Teamwork in a changing world

Caritas International Belgium Teamwork in a changing world

Isabel Corthier

Isabel Corthier

31/07/2018

What connects Belgium, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Niger, Ethiopia, and Haiti? Caritas International has headed various projects in these countries for several years. This time, the project is a bit special because of its transnational nature. What do they have in common? A transversal objective: empowerment in a world on the move.

Over the next five years, Caritas will carry out initiatives in these seven countries in order to promote solidarity, dignity, and resilience. These initiatives will aim to strengthen the population and thus bring about positive and sustainable change. The “Empowerment in a world on the move” program is the result of several months of planning regarding the new five-year program financed by the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid[1].

Synergy

This program has resulted in a brand new collaboration with the Commission Justice et Paix (CJP). Like Caritas, the CJP is part of a global Catholic network and shares a set of values and visions with our organization. Caritas and CJP are already working together in other countries. Thanks to this DGD program, we are now working more closely together in Belgium, as well. This is how we have been able to put in place a common agenda that builds on the strengths of our partnership.

Thanks to Caritas International’s expertise in the Global South, CJP’s awareness and education initiatives in Belgium have a more concrete impact on the ground. Contrastingly, Caritas can draw on CJP’s many years of experience to greater develop its advocacy and awareness projects centered on the link between “migration and development.”

Food security and awareness

Poverty is not disappearing fast enough. Migration is constantly evolving. As a consequence, there are more and more people risking their lives.

What changes are we seeking? First of all, we are hoping for the improvement of living conditions of the most at-risk rural populations in countries where we have already created a network of local partners.

Secondly, we are looking to raise awareness among the Belgian population and Belgian policymakers concerning the link between migration and development on the one hand, and our way of life and our economic, political and environmental choices on the other.

The key: empowerment

Empowerment represents a strengthening of the material and organizational skills of people and communities in order to allow them to take charge of their own lives. This is exactly what we are hoping to bring about with this program, both in the Global South and in Belgium. This is the only way to change policies in our country to enable those living in the South to improve their living conditions in a sustainable way.

Want to know more?

Are you interested in knowing more about the specific projects in each of the seven countries? Check out our project briefings by country.


With the support of the Directorate-General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid – DGD

Caritas International Belgium Teamwork in a changing world



[1]

More information at website of the DGD.

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