September 21, 2008
The monthly House Church meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 21, 2008 was the setting for colleagues to meet and elicit input towards the upcoming ICAI 7th Global Conference on Human Development and for the group to participate in the symbolic life of Order: Ecumenical. Marie Sharp hosted the gathering at her home in Washington, D.C.
The time prior to the House Church celebration was designated for study and to report on the upcoming November 17-21, 2008 7th Global Conference on Human Development in Takayama, Japan and to continue the conversation about alleviating the Persistence of Poverty, which is one of the themes of the Global Conference in Japan. Nino Tillman, Executive Director of ICA-USA, gave a report of previous Pre-Conference events; then Lynda Cock led the discussion about alleviating the Persistence of Poverty.
The many years of ICA wisdom and experience-supplemented by current local endeavors-in human development projects in cities and villages around the world formed the backdrop of the conversation. Dwala Ferrell (former ICA Board member) and Mike Watson, a husband and wife clergy team, shared of their work with the Pathways organization in Petersburg, VA-one of the poorest cities in Virginia. Pathways is a multi-faceted community development project whose motto is "Building Lives-Awakening Hope". Susan Fertig-Dykes spoke about her experiences working with USAID in third-world countries. Jack Ballard spoke about his work with the immigrant community in Baltimore, MD. Marie Sharp shared stories from her work with job training and Bill and Nan Grow spoke about their community work in Pennsylvania.
Signs of Hope
- Changed perspectives brought about by Habitat homes
- Dramatic earthquake recovery work through ICA-Peru
- A sustainable home provides long-lasting benefits
- The power that micro credit has provided
- Younger people are willing to take on the challenges of poverty
- The Ballard's son Chris and his family in Kyrgyzstan
- The work of Su E Kim's nephew in Nicaragua
- The ministry work of Lynda's cousin in Haiti
- Lindsey Buss's work with Martha's Table in Washington, D.C.
- USAID set up an American University branch in Bulgaria. Money was repaid which allowed for reflow of money. Educational endeavors contribute to the economic health of the nation.
- "Educate a girl and the rest will be taken care of" is the theme of one self-help organization.
- When sufficient base needs are met (i.e. food, water, and housing) opportunities exist for increased health. The "have nots" suffer health wise, which spirals into other arenas.
- Building relationships is key-what we do together and providing opportunities for setting goals on a regular basis.
- Work for visible changes in local area.
- Empowerment through voting, awareness of the rules of the city, and working to get disenfranchised people registered.
- Building on assets versus needs.
- Culture makes a difference on how people "make it"- individual / consumer versus a communal culture where taking care of each other is key.
- Working with people, not doing it for them.
- YouthBuild organization-for youth between 16 and 24 years old. educates and gives job skills that apply to their community (e.g. lead abatement).
- Public.private partnerships (e.g. Hewlett-Packard and schools).
- USAID partnerships with extractive organizations
- Multi-faceted
- Partnerships
- Relationships
- Culturally-based
- Community-based
- Representational
- Mutually beneficial
- Reducing the standard of living in the USA is required in order to raise the poverty line in China.
- How many earths would it take if everyone lived at your lifestyle?
- "Self-sacrifice on behalf of has made the 14 billion years of the universe possible. Likewise, we humans are and will be effective to the extent we enter the "sacrificial mode" of the universe."
-Thomas Berry
