Child Sponsorship ― Exploring Pathways to a Brighter Future

In 2012 Child Sponsorship generated over three billion dollars for poverty reduction initiatives and individual child welfare work in developing countries and disadvantaged communities, linking geographically distant benefactors to as many as eight million children globally. Since its inception in Europe in 1920, child sponsorship fundraising mechanisms have impacted tens of millions of children and their sponsors, attracting widespread support amongst the general public and sometimes strident critique within the aid industry. Despite its importance, debate over Child Sponsorship funded activity is often superficial and misinformed. Mindful of the prevalence of historic controversy this edited collection utilizes contributions from both independent academics and current practitioners in leading Child Sponsorship NGOs to review of the origins of sponsorship, past controversy, current diversity in the sector and ongoing challenges. In doing so it clarifies the nature of early Child sponsorship programs and positions leading child sponsorship organizations as constantly evolving. This book is an essential reading for students, academics and practitioners interested in one of most enduring and important flows of foreign aid.

Matthew Clarke is Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University, Australia. His research interests include religion and development, aid effectiveness, and the development within the Pacific region.

Brad Watson is a Senior Lecturer in International Poverty and Development Studies within the Faculty of Arts and Theology at Avondale College of Higher Education, Australia. His research area includes the history and evolution of child sponsorship international non-governmental organisations.