Getting Ready!

CB Samuel presented three important aspects of Partnering for Change at the CCD Conference in Germany in April:
1. Solidarity of Purpose
2. Solidarity of Process
3. Solidarity of the Consequences

I would like to draw on these three points as a framework of approach for our up and coming Global Consultation in September 2012.

Solidarity of Purpose: Micah Network was formed so as to draw on the corporate vision, experience and learning from aid and mission organisations, churches and colleges who are passionate about integral mission. In coming together we can focus on how to strengthen local transformation as well as see the inter connectivity of issues which in turn have global impact. The Global Consultation is an important gathering which seeks to not only raise awareness and discussion on current pressing issues of concern but also helps us to reflect together on what impact is being seen through previous actions. The outcomes of the consultation we hope will give us clearer direction on how to focus our energies and gifts.

Solidarity of Process: Only so much can be accomplished during the 10th to 14th September 2012 gathering. It is therefore important that we engage in pre consultation discussions and preparation so as to maximise the impact of this week. For this to work we are asking for you all to engage in the process. This will include sharing your thoughts and insights through a number of short survey / questionnaires, engaging in discussions using various forum approaches, reading and reflecting on the material being prepared and sent around the network for feedback, sending in your contributions per topic. Of course the highlight of this process will be to attend the consultation. We know that this will not be possible for many of you and so I would like to ask you to consider the following:
Can arrange a pre consultation event in your country, calling on members to meet and discuss together the agenda topics and so have some shared insights to contribute? Please let me know if you can do thisand we will help to make this known to all our contacts in your country.
Are you able together to raise support for at least 1 or 2 representatives from your country to attend who would then be tasked with feeding back to all on their return?
For those who are able can you donate funds to support others to attend – if so please contact us.

Solidarity of the Consequences: We will be sending around a self-assessment questionnaire for members to review and complete so that we can ascertain together what impact previous learning has been having. We are keen to know how best to proceed in Micah Network and for this we need to know from you all what this looks like and what it means in practice.

Thanking you in advance for this solidarity!

Grace and peace

Sheryl Haw
International Director

Up and Coming Events

Integral Mission and the Community: local church, local change, global impact
Micah Network 5th Global Triennial Consultation
Dates: 10th to 14th September 2012
Location: Thun, Switzerland
For more information see here.
Note: register by 30th June for early bird reduction
Contact: events@micahnetwork.org

Missional Church Workshop
Micah Network India
Dates: 10th to 14th May 2012
Location: Don Bosco Specialised Training Centre, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi, India
For more information see here.
Contact: asia@micahnetwork.org

Integral Mission Conversation
Micah Network Uganda
Dates: 16th May 2012
Location: Lweza training Centre, Kampala, Uganda
For more information contact: africa@micahnetwork.org

The Bible: Library for African Transformation
Amahoro Africa Gathering
Dates: 21st to 25th May 2012
Location: Bujumbura, Burundi
For more information see here.

Integral Mission National Conversation
Micah Network Nepal
Dates: 23rd to 24th May 2012
Venue: Koinonia Patan Church, Kathmandu
Contact: Thir K. C. nc@micahnetworknepal.org.np

Integral Mission Conversation
Micah Network Malawi
Dates: the planned dates of 22nd to 23rd May have been postponed until October – new dates will be sent out shortly
Location: Blantyre
Contact information: events@micahnetwork.org

Integral Mission Conversation
Micah Network Bangladesh Consultation 2012
Dates: 1st June 2012
Location: Bangladesh Youth First Concerns (BYFC) Centre, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contact information: Michael Dey, michaeldey@abwaidsao.org


Integral Mission and Urban Mission
Micah Network and Operation Mobilisation UK
Dates: 21st June 2012
Location: OM International Office, Carlisle, UK
For more information see here.
Contact: events@micahnetwork.org

People Trafficking Consultation
Kairos Foundation
Dates: 18th to 21st June 2012
Location: Córdoba, Argentina
For more information see here.
Contact: cyc@karos.org.ar

Integral Mission and Reconciliation
Micah Network and Mercy Ministries
Dates: 16th to 28th June 2012
Location Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
For more information: events@micahnetwork.org

Justice: Theory Meets Practice
Micah Challenge USA
Dates:  18th to 29th June 2012
Location: Tegucigalp, Honduras
Information: Nagel Institute at Calvin College, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Kurt Ver Beek, and Carlos Hernández are leading this seminar which will be divided into three modules of approximately four days each, concentrating on Violence & Security, Land Rights, and Corruption & Transparency.
For more information: info@ajs-us.org

Humanitarian HR Africa Conference
People in Aid
Dates: 12th to 14th June 2012
Location: Southern Sun Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya
For more information see here.

World Congress of NGOs: The role of NGOs in the times of global crisis
WANGO
Dates: 5th to 8th July 2012
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
For more information see here.

Following Jesus in God’s Kingdom of Life. Guide us, Holy Spirit.
CLADE V – Fraternidad Teológica Latinoamericana (FTL)
Dates: 9th to 13th July 2012
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
For more information see here.

