Save the Children International

Save the Children International is the world's first and leading independent children's organisation, founded in London in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb. It operates as a global humanitarian and development movement active in around 120 countries, with a presence in the United States, and states that over the past century it has transformed the lives of more than one billion children.

The organisation's stated purpose is to ensure that every child survives, learns and is protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Its work spans five areas: emergency response, in which it aims to be among the first to arrive when crisis strikes and the last to leave; education, giving children the opportunity to learn; health, giving them a healthy start in life; child protection; and advocacy. The advocacy function seeks to build resilient societies and empower children, and is carried out in collaboration with communities, governments and partners.

Save the Children describes itself as mission-driven, summarising its approach as doing "whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis". Its founding values and its work with governments and institutional partners situate it within humanitarian aid and emergency relief, child welfare and protection, education and health. The organisation frames its mission in terms of "the future we share".