February Action Alert

The United Nations, Systemic Change, and the Vincentian Family

The term systemic change is used increasingly at sessions on a variety of topics at the United Nations (UN). There is a growing awareness that many of the problems of the world cannot be solved with increasing aid without changing the structures and systems which mire people in poverty. The Vincentian Family, of which all of us are members with almost 2 million other people around the world, is well aware of the need for systemic change and is actively engaged in training Family Members throughout the world.

 

Since 2006 when a Commission for Systemic Change was established for the world-wide Vincentian Family, multiple workshops have taken place throughout the world: Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Cameroon, India, the United States and several sites in Europe. These workshops were designed to provide leaders within the Vincentian Family with a basic understanding of systemic change and the tools to begin looking at ministry through a system change lens. Workshops are now being offered at regional levels, not only for leaders, but also for those with whom and to whom they minister. 

 

Society has come to be viewed by economists and sociologists as a system. When elements that influence the lives of people within the system — family, institutions, jobs, housing, food and drink, health care, education, moral values, spiritual development, and more — function together positively, people thrive. If one or several of these elements are lacking, the whole system begins to break down. Systemic change seeks to understand the root causes of poverty and provide people with the tools that will enable them to lift themselves out. 

 

If we think of the two feet of Christian service, charity and justice, systemic change is the justice element. Charity is a direct response to a need. For instance, after a hurricane or tornado people have immediate needs. But when generations of a family return to the soup kitchens and food pantries it is a sign that the problem is of a systemic nature and, therefore, a different type of response is required. Systemic change responds promptly to human needs while respecting the individual’s right to determine his/her own future. The goal of systemic change in the Vincentian Family is a more just world order.

 

Ten Principles That Facilitate Systemic Change

• VISION: Have a holistic vision that addresses both individual and social needs, as well as spiritual and physical needs. Clearly articulate your hopes and dreams. Ask the question: “Where do we want to go?”
• PARTICIPATION: Invite everyone to the table who has a stake in the outcome: administrators, staff, those living in poverty themselves.
• GATHER DATA: Invite input from as many sources as possible to provide a clear picture of the situation.
• IDENTIFY ROOT CAUSES: Look for the underlying factors which are causing the problem(s).
• NETWORK: Explore other agencies and/or persons who might have resources available; collaborate and engage in coalition building. Construct a shared vision with diverse stakeholders: poor communities, interested individuals, donors, churches, governments, NGOs, the private sector, and the media.
• CAPACITY BUILDING: Provide training and resources to all participants to enhance their ability to participate in their own development, both as individuals and as members of the organization.
• DESIGN: Design a project or program which will meet the needs of your situation and help to eliminate the root causes of poverty.
• IMPLEMENT: Put your project or program into action involving all stakeholders.
• EVALUATE: Create an evaluation process which engages all stakeholders; set-up measurement criteria as an ongoing evaluation strategy.
• FOSTER TRANSPARENCY: Invite participation in preparing budgets and in commenting on financial reports, while promoting good money management and maintaining careful controls over the use of assets.

Reflection/Action:

1. Learn more about systemic change. Go to Vincentian Family Website (click on VinFormation, then systemic change resources) for PowerPoint presentations and teaching modules about systemic change.
2. If you are in active ministry, ask yourself, “Is this ministry promoting systemic change?” If not, what steps can I take to move towards systemic change? All ministries are good. The question is, “Can they be better?”
3. Plan a regional workshop on systemic change. Contact Sr. Cj at the NGO office (cjwilliengo@gmail.com) or Sr. Julie at the SC Federation office (scfederation@gmail.com) for more information.
4. Plan to attend the National Vincentian Family gathering in Indianapolis from October 25-27, 2013.
5. Say the Vincentian Family Prayer for Systemic Change daily: We praise and thank you, O God, Creator of the Universe. You have made all things good and given us the Earth to cultivate. Grant that we may always use created things gratefully and share them generously with those in need. Give us creativity in helping those living in poverty to meet their basic human needs. Open our minds and hearts so that we might stand at their side and assist them to change whatever unjust structures keep them in poverty. Enable us to be brothers and sisters to them, in their struggle for fundamental human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

“To understand systemic change is to understand that everything is connected to everything else.”

