Society of St. Vincent DePaulSociety of St. Vincent DePaulMay 9May 9thth 2009 2009

THE VINCENTIAN FAMILYTHE VINCENTIAN FAMILYANDAND

SYSTEMIC CHANGESYSTEMIC CHANGE

The Commission to Promote The Commission to Promote Systemic Change Systemic Change

To study available material concerning systemic change

To discuss our own involvement inSystemic Change

To formulate a series of “effective strategies” flowing from the gospels and from our Vincentian tradition

To propose how the effective strategies might be best disseminated among the members of the Vincentian Family throughout the world

Vincentians come from ……….

Vincentians are united ………..

Vincentians witness …………...

Vincentians collaborate……….. Vincentians see…………………

Our Global Family Story:Our Global Family Story:think globally…….think globally…….

Vincent’s WayVincent’s Way think systemically…….think systemically…….

“Systemic Change” is a contemporary phrase.

Yet essentially Vincentian

The poor live within social systems

More than providing relief, important though that is.

A SystemA System

A system is a perceived whole whose elements ‘hang together’ because they continually affect each other over time and operate toward a common purpose.

Social Systems Social Systems

Social and political institutions are : context

meant to provide the resources people need to survive

meant to ensure that basic human needs are met.

often exclusive, unequal and entrapping

A system is composed of parts, but you cannot understand a system by looking only at its individual parts. You need to work with the whole of a system, even as you work with individual parts or isolated problems.

Systemic ThinkingSystemic Thinking

Systemic ThinkingSystemic Thinking

“If you want to change individual or local behaviours, or if you want to resolve an issue, you have to tune into the system-wide influences on the behaviour or the issue. You have to use what is going on in the whole system to understand individual behaviour, and you have to inquire into individual behaviour to learn about the whole. “

KeywordsKeywords

Root causesRoot causesTransformationTransformation

SystemsSystems

KeywordsKeywords

They commit themselves to work for They commit themselves to work for social transformation to change the social transformation to change the unjust structures that cause povertyunjust structures that cause poverty

(DC constitution)(DC constitution)

Act locallyAct locally….….Change is PossibleChange is Possible

Hope is kindledHope is kindled

Act locally…Act locally…

Change is PossibleChange is PossibleHope is kindledHope is kindled

Nearer to home : The Passage

Act locally….Act locally….Change is PossibleChange is Possible

Hope is kindledHope is kindled

Each of us holds a piece of the jigsaw in ministryEach of us holds a piece of the jigsaw in ministryEach of us sheds a little light through itEach of us sheds a little light through it

Each of us holds hope in our handsEach of us holds hope in our handsEach of us can act for changeEach of us can act for change

Act Locally: Reflect

Start with your own experienceWho do you walk with?What to you see?What are you called to do?What is the challenge?What are systems that surround your people?What causes the poverty?What will transform it and the lives of the people?And what of the systems we are as individuals, local communities, a conference, nationally?

Nearer to home: The JigsawNearer to home: The Jigsaw

Parish ministry; young parentsAsylum seekers and refugeesPeople in prisonPeople who have a learning disabilityMigrantsSpiritual and pastoral careYoung peopleOlder peoplePolitical lobbying against unjust structuresSisters and environmental awarenesscountriesHomeless peopleUnemployed

Act locallyAct locallyChange is PossibleChange is Possible

Define a local and specific need - the issue Start to respond in a modest but quality way - our hope

What systems, or parts of a system, are at work in this issue?

Build awarenessEnlist and empower an organised, multi-faceted response

It’s been there all the time!It’s been there all the time!

Vincent at ChatillonVincent at Chatillon

The SVP todayThe SVP today

Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac were leaders of change:

sense of urgency guiding teams. a transforming vision simple and heartfelt message empowered others to act models of servant leadership

A simple tool for us all to follow

What do we bring to the table as Vincentians?

1. Having a holistic vision1. Having a holistic vision

2. Placing particular emphasis on self-help and self- 2. Placing particular emphasis on self-help and self- sustaining programs sustaining programs

3. Constructing a shared vision with diverse stakeholders:3. Constructing a shared vision with diverse stakeholders: 4.Involving the poor themselves4.Involving the poor themselves

How?How?Vincentian Strategies For Systemic Change Vincentian Strategies For Systemic Change

Have we got a vision for our small piece of Have we got a vision for our small piece of the globe?the globe?

Let’s go for it!

ConclusionConclusion

He saw urgent needs and envisioned creative solutions. With simplicity and determination, he took the initiative to act on his vision. He gathered resources and built organisations to protect the vision. Once begun, Vincent provided the energy needed to sustain the vision and overcome obstacles and resistances; and year after year this remarkable man kept improving and strengthening the work God gave him to do.And, systems were created and changed; and peoples’ lives were better.