are vulnerable so they must be protected and supported, all the while awakening them to their own dignity and rights ;
BICE looks after all aspects of children’s development: they need to be fed, cared for and taught. Their psychological well-being is also essential. Their family and community ties must be preserved every time it is suitable.

These principles rely on universal values, such as dignity, justice and ethics, which account for the common approach shared by our team, our member organisations and our partners:

Believing in rights: the child, treated as a whole person, has become a real subject of rights. His very existence grants him inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as protection (respect of his physical integrity), certain benefits (healthcare, education, nourishment, housing or social security) as well as participation, which can translate into freedom of thought, expression, information and the right of association.
Believing in resilience: “Resilience is the capacity of a sole human being or a group to overcome great difficulties and to grow in life.(1)” Our action takes root in the strengths and resources of adults and children, families and communities, beyond helplessness. Mobilizing resources and capacities of children and people around them is a major focus of our field project.
Believing in spirituality: the integral development of a child demands, whatever his situation, that he may be able to think about the meaning of his life and that his inner spiritual being ought to be respected. The Christian inspiration of BICE leads us to this respect.