---

“We Define Ourselves as a Nation of Immigrants”

This quote from President Obama’s recent speech in Nevada describes most of the citizens in the United States of America yet current statistics place the undocumented in America at around 11 million people. Comprehensive immigration reform was mentioned in President Obama’s inaugural speech. In addition, other leaders have spoken out about the issue including Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) and a bi-partisan group of U.S. legislators (Senators Bennet (D–CO), Durbin (D–IL), Flake (R–AZ), Graham (R–SC), McCain (R–AZ), Menendez (D–NJ), Rubio (R–FL), and Schumer (D–NY)). Additionally, the U.S. Catholic Bishops have long supported comprehensive immigration reform.

What do those currently speaking out have to offer with regard to comprehensive immigration reform? Included in President Obama’s four-part plan is:

• Continuing to strengthen border security
• Cracking down on employers that hire undocumented workers
• Creating a path to earned citizenship
• Streamlining our legal immigration system

Included in the bipartisan group of Senators set of principles are:

• Create a tough but fair path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States that is contingent upon securing our borders and tracking whether legal immigrants have left the country when required.
• Reform our legal immigration system to better recognize the importance of characteristics that will help build the American economy and strengthen American families.
• Create an effective employment verification system that will prevent identity theft and end the hiring of future unauthorized workers.
• Establish an improved process for admitting future workers to serve our nation’s workforce needs, while simultaneously protecting all workers.

In their 2003 pastoral letter, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, the U.S. Catholic Bishops (and Mexican Catholic Bishops) called for a series of reforms to the broken U.S. immigration system, including:

• Policies to address the root causes of migration, such as global poverty.
• Reform of our legal immigration system, including an earned legalization program, a future worker program with appropriate worker protections, and reductions in waiting times in family-based immigration categories.
• Restoration of due process for immigrants.

While there are similarities in these different groups’ ideas, there will no doubt be great debate in the coming month as President Obama emphasized in his Nevada speech, “…who gets the privilege of becoming a citizen of the United States of America. That's a big deal.” The big question now as President Obama put it is, “Do we have the resolve as a people, as a country, as a government to finally put this issue behind us?” Yet President Obama also spoke that this is, “…not just a debate about policy. It’s about people. It’s about men and women and young people who want nothing more than the chance to earn their way into the American story.”

The time has come.  Each American citizen is called to add their voice to this debate by contacting U.S. legislators.  How wide are the arms of each of us spread in welcome as Jesus speaks (Mathew 25:35), “I was ‘an immigrant’ and you welcomed me?”

Reflection/Education/Action:

• Individuals are invited to call U.S. Senators urging them to support comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes family unity and provides a pathway to full citizenship (1.202.224.3121; Charges apply).
• An electronic postcard can be sent from the U.S. Catholic Bishops website, Justice for Immigrants.
• A manual for faith group education is located here.
• Catholic Sisters Billboard Campaign has some useful resources including a prayer service.
• Interfaith Immigration Coalition works between the faiths to urge comprehensive immigration reform.
• National Council La Raza website is a useful site for anyone desiring to keep learning about the Latino/Latina community and be an active advocate. 

---

Other Items of Interest

Preventing Gun Violence

In mid-January, interfaith leaders including U.S. Catholic Bishop Steven E. Blaire (Chair of USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development), urged the U.S. Congress and the Administration to support reasonable national policies to help prevent gun violence. This includes requiring a background check of those purchasing guns, that high capacity weapons and ammunition magazines not be available to civilians and that gun trafficking be made a federal crime (currently those without federal license for selling guns are only prosecuted).   The letter is located here.

• Reflect upon what you experience as a result of continued violence using guns.
• February 4 is an American National Call-In Day to prevent gun violence. A new website, Faiths Calling invites U.S. citizens to call U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to act to prevent gun violence and put our shared grief into collective action (202.224.3121; charges apply)
• What other actions can I take personally to rid the violence that remains in my own heart and educate others on the root causes of violence?

Lent 2013

• Operation Rice Bowl materials (Catholic Relief Services) are located here. Materials are free and can be used in parishes, schools and faith communities.
• Caring for Creation Calendar located here.
• Spirituality of Soil materials for each week of lent located here.         

Climate Change                            

Climate change is an issue gaining momentum since President Obama’s inaugural speech. On the journey toward legislation, individuals and groups are invited to raise awareness on the issue through the following actions:

• The Interfaith Power and Light invites faith communities to a climate change preach-in the weekend of February 9-10. Resources are available here.
• February 17 is a day of Climate Action. More information is located here.     
• The documentary, Hungry Tide, describes the effects of climate change on one community. A discussion guide is available here.
• The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change has resources located here.