Designing a strategic plan for the next five-year was not easy for the official development arm of Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India. Caritas India’s strategic plan is the renewed commitment to a redefined vision for better competitive advantages with various stakeholders.

The strategy provides a clear vision for all the collaborators of Caritas India in understanding the new paradigm shift in development and placing people at the center of all the processes.

Caritas India management, Fr. Paul Moonjely, the Executive Director recognized this compelling need and steered the consultative process with experts and various stakeholders to design and develop the strategic plan which will guide Caritas India for next five-years.

“The strategic plan of Caritas India is an ideological perspective to bring about a paradigm change in the social work movement within Catholic Church”, shared Fr. Paul at Northeast Diocesan Social Service Society (NEDSSS), Guwahati on May 17, 2018. He animated the diocesan directors of Northeast Region on Caritas India’s Strategic Plan. He sought support from the regional and diocesan directors to lead the national social work of Catholic Church of India in a meaningful and professional way.

He said the strategic plan is the aspiration of the spirit of Diakonia. Its foundation is based on the Christological, Theological, Ecclesiological and Spiritual foundation. He explained Empowerment Animation, Dialogue, Volunteering and Giving Communities, the four strategic pillars of Caritas India along with strategic themes and strategic outcomes of National Strategic Plan.

The National Strategic plan cannot succeed if the conviction and engagement are not matched across at different levels. Therefore, the effort of percolating down the understanding and adoption of this strategic plan among Diocesan Social Service Societies and different congregation level can happen through the dialogue process. We will take the process at National level; Regional Forums will initiate at the regional level and diocesan social service societies will take the responsibility at diocese and parish level.

Fr. Paul suggested reviewing the regional and diocesan strategic plan which are 2 to 3 years old and revise the same as how it can be incorporated into the National Strategic Plan. I am not apprehensive about addressing all the 4 strategic pillars and 6 strategic themes but keeping in mind the local context, try what is workable at your level and bringing about perspective change in your social intervention approaches.