The 17 days long Development Dynamic Course (DDC) was conducted on November 24, 2021, under the banner of the Caritas Institute of Development Action and Learning (CIDAL) at DMI St. Thomas International Centre, Chennai. The valedictory session was attended by Bishop Mar Sebastian Pozholiparambil of Hosur and Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director, Caritas India. Bishop Mar Sebastian Pozholiparambil also release the report of the course during the session.

Serving in the social sector for the last 25 years, Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, the Executive Director of Caritas India shared his experiential inputs on Leadership and Communication with the participants. He motivated the participants to bring systems and structures into the organisation for better functioning and ensuring sustainability. He also participated in the course evaluation to understand participants aspirations and learnings from this course.

The session on Catholic Social Teachings (CST) by Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Director of Caritas India helped in building the spiritual foundation and understanding the fundamental pillars needed to promote CST. The social analysis session helped the participants to understand social problems, crises, conflicts and challenges, social system, social stratification essential to promote changes in the society. They also enhanced then understanding of gender perspective and the key Strategic Pillars of Caritas India i.e., Empowering Animation, Dialogue, Volunteerism and Sharing Community.

Community mobilisation and empowering animation are key approaches of Caritas India and participants get hands-on experience through theoretical and practical field exercises in the operational area of CRDS, Chengalpattu. The participants also learnt the Project Cycle Management and Result Based Management tools of Problem Tree Analysis (PTA), Situation Analysis and Logical Framework Matrix. A brief orientation was also given on Disaster Management, Natural Resource Management, Finance Management and Development Communications.

“DDC was an amazing learning experience. For me, it was an eye-opener in the big world of social work. Many including me have an inbuilt desire to help others but DDC helped me to increase my horizon of social work….not only towards an individual but also society at large. It imparted me with Skills and Dynamics based on values rooted in love for the service of the community and gave me a new vision to work for human dignity with renewed zeal and commitment for the sustainable development of the people by providing them with visionary leadership, motivating and influencing the lives of people for better change and transformation.” shared Fr. Sameer Nagrare from Nagpur Diocese.  

“The course was excellent …. I enjoyed the course and learned a lot from it. The content is well organised and focused on practical situations. I particularly enjoyed the bits of social analysis and climate change shared in the content,” expressed Sr. Sharmila, Project Director of Krupalaya, Tiruvannamail.

 Dr. T O Poulose, Retd. Professor and Head of Rajagiri School of Social Sciences during the evaluation session expressed that, “DDC could be called as a mini – Master of Social Work and it could be further effective if it can be given to as many people as possible working in diocesan social service field as the course is designed to make the participants empowered and prepared to be rooted in the foundation of CST.” He said that it has touched the heart and minds of the participants along with the strong sense of solidarity among them.

“DDC was a great platform to know about the realities of the society as well as the challenges before every organisation. I personally feel that more field exposure programs could have been arranged and according to each module the field activities will be much more enriching. Because I personally expected that since I am new to the field,” said Fr. Robinson, the Asst. Director of Khandwa Diocesan Social Service Society.

Mr. Nikhil, PRO of Hrudhayaram said, “thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of such a great course 51 DDC. As a newcomer in the field of social work, it was really a nice experience for me. The course was presented in an enthusiastic way. The great presentation style of the skilled resource persons like Fr. Paul, Fr. Jolly, Dr.Haridas, Ms.Shimray and Dr.Saju etc. with lots of opportunities to ask questions and talk about real-life examples made this a great success.  The whole participants were so friendly and supportive for the whole course for 17 days, which made these days memorable”

Fr. (Dr.) Samuel Lepcha, the Director of Anugalaya, Darjeeling said “DDC is a very good effort from Caritas India.  As a basic course, it is alright. But could be upgraded for more serious and focused learnings.  I am grateful to you all at Caritas India for arranging such trainings for all the beginners. Looking forward to more trainings (ODP) to be held at Agra”

Fr. Amit Mondal of Krishnagar diocese said” I take this opportunity to express my gratefulness to Rev. Fr. Paul the executive Director, Fr. Jolly the Assistant Executive director, Dr. Haridas, Ms. Shimray and all the Staff of CARITAS INDIA for Sharing your life experiences and learnings which would certainly support me as I take Directorship soon. Thanks for this DDC- Development Dynamics Course, which enhanced my knowledge. I have enjoyed learning lot of new things through group activities and interactions and from all the sessions”

Fr. Kholi and Fr. George from Imphal expressed, “We have gained a lot from it, and we will cherish it for a long time to come. Thanks to all the wonderful animators and in a very special way to Ma’am Shimray and Dr. Haridas who have been with us throughout the program. Thanks, you dear Fathers and sisters and Dr. Paulous and Mr. Nikil. It’s been a great journey together for the last 17 days together. Hope and pray that we will meet once again somewhere. The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning*”(Ivy Baker Priest)”

Since the course began on 8th November, the participants completed all the sessions, lectures, field visits, and evaluations. This year 24 Directors and Assistant Directors, 1 Deacon, 9 sisters and two laypeople across the country enrolled for the DDC and provided certificates for successfully completing the course. All the participants appreciated the well-organised course and technical expertise of the resource persons. Few also expressed the need for advanced level courses, practical sessions and more time for detailed sessions. The overall expression of the participants was overwhelming and all of them expressed to get more such courses in future from Caritas India.

Caritas India’s 51st Development Dynamics Course concluded with a lot of new learnings and aspirations. This flagship program is hosted every year to train and equip new Diocesan Directors of Social Apostolate and other members of the congregation to acquire analytical and technical skills in development work. It is noteworthy that Caritas India technical experts like Ms. Asha Ekka, Ms. M. Shimray, Dr. Saju Moonjely, Mr. Anjan Bag, Mr. Boby Koshi and Dr. Haridas V.R. in Natural Resource Management have led this year DDC in the respective sessions of Social Analysis, Key Strategic Pillars, Community Mobilisation & Empowering Animation, Disaster Management, Financial Management and Natural Resource Management