Vincentians Working Together Against Poverty and Its Causes: A Systemic Change Approach

1. Introduction:

It is for me a great honor to be amongst you today, presenting the work of the Commission for Promoting Systemic Change. 

Before starting my presentation, I would like to express my gratitude to Father Donald Harrington C.M. and to the University’s Board Members for their invitation and for the title with which they will honor me.  It seems important to mention that I have never been alone in these many years of serving the poor. The AIC, association to which I belong, has given me the possibility to share the efforts and the experiences of thousands of volunteers in the world; the Vincentian Family the opportunity of learning and working together, sharing our common charisma; the Commission for Promoting Systemic Change has provided me with important tools and strategies to serve the poorest in a more effective way.

I am really grateful for all the relationships that have deeply marked my life and have given me reasons to be faithful to my commitment to the poorest.

The AIC (International Association of Charities)

I would like to say a word about the AIC, association to which I belong, inspired and founded by Saint Vincent de Paul, in1617, first organization founded by Saint Vincent. 

In 52 countries in the world, through the actions of its volunteers, the AIC favors the relations between the local and the international levels, and the solidarity and closeness to the grass roots work.  This allows the underprivileged to become actors of their own development and that of their communities. University of Louvain for thefor

The AIC works mainly with marginalized women, to help them search and promote their autonomy and favors actions to denounce and exercise pressure upon unjust structures and upon those who have decision power to struggle against the causes of poverty.  As a civic organization, the AIC participates in an international network integrated by public, religious and private organizations that share the same objectives and are committed to eradicate poverty, injustice and exclusion and to defend the rights of the poorest. 

In your country, the AIC is known as Ladies of Charity of the USA, the largest AIC association in the world.  The Ladies of Charity are not only committed to serve the poor spiritually and corporally but also to promote real and deep changes in their lives, motivated by their fidelity to Christ, the Evangelizer of the poor. It is important to underline that the efforts of the Ladies of Charity are also directed to advocacy issues and to the transformation of the unjust situations which affect the lives of a high percentage of human beings, deprived of the most fundamental human rights.

2.  The Systemic Change approach

After this introduction, I am going to present the Systemic Change Approach, closely related to the theme chosen for Saint John’s  Founder’s Week: "Vincentian Transformations: Changing Hearts, Creating Peace".  I believe Systemic Change is also closely related to the fundamental goals of the University “Wherever possible, the University devotes its intellectual and physical resources, to search out the causes of poverty and social injustice and to encourage solutions which are adaptable, effective, and concrete. In the Vincentian tradition, the University seeks to foster a world view and to further efforts toward global harmony and development, by creating an atmosphere in which all may imbibe and embody the spirit of compassionate concern for others so characteristic of Vincent.

In the same order of ideas, Mgr Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, at the end of 2008, said: The respect of human wrights is the fruit of justice and a guarantee for peace.  This is also very clear stated in the Church’s Social Teachings:  

In an address given in 1979, to the Congregation of the Mission, Pope John Paul II stated:“Social thinking and social practice inspired by the Gospel must always be marked by a special sensitivity towards those who are most in distress, those who are extremely poor, those suffering… from hunger, neglect, unemployment and despair. You will also want to seek out the structural reasons which foster or cause the different forms of poverty in the world and in your own country, so that you can apply the appropriate remedies.”

Faithful to the Church’s Social Teachings and to those of our founder, the Superior of the Congregation of the Mission, Father Gregory Gay C.M. and his Council, decided to create a Commission for Promoting Systemic Change, and asked us to study and diseminate the product of our reflexions among all the different branches of the Vincentian Family.

For all of us, members of the Commission, the first thing was to clearly understand the concept. We had to learn to see the world anew, and to introduce new dimensions and wider perspectives. It was imperative to understand why some Vincentian projects are successful and change the lives of many poor persons, and why many others are only palliatives and maintain the prevailing standards of poverty.

Structural thinking, systemic thinking does not come easily to us.  It requires an informed understanding of the real circumstances of the poor.  It requires patience, analysis, and a disciplined search for solutions.  Beyond that, structural change demands dialogue, collaborative action, and perseverance.  But without structural thinking and structural change, the root causes of poverty remain embedded in society, even if programs that we set up are successful in dealing with some symptoms.

