RP to host int'l confab on transformational development
One can make a difference in people's lives regardless of his/her social location or cultural setting. This holds true to World Vision as it seeks more ways to help the poor, especially children, to attain fullness of life.
On August 13 to 17, more than 100 World Vision representatives from Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America will gather at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay for the Annual Transformational Development (TD) Meeting of the members of the TD community in the World Vision partnership.
TD is a process through which children, families, and communities move toward wholeness of life with dignity, justice, peace and hope. The scope of TD includes social, spiritual, economic, political, and environmental aspects of life at the local, national, regional, and global levels.
The members of the TD community will discuss during the 4-day conference the TD being done in the countries where World Vision operates and how it can be further strengthened.
World Vision Development Foundation, Philippines (WVDF) chairman of the board, Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, will welcome the participants during the opening dinner on August 13.
On the other hand, Ms. Elnora Avarientos, WVDF executive director, will discuss the current state of the TD in the Philippines.
Mr. Bryant Myers, World Vision vice president for Development and Food Resources and author of the book, "Walking with the Poor," will be the keynote speaker during the opening dinner. In his book, Walking with the Poor, Myer presented a good theological and Biblical foundation to the holistic approach to development. The Walking with the Poor is currently used by missionaries, NGOs, church and community workers that work alongside the poor.
Additional insights on TD will be provided by Mr. Alex Lacson, author of the best-selling book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country" and Fr. Benigno Beltran, a major force in the political movement for social justice in the Philippines.
Dr. Jaisankar Sarma, World Vision International director for TD, is the lead organizer of the conference.
As a child-focused Christian development, advocacy and relief organization, World Vision, in 2005, helped more than 100 million people in 96 countries. It is one of the world's largest child sponsorship agencies.