ONE_WORLD_WEEK - Accounts

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)”.

The objectives of the Charity are:

• To promote, maintain, improve and advance public education in the fields of economic, social, political and environmental sciences and ethnic and cultural studies with reference to sustainable development for the relief of poverty worldwide.

• To promote diversity and inclusivity and facilitate understanding between and among people of all nations, with a view to enabling people throughout the world to take action to further the main object above.

The Charity’s work in 2020-21

The Charity, acting in solidarity with the European Global Education Week, adopted the theme: “It’s Our World - Let’s Make It Better”. This followed up the previous themes which had acknowledged that human activity was destabilising Earth's natural systems and had asked people to create or join in local One World Week events to explore local and global responses to change; to accept the need for change; explore the opportunities to enthuse others and commit to changes in our own life-styles.

The 2020-21 theme emphasised the need to use the economic and social crises arising from the COVID pandemic to explore and advocate ideas and building a better world fairer and greener for a sustainable future.

One World Week acknowledged that the COVID pandemic meant that local physical events would not be feasible and encouraged people to hold online events instead. One World Week, through its website, social media and its email newsletters, suggested a range of resources to help people do that. One World Week also alerted supporters to actions they might choose to take throughout the year (not just during One World Week) that related to the One World Week.

Public benefit

One World Week seeks always to comply with the requirements of charity law and the guidance published by the Charity Commission, particularly the imperative to ensure that the activities of One World Week demonstrate public benefit, as is evidenced throughout this report.

The Charity’s contributions to its objectives are for the public benefit. The Trustees know of no related drawbacks to the activities of the Charity, the general public is the beneficiary, the benefit is not restricted by geography nor price and the poor are specifically included. The Charity confers no private benefits. Whilst deciding at Trustees meetings, what activities the Charity should undertake, Trustees have paid due regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

One World Week centrally is currently run almost entirely by volunteers including some of the trustees working in a voluntary capacity. The exception is some paid book-keeping work. All volunteers work from home, we have no physical office other than an address. Emails are responded to by a trustee volunteer.

All One World Week’s communication is based on its website where information about the theme, how to put on One World Week events, and down-loadable resources may be accessed. One Trustee oversees the website and works with the website designers and managers to keep it up to date. Two Trustees write and compile most of the resources for the theme. One Trustee oversees the Facebook page, updating it regularly and frequently with engaging material.

Trustees write the occasional e-newsletters which are distributed by the website company.

Another, non-trustee, volunteer, enters events onto the website.

All local events are organised by local volunteers.

Achievements of the Charity include:

Resources produced for the theme “It’s Our World – Let’s Make it Better:

We advised that many of the resources produced for the two previous themes continued to be relevant. We added the following new and/or updated resources:

• Ideas for One World Week Activities (this was an introduction to the theme designed for on line use instead of the usual printed leaflet about the theme)

• Resources to help us make our world better

Including:

• Videos

• Thought-provoking articles and opinion pieces

• Things you can do

• Some key ideas for a better future

• Resources for schools: (NB – We developed our relations with Global Dimension, now managed by Reboot the Future, who promoted the concept of One World Week, and specific resources on their website.)

  • Schools’ Flyer

  • Resources for teaching about Climate Change

     

• Worship Resources - Christian

  • Creation Reflection with pledges (Updated version of 2019 resource)

  • A Prayer for One World Week

     

• Islamic resources

  • Ifees/EcoIslam statement: "What can we learn & do differently in the future?"

Newsletters

Three e-newsletters (March, June and September) informed people on our database about the theme, linked them to newly uploaded resources, and drew attention to specific activities co-ordinated by organisations with which One World Week works. We asked for feedback and ideas to share.

Social media

Thanks to the work of a dedicated volunteer, One World Week’s Facebook page provided a lively source of information sharing with engaging and inspirational material from a wide variety of links. The entries were all related to the annual theme so Facebook users could engage with the theme’s issues all though the year. Inspiring stories offered encouragement to get involved with the One World Week theme, notified people when new resources were posted and raised awareness of opportunities to take action with other organisations that focused on issues covered by the theme.

Events

All the above, encouraged and enabled local volunteers around the country to find ways to engage with their local communities in activities related to the theme of ‘Making the World Better’ even though we acknowledged that physical events were unlikely to be feasible. (There was uncertainty all year about what would be feasible). We provided links to guidance about setting up online events and some groups, e.g. the Portsmouth One World Week group, worked with the local Stand Against Racism group to put on a virtual event which included speakers, videos, and discussion.

It is difficult to know what went on as we received very little feedback. We had encouraged people to get involved whenever they could through the year with other groups working on climate change and other aspects of making the world better, but organisers probably did not consider those to be “One World Week” events to be reported to us.

Information about events under the name of One World Week gleaned from an internet search suggested that One World Week activities were fewer than usual in schools and universities which was unsurprising given lockdown.