Each of us lives within a socio-economic system whose parts interact with each other.  If the system is working well, it favors personal growth.  If not, it thwarts growth and accelerates decline.  Lack of education, of work, money, food, health and so on, are closely related and form the circle of poverty, difficult to break.  Similar things can be said about housing, sanitary conditions, health care and other basic human needs.  The elements in a poorly functioning system influence one another and move a person, step by step, deeper into poverty.  The challenge for a systems thinker is to know where and how to break the circle. A positive or negative change in one of the elements of a system, affects the whole system.

Systemic change projects aim at creating more just social structures so the opportunities might be more equitably distributed.  Thinking systemically, Vincent encouraged his followers to examine various elements in people’s lives to see what their most important needs were: nourishment, health care, education, work, spiritual care, etc.

Today we are conscious that people who are poor live within a social system where some or many of these elements are lacking, a system that, if changed, can help a person emerge from poverty.

3.  Successful strategies and Systemic Change stories

The Commission identified several successful strategies, very important, if not indispensable, to give place to real and deep changes in the projects and services provided by the members of the Vincentian Family.  For a better comprehension, we divided the strategies, according to their orientation and main objectives:  Mission, People, Task and Solidarity and Networking oriented strategies.

Through the exposition, I am going to present some of our Systemic Change stories.  In all of them, you will see the poor themselves, working together and being advocates of their own causes. Probably many of you would think those stories are very far away from you, and that those projects are beyond your capacity.  This is true, but at the same time, it is important to underline, that every one of them started by a little step, and that those who implemented the projects have much lees resources than most of us have.

3.1. Mission oriented strategies (motivation and direction)

Mission oriented strategies flow from our identity as Christians who are attempting to listen to the word of God attentively, and are seeking to serve the poor in word and work. Mission oriented strategies must be present in every Vincentian project.  They are fundamental to live the mission and advance towards the common vision. 

Vincent continually urged the members of his Family to love the Poor “Affectively and effectively”, “Spiritually and corporally”, “By word and work”.  First do, then teach was his rule for effective organization.

Saint Vincent was a visionary leader who empowered his followers to act according to his vision.  He transmitted his vision.  His mission lasted even when he was no longer there.

These strategies are a condition for all Vincentian projects.

• Consider poverty as the product of injustice, focusing on actions that will break the circle of poverty
• Design projects, creative strategies, policies and guidelines that flow from our Christian and Vincentian values and mission,
• Evangelize and inculturate Christian and Vincentian values and charisma, by maintaining a profound respect for the local culture

3.2. People Oriented Strategies (focusing on the poor as the persons who are most capable of changing their own situation)

All the strategies identified in this category, are centered on the persons of the poor. As Vincentians, inspired by Jesus Christ the Evangelizer of the poor, we must be attentive to their cries, their needs and their aspirations, so that we not only serve and evangelize them, but also that we are evangelized by them. They have as a prerequisite the participation, promotion, and empowerment of the poor and express solidarity with them in promoting Systemic Change.

Saint Vincent promoted radical changes in the lives of the poor.  He turned the world upside down, giving the first place to the last.  It is only when we learn from the poor that we can be inventive in serving them.  “The poor are our lords and masters”.  This implies respect, affection, solidarity, listening to their needs and aspirations, to their cries for justice and peace.

• Listen carefully and seek to understand the needs and aspirations of the poor, creating an atmosphere of respect and mutual confidence and fostering self-esteem among the people
• Involve the poor themselves, including the young and women, at all stages: identification of needs,  planning, implementation, evaluation and revision
• Educate, train, and offer spiritual formation to all participants in the project
• Promote horizontal learning processes, forming effective multiplying agents and visionary leaders in the local community, to be servant leaders inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul
• Construct structural and institutional models, where communities can identify their resources and needs, make informed decisions, and exchange information and effective strategies within the community and among various communities
• Promote engagement in political processes, through civic education of individuals and communities
• Support and respect the mechanisms for promoting solidarity that exist among the community members

 I have a D.R.E.A.M.  A project carried out in collaboration between the Daughters of Charity and the Community of Saint Egidio.

            The acronym DREAM signifies “Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition”. 

