Meeting of Bishops President of Episcopal Conferences and Caritas in Africa. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo November 2012

Transcription

1 Caritas Africa Meeting of Bishops President of Episcopal Conferences and Caritas in Africa Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo November 2012 The Caritas Internationalis Confederation: organizational structure, areas of intervention, funding, etc. By Michel ROY Secretary General Caritas Internationalis

2 The Caritas Internationalis Confederation

3 Some history 1897 : a priest creates Caritas Germany 1951 : the 13 Caritas of the time, under impulsion from Cardinal Montini, and pulling the lessons learnt from thr second world war and what followed, decide to create Caritas Internationalis The 50 s : birth of Caritas in LAC The 60 s : decolonisation, development decade The 90 s : end of the Soviet empire 2011 : the last small one, awaiting new ones

4 How is Caritas Internationalis organised? A confederation Together with regions At the service of the members Mainly financed by them

5 Relationship with the Holy See : what we have achieved Restoration of a serene relationship with Secretariat of State and major dicasteries New statutes and rules, and a general Decree A gift of the Holy Father A new governance framework Strong relationships with Cor Unum and the SoS A new ecclesiastical assistant: Fr Pierre Cibambo Collaboration on a frequent basis, on public positions, and on establishing renewed HR and finance frameworks

6 Relationship with the Holy See : why those changes The chirograph letter of Blessed John Paul II made CI an entity of the HS This principle was to be transformed in law: new Statutes and Rules ; a general decree It is a recognition of the importance of Caritas as a major social pastoral actor in the Church: the struggle against poverty today is not only economic but also moral and spiritual, it contributes to the restoration of the dignity of the human person, family and community in a holistic way: a just and fraternal society

7 What is Caritas Internationalis doing? What the GA decides 4 strategic orientations : Continue to improve emergency preparedness and response Promote renewed development policies in specific fields Advocate for a better world Reinforce the Confederation member organisations

8 Emergency preparedness and response: what we have achieved, what we aim at Major disasters : drought and famine, floods, wars/conflicts 30 appeals in 2011, 71m / 60 pledged 36 already launched in 2012 Revision of the toolkit in progress Establishment of an emergency rapid response fund

9 Emergency preparedness and response: some challenges Presence and involvement of the donor + acting Caritas : reinforce the real collaboration / coordination Together we are more Caritas Country forum The preparation of expatriate staff sent in the field by MOs Mission and identity

10 Policy and advocacy work: the environment The global crisis has deepened: The euro crisis, an effect of the global one, affects all The rich countries slowly crush down Sustainable development: a must but a dream? Inequalities grow The arab spring = an arab mess? Countries are left to themselves to be torn apart: Somalia, Sudan, Mali,

11 Policy and advocacy work: what we have achieved, what we pursue The ILO convention on domestic workers A renewed understanding of Catholic peace building and reconciliation (J&P, CI and CPBN session in June) Contributions to the global reflections on climate change (Durban, soon Doha), sustainable development (Rio), food security (G20, Los Cabos; FAO), without much success

12 Policy and advocacy work: what we have achieved, what we pursue Access to ARV medicine for children (HAART campaign), and access to funding for HIV Aids programs; Preservation of neutrality in the humanitarian space Conflict resolution: Somalia, Nuba mountains,

13 Communications: what we have achieved Baobab has been launched and offers a lot of opportunities The web and the blogs carry a lot of information on the network s actions

14 Capacity building: achievements and expectations A lot of endeavours from members to help other members, but not coordinated, creating confusion and missing synergies: a new function created at CI The financial management and transparency training process brings improvement Common management standards, including a code of conduct, are being prepared

15 Main challenges for the Confederation Restore a compassionate and loving society, through solidarity at all levels Think global and act global Believe in the poor and mobilise them Be a clear expression of the Church s preferential option of the poor

16 Main challenges for the Confederation Create synergy between the general secretariat and the regional secretariats, between the global operational plan and the regional plans Reinforce the national Caritas organisations (the members of the Confederation) Promote collaboration and coordination, working together and not side by side, respecting the local social pastoral priorities

17 Main challenges for the Confederation Be Caritas in the Church: inform and mobilise the Bishops, make the common good and the dignity of the poorest a priority in the global pastoral plans, etc. Develop both domestic and international solidarity Succeed in the global campaign against poverty locally and globally: make a difference in the people s lives