One World Week has made a total deficit for the year of £3,921 (2020 - £3,235). The total reserves currently stand at £10,312 (2020 - £14,233), of which £7,053 (2020 - £7,020) is designated for potential wind down costs.

One World Week Trustees are very grateful to those individuals and local groups that continue to support them through regular standing orders and one-off donations. All of the income in 2020-21, just over £2,300, was raised in this way over the year.

All this support is enabling One World Week to continue to function as we operate without paid staff, relying on the dedication of the few national volunteers to sustain our core work of supporting local event organisers through providing current annual educational materials on our website and social media and maintaining links with other relevant national bodies.

One World Week finds it very hard to identify grant-giving bodies that will support the work of a national global education charity that works solely to stimulate local events.

Reserves policy

The calculation of reserves needed is set to cover wind-down over three months. With the assumption that there will be no staff or office operation, the current designated funds of £7,053 are more than enough to cover 3 months’ operating costs in line with Charity Commission guidelines. This is kept under constant review. The Charity holds unrestricted reserves of £10,312.

Risk management

The Board of Trustees reviews and updates its management of all risks at the AGM each year. The risk appraisal was conducted thoroughly in 2020 and amended to reflect our then current way of working. As this has only changed in respect to online meetings and events in 2020, no further changes to the risk assessment were required in January 2021. In particular, the privacy policy had been amended and updated to comply with current regulations – and is published on the website.

We have in place safeguards against the following identified risks:

1. that the Charity suffers a loss of income - As this risk is high, a scrutiny of income and expenditure is carried out monthly by appropriate Trustees and the finance worker, and quarterly by Trustees. Reserves are in place to cover wind down costs;

1. the Charity might face a sudden, unanticipated need to recruit new appropriate staff to undertake key roles (High);

1. serious breach of health and safety or employment rules (low) as we do not have any employees;

1. that some unauthorised or authorised but crooked person makes away with the funds (low);

1. that individuals or groups acting in the name of One World Week compromise One World Week and its Trustees (low to medium);

1. unwitting breach of copyright in publications and website, leading to action by copyright holders seeking redress (low to medium);

1. unwitting breach of lobbying law. (Priority low to moderate - the law has been clarified and is less likely to affect One World Week.

2. unwitting breach of General Data Protection Regulations – we have put in place measures to comply

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

One World Week is a not-for-profit company with charitable status since January 2005.

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

The Board has continued to seek new Trustees and advisors to the Board.

One World Week gives to all potential trustees a document (updated in 2016 and available on the website) setting out its beliefs, vision, mission and aims; historical background; how it operates; and how it is funded. It outlines the responsibilities of all Trustees and how the Board operates. It includes an application form, a declaration of legal eligibility to be a trustee form and a confidential equal opportunity monitoring form. Induction includes opportunities to talk with current trustees, visit One World Week events, and an introduction to One World Week policy documents. New trustees are recommended to attend any trustee training available through their local voluntary coordination bodies and all trustees are directed to updated documentation from the Charities Commission about the responsibilities of Trustees.

The Trustees continued to seek to recruit new trustees through internal advertising (website and newsletters) and by invitation.

Relationships with wider networks:

One World Week is a member of:

• The Climate Coalition - which is dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the environment and the world’s poorest communities. Its supporter base of members embraces more than 19 million people spanning over 130 organisations across the UK, from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups;

• European Global Education Week Network - One World Week is the UK National Representative of this Council of Europe body, actively involved in annual co-ordinating seminars, including choosing the European Global Education Week theme. One World Week chooses its annual theme to chime with that of GEW;

• Trade Justice Movement - a coalition of nearly 60 member organisations, with millions of individual members, calling for trade rules that work for people and planet. Organisations concerned include trade unions, aid agencies, environment and human rights campaigns, Fair Trade organisations, faith and consumer groups. It calls for trade justice - not free trade - with the rules weighted to benefit poor people and the environment;

• UNITED for Intercultural Action - A European Network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees.

One World Week works with:

Black Environment Network, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Fairtrade Foundation, Global Dimension (Reboot the Future), Global Justice Now, Ifees (EcoIslam), Inter Faith Network, Islamic Relief; Traidcraft Exchange, United Reformed Church's Commitment for Life programme.

Impact of Covid-19

There has been no impact of Covid-19 on the charity as such. The only impact has been to curtail local organisations' opportunity to arrange live events in 2021. Some regular activities have been replaced by on-line events, if at all. So, apart from fewer events that we are aware of taking place, Covid has no bearing on the operation of the charity, which has no premises and is operated by volunteers.

The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of One World Week (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2021.

As the Trustees of the Charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

One World Week is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 15 Bryngwyn Road, Newport, NP20 4JS.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the next 12-18 months. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the Trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the general costs undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the profit and loss account in other administrative expenses.

Insurance

Postage and stationery

Sundries

IT support and software

Web support and maintenance

Publicity

Accountancy and payroll service

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.

The amount designated relates to potential wind down costs to the charity if further funding is not obtained.

Unrestricted

Unrestricted

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2020 - none).