Since 2002, Project DREAM has been applying in Africa, with extraordinary success, the standards of treatment now used in developed countries.  Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) chose it as a case study for treating AIDS.  This project is coordinated by Father Robert Maloney, at the request of the Daughters of Charity and the Community of Saint Egidio, main partners in this important project.

Giving particular attention to the sufferings of the sick persons, DREAM provides treatment to children and adults who are HIV-positive, but its special focus is to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS from a pregnant woman to her new-born child and to maintain the on-going health of the mother.

When Ana Maria first arrived to participate in DREAM she weighed a skeletal 64 pounds. Upon discovering that she was HIV positive, her husband had left her and her neighbors isolated her. As she struggled to take care of her six children she realized that she was dying.  Today she and her children are well.  In fact, Ana Maria is filled with fighting talk and enthusiasm as she promotes the struggle against AIDS, fuelled by her awareness that she would be dead if she had not received treatment.

          Joaosinho has become a symbol of DREAM and one of its most loved patients.  He was the 1000^th baby born to HIV-positive women receiving treatment.  Like other children born in DREAM before and since, he now has the chance to lead a healthy life. Joaosinho has another reason to rejoice as he faces the future:  his mother is alive and healthy and will take care of him in the years to come.   Treatment helped Ana Maria so much that, as her medication was phased down, her inmune system became almost normal. 

          The women that have received the treatment have become the principal agents in this project.  They are trained as formators of many other sick women that work shoulder to shoulder with the Daughters ofCharity in order to make decision makers aware of the importance of preventing this illness that affects a hight percentage of human beings.

3.3. Task Oriented Strategies (organization)

Task Oriented strategies are based on organization.  Saint Vincent has been the inspiration for countless charitable services that have produced remarkable results. Clearly some of the keys to his success were his organizational talent and his ability to transmit his vision to his followers, helping them become servant leaders by empowering them for the challenges they faced.

Vincent’s time at Chatillon-les-Dombes, when he wrote a large number of documents on organizational matters addressed to the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity and the Confraternities of Charity, marks the beginning of an enormous network of charity that channeled individual good will into effective service. These documents show how Vincent’s message was translated into organized action. Today, they continue to inspire us to aim for concrete, effective results.  Under this headline, the Commission identified six strategies that should be present in projects of the Vincentian family:

• Start with a serious analysis of the local reality, flowing from concrete data, and tailor all projects to this reality
• Have a holistic vision, addressing a series of basic human needs --- individual and social, spiritual and physical, especially jobs, health care, housing, education, spiritual growth --- with an integral approach toward prevention and sustainable development
• Implement coherent strategies, starting modestly, delegating tasks and responsibilities, and providing quality services respectful of human dignity
• Systematize, institutionalize and evaluate the project and its procedures, describing measurable indicators and results
• Make the project self-sustaining by guaranteeing that it will have the human and economic resources needed for it to last
• Be transparent, inviting participation in preparing budgets and in commenting on financial reports.  Maintain careful controls over money management.

We can illustrate this group of strategies with “The Perfect Storm”, one of the stories on Systemic Change proposed by Gene Smith, from the USA Saint Vincent de Paul Society. 

            “That is exactly what happened in San Jose de Ocoa, in the Dominican Republic.  Systemic change occurred in this community, when, thanks to a visionary leader, a number of positive elements intersected resulting in a transformed community.  A “Perfect Storm” of jointed efforts and events, transformed the lives of many poor people.  Traditionally, twinning in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is sent from one Conference to another,  so the members in the poor countries can give direct assistance to a few of the most needy. 

            Jack, the leader, came up with the creative idea of “cluster twinning” whereby large numbers of conferences and councils in the United States would send twinning support to the project through San Jose de Ocoa’s Conference and, subsequently through other new conferences in the Dominican Republic.

            In no time, large sums were sent for needed equipment to build the aqueducts and buy pipes.  Work brigades of people from many villages were formed.  When Jack returned to Ocoa, after two years, he could not believe what he saw.  Everything was green and the water system had grown.  He saw one village helping another and so on. There was a holistic effect.