Pre Consultation Discussion

Ethical Evangelisation
Elmer Thiessen is currently facilitating a discussion on ethical evangelisation using the Micah Network forum space as the platform to encourage feedback and thoughts. Please log into the Micah Network web site to participate. Go to our web site and find out more

Business as Mission
Houghtan Wan will be facilitating a pre consultation discussion on Business as Mission. Some of the possible questions we can address in September are as follows:
• Is there a Christian response to Capitalism that outlines a Kingdom Value framework for society? What does this look like? (Exploring the theological, practical and learning to date on this)
• What are Kingdom Values and Christ culture in Business practice?
• How do we understand Stewardship in Creation Theology: Alternative Future and Profit with a Cause
• In what way should Fair Trade lead our agenda in advocacy for poverty alleviation?
• Principles / ethics in Business – should we endorse (already existing principles – e.g. Lausanne) or develop guidelines in Micah Network to underpin good practice?
• Considering a holistic response in our communities / societies – how can we engage / cooperate / partner with Business?

Are we asking the right questions? What would you like to see address under this topic? Please contact Houghtan: hou23@yahoo.com

Workshops and More....

We still have space for members to run workshops at our Global Consultation. If you have a topic / theme that is linked to our overall theme of Integral Mission and the Community – please let Sheryl know so we can work this into the programme. director@micahnetwork.org

If you have a question to raise or a discussion topic you would like to see on the programme, please do let us know as soon as possible as we are drawing close to finalising the programme.

CEDRA Climate & Environment Risk Tool

Following the successful field testing of the pilot version of Tearfund’s CEDRA strategic climate and environmental risk assessment tool, they are pleased to launch this new, updated, version. This second edition draws on learning and experience from partners in more than 15 countries who have carried out the CEDRA process, and has been reviewed by scientists, academics and practitioners with a broad range of development, DRR, environment and climate change experience.

CEDRA is a strategic-level environmental assessment that enables NGOs working in developing countries to integrate work stronger and able to withstand climate and environmental change.

For more information, please visit www.tearfund.org/cedra or email cedra@tearfund.org. To order a copy, please email publications@tearfund.org

‘Stepping Stones PLUS’ – Manual

This manual aims to support communities in tackling HIV-related stigma, discrimination and denial and promoting the care, respect and support for people with HIV which is the crucial missing ingredient.  Produced with support from UNICEF and three international NGOs, ‘Stepping Stones PLUS’ is a supplement to the internationally renowned ‘Stepping Stones’ training manual, published in 1995 by the Strategies for Hope Trust and ActionAid. 

Previously available only as a CD, ‘Stepping Stones PLUS’ has now been produced - in English and French - in printed form.  Selected pages can be viewed on the Strategies for Hope website: www.stratshope.org.  To order copies, please contact TALC: info@talcuk.org; www.talcuk.org

For additional information about ‘Stepping Stones’, please contact www.steppingstonesfeedback.org.  For all other enquiries, please contact the Series Editor, Strategies for Hope Trust: sfh@stratshope.org

See full article here.

Drowning in the Shallow

New album by Andy Flannagan is being released. Andy’s new album is an invitation to take some steps out into the deep water, away from the relative safety and comfort of our flat-screen worlds. These are beautiful yet painful stories of broken things being made whole and they provoke us to be involved in that process. Here there are tears, wisdom and experience gleaned from some of the world’s most difficult places.
For more information: http://www.andyflan.com/

Micah Challenge

The Jesus Agenda: Good news to the Poor – 3 part DVD and study guide resource. Register your interest on the www.micahchallenge.org web site.

Use by 2015: a scrap book of ideas for group s and individuals to use to help engage with churches and colleagues in taking action on issues of poverty and the MDGs.

Annual Membership Contributions

As we approach the half way mark of 2012, this is a reminder to all members who are still to send their annual membership contribution into Micah Network. For information on on how to send in your support see www.micahnetwork.org/contribute

Share and Learn Together

Books: we are preparing a book list to recommend to members and to have available for purchase at our Global Consultation: please let us know if you have some suggestions of which books to recommend. Write to info@micahnetwork.org

Stands: if you would like to have a stand at the Global Consultation please contact us to arrange. There is a large open area at the entrance to the conference hall which can be used for this.

Resources: if you have guidelines of good practice, case studies and other material that would be beneficial for our network to draw from and would like to make available at the Global Consultation please let us know. Write to events@micahnrtwork.org

Note: the resource library on our web site if for you to use and add to – please do make the most of this.

Membership Stats

Our current membership stats are as follows:

Africa and Middle East: members from 32 countries
• Full members: 123
• Associate members: 36
• Individual members: 21
Total: 180

Asia: members from 18 countries
• Full members: 121
• Associate members: 42
• Individual members: 23
Total: 186

Pacific: members from 2 countries
• Full members: 10
• Associate members: 5
• Individual members: 30
Total: 45

Europe: members from 9 countries
• Full members: 36
• Associate members: 24
• Individual members: 20
Total: 80

Latin America and the Caribbean: members from 19 countries
• Full members: 79
• Associate members: 9
• Individual members: 5
Total: 93

North America: members from 2 countries
• Full members: 20
• Associate members: 11
• Individual members: 13
Total: 44

Total number of countries: 82
Total number of members: 628

Note: the number shown on our web site is different as individual members are not currently showing. Some members prefer not to have their information accessible on the web site. Note: information is accessible to members only through logging in and going to The Network page. Please do use this facilitate to link with members from your country, region, similar line of work etc.