Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (TASOSS), the social arm of Tamil Nadu Bishops’ council took lead in organising workshop on the dissemination of ‘Key Strategic Pillars of Caritas India’. The Diocesan Directors and senior programme officers from 25 Diocesan Social Service Societies participated in this collective reflection on 11^th and 12^th January 2019 at Trichy. The Director of TASOSS, Fr.Albert Thambidurai said that this workshop will lead to developing clear perspectives at the regional level leading to Regional Perspective Plan which will be the consolidation of Diocesan Perspective Plans. They will be in alignment with the national plan of Caritas India with contextualisation.

“Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel; or in other words, of the church’s mission for the redemption of humanity and its liberation from every oppressive situation” Said Fr.Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India in his introductory note.

Strategic Plan 2018-2023 charts a new course for Caritas India by defining the four strategic pillars i.e., Empowerment Animation, Dialogue, Volunteering and Giving Communities. These four strategic pillars represent the development philosophy and the theory of change of Caritas India. Fr.Paul explained the logical connections between the theory of Change and Strategic Pillars of Caritas India. With practical examples, he explained the difference between perspective building, strategic actions and thematic actions.

Building power in all aspects of people’s lives is the main thrust of empowering animation wherein it makes the powerless the real subjects of change capacitating them to be the self -propellers of change.

Collectivization is the answer to the problems and issues of the marginalised people and it enables them to come together to build a movement for change.

Strong volunteer movement at all levels for social change is the need of the hour. While explaining about sharing communities Fr.Paul observed that we begin with Diakonia and go to the transformation agenda. If the process is correct, then the results are bound to come good.

Dr.Gayathri, Research Officer, TASOSS  said that SDGs should be understood as a drive from global perspectives to the local relevance and role of Civil Society Organizations in SDG engagement is significant. SDGs are a set of plans of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. The organizations which work for change should commit themselves to attain the targets set in the SDGs. She continued saying that the activism owned by people will be safe in future and for that one has to closely monitor the Realization, Representation, and Regulation. The question of integrity and inclusiveness should always be in our mind while implementing the programs in realization of the SDGs.

Dr.John Arokiaraj, Manager, Caritas India, threw light on ‘Perspective Building’. He said that Caritas India and partners will use their potential and capacity in the areas of policy development, research, and lobbying for systemic change and address the issues of communities experiencing exclusion. It can be achieved by increasing presence amidst communities experiencing exclusion; working in coordination with like-minded institutions and showing solidarity and compassion to the vulnerable sections. Co-ordination converts energy into synergy.

He said that perspective building gives us a closer and better view about the realities. When we have clear perspectives, we do not jump into hasty decisions. What we see depends on where we stand. Hence perspective building should have proper problem and need analysis and stakeholder analysis converging into common good with guiding values: Unity in Mission , Connectedness , Effectiveness and Enhancement of life and Mission, Decentralization , Commitment to local people, Respecting roles and boundaries, Accountability, Participative decision-making, Intercultural dimension, Autonomy and Competency and Sense of belonging /Ownership. Triangulation of Catholic Social Teachings, SDGs and VMG of organisations will facilitate emerge good perspectives leading to relevance and effectiveness.

It was decided to finalise RPP document by January 2020 and bring out the final approved RPP document by March 2020. DSSSs will be simultaneously working on either revisiting or formulating their own Diocesan Perspective Plans. A core committee of eight persons is formed to steer the entire process.