 The excellent work led to many spin off projects:

• Aqueduct and irrigation work,
• water purification plants,
• Provision of private/shared potable water,
• Replacement of thatched roofs, with zinc roofs and dirt floors with cement in many  

          Homes,

• Creation of the more varied home gardens for greater nutrition,
• Farming cooperatives,
• Building of latrines for sanitation, home building.
• Now water flows to more than a hundred villages.

          By bringing water to the villages, nutrition and health improved, opportunities for work resulted and the communities grew closer.”                                     

3.4. Co-responsibility, networking and political action (participation and solidarity) 

All these strategies are closely related with the AIC Guide Lines, and also with the Saint John’s Founder’s week. For this reason, I am going to present them one by one, reflecting about its application and its impact on the lives of our brothers and sisters. 

They strive to be a transforming force within society. We arrive to this transformation through networking and political action. The strategies in this group are most important, if not indispensable, for producing a real change in the lives of the poor, often forgotten and neglected. 

The members of the Commission recognize the importance of being co-responsible for the transformation of society.

On several occasions, St. Vincent had to intervene in political issues in order to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. He became a public figure with great influence.  He called upon the powerful to help the poorest.  He knew that decisions made by the great affect the small. 

The first strategy in this group is: Promote social co-responsibility and networking, sensitizing society at all levels --- local, national and international --- about changing the unjust conditions that affect the lives of the poor.

Lobbing is closely related to the transformation of society:  As members of the Vincentian Family or related with it, we should lobby for the poor wherever we are present.

The next strategy is:  Construct a shared vision with diverse stakeholders:  (poor communities, interested individuals, donors, churches, governments, the private sector, unions, the media, international organizations and networks, etc.)

I consider that Saint John’s University is a privileged space to construct this shared Vision since “Saint John’s University seeks and welcomes opportunities to partner and plan with our metropolitan communities.  We encourage them to use our intellectual resources and professional expertise in developing solutions that address strategic issues of mutual concern.  On the local, state, national and international levels, the University’s alumni serve as effective leaders and responsible citizens. We pledge to foster those qualities required for anticipating and responding to the educational, ethical, cultural, social, professional, and religious needs of a dynamic world”.

What if… every one of you, every one of us

takes the challenge to be an active promoter of social justice?

Our next strategy is:  Struggle to transform unjust situations and to have a positive impact, through political action, on public policy and laws.

In several occasions, St Vincent had to intervene in political issues in order to alleviate the poor’s sufferings. He became a public figure with great influence.  During his life he was in contact with kings, queens, ministers, public authorities, noblemen, members of the highest church hierarchy, but also national and international figures.  He called upon the powerful in order to be able to help the poorest.  He knew that decisions made by the great affect the small. 

Is there something we can do?

Personally, what do I do?

The last strategy in this group is:  to have a prophetic attitude:  announce, denounce, and, by networking with others, engage in actions that exert pressure for bringing about change.

In this sense, as a Catholic and Vincentian University, Saint John’s is known worldwide for addressing issues of poverty and social justice, for being a source of professionals engaged in transforming actions to change the unjust situations that affect a high percentage of human beings.

• What is our personal contribution? 
• How many of us have become prophets in the cause of the persons who are poor?
• What if… every one of us decides to become not only a servant of the Poor, but also a                                     

            defender of their causes?

To illustrate this group of strategies, I am going to present a story of my own association, the AIC.

 AIC-Madagascar.  To be transformed in order to transform

            Very poor women, with a holistic vision, have become the subject of a transforming process.  Among their partners are the Ladies of Charity of the USA

            The AIC in Madagascar, a mission country towards which Vincent de Paul channeled great efforts, keeps his charisma alive to this day.   Actually there are thirteen AIC groups, whose members are all poor women, who work very hard to alleviate the poverty of their own families and that of their own communities.

            Networking is one of the association’s guidelines and this has allowed us to reach goals that could have not been achieved otherwise. Madagascar’s internal net links with other nets, above all with the Fathers of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, who participated in the founding and follow up of the association in the country.

            The network collaborates and receives support from international organizations, like UNICEF, Manos Unidas and many others that help through subsidies, didactic material, school materials and food. AIC-Madagascar has been recognized by UNICEF as a privileged partner and Madagascar’s volunteers have been invited to speak in international meetings sponsored by this and other international organizations. They have had the opportunity of speaking and sharing their experience and projects to support children and their nutritional projects have been selected as pilot projects. Their proposals pertaining to nutrition of children, maternal care, violence prevention, and responsible paternity have been listened and taken into consideration by decision makers.

