To review the progress of the Samvaad, dialogue for peace programme in the Western Uttar Pradesh, Missio representative visited India on February 25, 2019. Situated in Germany, Missio follows the principle of “help the helpers” not only the financial support through donations, but also to address issues that affect the work of the project partners in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Caritas India briefed her about the Missio supported initiative in Uttar Pradesh having peacebuilding and dialogue as the core strategy at a different level.

Caritas India Executive Director, Fr. Paul Moonjely explained her about Caritas India’s interfaith dialogue platforms where Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is being consistently talked with stakeholders across the state and the country. She was also briefed about the programme goal, objectives, status, and networking efforts with related stakeholders such as civil society organizations, government departments, etc. and immediate plan.

She was accompanied by Mr. Rajesh (HOD, Caritas India) and Mr. Simon (State Officer-UP, Caritas India) to the programme areas of Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur of Western Uttar Pradesh where Meerut Seva Samaj is implementing the programme. She also met Fr. Antony (Director, UKSVK), Fr. Cyril (Secretary, MSS), and Fr. Demasis (Director, MSS).

The Samvaad programme staff shared the history of the target families in terms of Human Development Indicators of literacy, gender, health, etc., types of community in terms of religion and caste, issues in the community, challenges faced by them and what do they think about the relevance of the programme.

Caritas India is focusing on rural and urban pockets and will be engaging at community and school level. The programme would reach out to 17,500 individuals in 24 villages/ urban pockets and 4 schools in both the districts. The staffs were very enthusiastic about the efforts towards efforts made by the Caritas India in the target area. Mr. Rajesh also discussed some of the strategies of how they can work in the area bringing all types of communities together with the common theme of WASH, which has an impact on all the people in the community regardless of caste, color, religion, gender, age, etc.

Missio representative also met Bishop Francis Kalist of Meerut Diocese and discussed the past and current socio-political situation of the region especially in the context of religious minorities. He explained about the emerging needs of the people and at the same time challenges lingering over. The programme envisages achieving the expected goals and objectives in the given the challenges by working collectively.