The International Alliance of Carer Organizations (IACO) has established the following 6 guiding principles to improve cares’ lives across the globe. The principles set a framework that ground the work of IACO’s 16 member nations committed to building a global understanding of and respect for the vital role of family carers. IACO Principles for Carers are used as a touchstone for strategic decision-making to ensure IACO’s work for carers are authentic and meaningful.

Principle 1: Recognition

Carers are recognised for the central role they play in the well-being of the person they are caring for, in community capacity, in society and economic prosperity.

Principle 2: Equal opportunities

Carers have a right to equal opportunities and the ability to specify preferences in all spheres of life, including to what extent they want to be involved in care.

Principle 3:Information and knowledge

Carers have a right to access the information, advocacy and training, appropriate to their stage of the caring journey, and to look after their well-being.

Principle 4: Health and Well-being

Carers have a right to access the information, advocacy and training, appropriate to their stage of the caring journey, and to look after their well-being.

Principle 5: Employment

Carers have a right to combine caring with paid employment, be supported by their employers and have equal opportunities to remain in and return to work.

Principle 6: Financial security

Carers do not experience economic hardship as a result of caring and are financially secure through schemes that alleviate the pressure on personal finances from caring.