Listening capacity, on going formation, empowerment, political action and networking are at the basis of Madagascar volunteers’ work.  Their projects show their clear commitment in a global effort to eradicate poverty.

After seeing these experiences, we can each answer the following questions:

• Is Systemic Change possible?
• What these stories and images tell us?
• Could we apply the strategies for Systemic Change in our projects? 
• Do our projects transform in a radical manner the lives of our brothers and sisters? 
• Do they have a real impact in society? 
• Do they favor a change in the structures that affect the lives of those who suffer poverty and exclusion?

What can we do?

The first prerequisite is to know that:

Change is possible:  The Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity, the Ladies of Charity and many other Catholic Organizations are always present and defend the rights of the poor at the United Nations.

Anne Sturm AIC-Past president and Rose de Lima Ramanankavana, from Madagascar, explain what can be done about poverty and exclusion. Their explanation is based on the AIC’s experience of doing hundreds of local projects for women, for children, for the elderly, for people who suffer from disease and handicaps,  all over Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Near East and the United States.

Change is possible:  “We, the NGOs of this United Nations Forum, states Father Joe Foley,demanda systemic approach to poverty eradication that addresses the prevailing lack of access because of underlying social, economic or political barriers.”

Change is possible:  Sister Mary Rose McGready D.C. has been recognized by her remarkable work in Casa Alianza, a multinational project that has helped thousands of street children.  Casa Alianza was awarded the Hilton Foundation Prize in 2000.

Change is possible:  In 2005, the Daughters of Charity have been acknowledged with the Prince of Asturias award for their extraordinary service to the poor in almost a hundred countries. Their work, their dedication and creativity are deeply recognized all over the world.  

Change is possible:  In this world, in which poverty increases every day,there are more than two million members of the Vincentian Family and thousands of students, alumni, staff and Board members, from several Vincentian Universities, such as Saint John’s, committed to struggle against poverty an injustice.  This is a hope for the future.

Change is possible:  Father Pedro Opeka, from the Congregation of the Mission, member of the Commission for Promoting Systemic Change, has built projects where Systemic Change has been achieved, in spite of the constant obstacles and the institutionalized injustice that affects the poorest of the poor in Madagascar. I am happy and hopeful to present the story ofAkamasoa.  “City of the Good Friends”

            The poor themselves are the most important key for the realization of this project. In it, all the Systemic Change strategies have been implemented.

            Our last story takes place outside Tananarive, capital of Madagascar.  The poverty of its inhabitants is a true scandal and a threat to human rights and against the dignity of God’s children. 

            When Father Pedro Opeka C.M. first arrived to Madagascar, he couldn’t believe the misery around him.    “What is there to do for the hundreds of families that live in outrageous conditions on top of a garbage dump?  He started searching for a solution with some members of the community, mostly women, and they discovered that working on the quarry could be a good departing point.  

            Today, those first settlements have become real urban communities, with all sorts of services.  On Sundays, around five or six thousand persons congregate for praising the Lord for all they have received. Nothing of this could have been possible without a strong individual, family and social discipline, grounded on personal responsibility and a firm belief in Providence.  Nothing of this could be done without women’s work at all levels.  Women from Akamasoa, all very poor, are the ones that are always denouncing the structural injustice that affects the poorest of the poor in Madagascar. 

As this work has been known around the world, the Akamasoa’s project has been extended to seventeen towns, thanks specially  to the work of the volunteers and the poor persons in the community working together, the guide and support of their leader, Padre Pedro, the Congregation of the Mission and the generous help from individuals and international organizations.

CONCLUSION

What we have seen and heard fills us with great hope.  The stories I have presented, are real.  They are stories of courage and faith, stories in which the multiple obstacles have been overcome with tenacity and perseverance, and above all with love: love for the poor, love for their dignity and human rights, love for justice and peace.

Knowing that poverty can be eliminated, we must remember that to struggle against poverty and injustice, having the poor as the center of our projects we must work first on ourselves, with a  new mentality and wider perspectives, to transform ourselves in order to transform others.