The 52^nd Development Dynamics Course (DDC) 2022 is an 18-day training programme for the Directors and senior managers of organizations working for social development across the country. It started on 22^nd November 2022 and continues till 9^th December 2022. DDC comprises of various modules like Catholic Social Teachings (CST), Social Analysis (+gender perspectives), Community Mobilization, Project Cycle Management and Result based management, Development Communication to Climate Justice, Monitoring Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, People Empowerment, etc.

DDC kicked off with a Holy Eucharistic celebration by main celebrant His Excellency Most Rev. Francis Serrao SJ., Bishop of Shivmogga Diocese.  His homily dwelt on Synodality and the threefold Mission of the church which is- Priestly, Prophetic, and Kingly. Everyone has a role to play in this threefold mission of the church and journey together.  He highlighted on journeying in faith inviting Jesus to stay with us in times of darkness.  He shared that the success of the Church will depend on how the church become truly Synodal.

The training inauguration started with the dignitaries’ and participants’ Prayer and Lighting of the lamp. Ms. M. Shimray welcomed and introduced the Dignitaries and Participants.

Fr. Jolly Puthenpura Assistant Executive Director thanked His Excellency for gracing the event and the participant for showing interest in this course. He encouraged the participants to take it seriously and make the best use of the opportunity. He also emphasized the need to take an active part in all the activities of the training and learn the maximum from it.

The Chief Guest’s message highlighted that learning is a process that should never stop; when a person stops learning, he is equivalent to being dead. We should always recognize our room for improvement and learning. He encouraged the participants to seek and learn to become the light of the world. He stressed becoming the messenger by living the word of God. He quoted saying .. “the need to get out of the wrath of the institutions we are in…”

He encouraged the participants to be courageous, creative, effective and innovative. His Excellency also emphasized the need for a paradigm shift- in our community-oriented action from Project to Programme and Rice to Rights Approach and emphasized that we should diagnose the issues that affect our communities and capacitate them to solve them. He motivated every participant to continue learning and contribute to the growth of the organization each one is working in and wish the participants a great learning experience.

Fr. Dumming Dias, the Director of Sannidhi Pastoral Renewal Centre welcomed the participants and introduced the facilities of the centre to the participants.

Fr. Jolly facilitated Module I, which was an enriching session on Catholic Social Teachings (CST), where he elaborated the detailed overview of the Fundamentals & Principles of Catholic Social Teachings. He emphasized why Catholic Social Teachings need to be imbibed…as it helps in the formation of our heart, our own inner transformation, and adopting a communitarian and integrated lifestyle. He highlighted the 4 Fundamental Principles of CST: Dignity of the Human Person, The common good, Subsidiarity and Solidarity. He also highlighted the 7 supplementary principles of CST, which are- Rights and Responsibilities, Dignity of Labor, Option for the poor and vulnerable, Participation, Stewardship of Creation, Promotion of PEACE, and The Role of Government. CSTs is a set of guidelines developed for practising a positive and action-oriented spirituality; Living in solidarity, peace and union with one another, practice genuine love, care, concern and trust; working for a more decent and just world; defending and promoting human rights; responsibility to take care of our planet; Pursue the goal of integral and sustainable development.

All the committees were constituted for the smooth functioning of the training programme.  In total 34 people participated in the training. Out of the 34, 19 are priests, 11 are religious nuns with two laymen and 2 laities.