Religious Faith and International Humanitarian Action Conference Summary
March 27-28, 2003
Washington, D.C.
 

Uzma Farooq & Juanita Asma Gheyoub		Tahija Vikalo & Ranya Ghuma

Day 1-Thursday, March 27

Welcome from Ed Tyschan, Senior Director of International Relief and Development, the American Red Cross

Opening Address by Father Rick Ryscavage, Director, Jesuit Refugee Services

Panelist for “How Does Religion Provide the Foundation for Humanitarian Action?”

Opening Panel: “How Does Religion Provide the Foundation for Humanitarian Action?”
Panel with short presentations by individuals representing a broad spectrum of faith-based humanitarian NGO’s. [Panelists]
 

Keith Wright & discussion group

Module 1 – Break Out Topics For Smaller Group Discussion

• Cooperation between Faith-Based Humanitarian Organizations: Prospects and Challenges

• Standards for Faith-Based Humanitarian Organizations-A Higher Standard?

• Unique Contributions of Faith-Based Humanitarian Organizations
  [Brief Description of Findings]
   

Amb. Siemple & Uzma Farooq

Lunch presentation: “Religious Rights-Cornerstone of Civil Society?”

Guest Speaker: Ambassador Robert Seiple, President and CEO, Institute for Global Engagement, and former President, World Vision, Inc., former U.S. Ambassador At Large for International Religious Freedom

Ambassador Seiple spoke on the true correlation between religious rights and national security. His words challenged all to think about how to conceptualize a new “realpolitik” that includes religious values and religious freedom as a foundation for a better world.

Mark Engman reporting to group

Module 2 – Break Out Topics for Smaller Group Discussion

• Proselytizing

• Trends in Faith Based Humanitarian Organizational Development

• Relations With Donors (Private, Public, Foundations)

• Challenging the Status Quo: Advocacy on the Ground
  [Brief Description of Findings]

Plenary Session – Capturing Findings from Modules 1 and 2


End of Day 1

Day 2-Friday, March 28

Dewey, Ryscavage, Getman

Morning Speakers

Ambassador Arthur E. Dewey, Assistant Secretary of State, Population, Refugees and Migration, United States Department of State Ambassador Dewey gave the attendees an excellent understanding of how we might play a role in working with the U.S. Government to provide a faith perspective on matters of humanitarian importance. He reminded us not forget the millions of affected populations in Africa, even during the high profile Iraq emergency. He concluded by describing how his office and the Departments of State and Defense are making proactive efforts to integrate non-governmental organizations’ perspectives into the military intervention in Iraq.

Dr. Doug Johnston, President, International Center for Religion and Diplomacy

Dr. Johnston spoke on the ways that religion can be a unifying, positive force for change in the world, and how faith-based humanitarian agencies might harness this approach in our work overseas. He also discussed the work that the International Center for Religion and Democracy is doing, particularly in Sudan and in Kashmir.


Module 3 – Break Out Topics for Small Group Discussion

• Host Government and Faith-Based Organization Relations

• Religious Freedom: Cornerstone of Civil Society?

• Perspectives on Faith-Based Organizations: International Organizations, UN Agencies, and the Media

• Interaction with Affected Populations: Managing Impact
  [Brief Description of Findings]

Closing Session: “Tangible Take-Aways”
Father Richard Ryscavage, Jesuit Refugee Services

End of event