By Molly Fernandes
Dubai, Sept 2, 2024 — A five-day program is underway in Dubai that aims to help Church people to better serve marginalized communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
As many as 27 women and 33 men belonging to 34 congregations and dioceses from 28 countries are attending the September 2-6 Project Management and Fundraising Training Program.
It offers a comprehensive training that will enhance the participants’ skills to help the poor in developing countries.
Among the participants, 44 are attending the program online because of its flexibility and accessibility.
“The primary goal of this training is to equip those working at the grassroots level with skills necessary to initiate and manage projects that will impact marginalised groups,” said Percy Patrick, the training director.
“We want to ensure that these religious leaders can be the voice of the voiceless and bring about real change in their communities,” he added.
Patrick also pointed out that the training is part of programs tailored for faith-based and Catholic organizations.
He said priests and nuns working in remote areas in the outskirts of Africa and parts of Asia have had no training necessary for effectively managing their work. This program is designed to fill that gap,” he explained.
Claretian Father Lord Winner, the program’s spiritual director, said the training’ helps people to identify and address the needs of marginalized communities.
“If religious leaders are not trained, they cannot effectively advocate for the marginalised. This training helps them bring spirituality into the lives of the people they serve, making a lasting impact,” he said.
The program is organized by United Kingdom’s Tulip Management Consultancy Limited and co-funded by a German aid agency.
It also features multilingual support, with simultaneous translation in English, French, and Spanish. This helps participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to benefit from the expertise of trainers from Europe, Latin America and the United Kingdom.
Patrick said the focus of the training is to impart skills and tactics for fundraising. The participants learn skills and techniques that encompass their daily life, social interactions, and spiritual growth. “The impact of the training is far-reaching, particularly for those living in remote, poverty-stricken areas where resources are scarce,” he added.
The event also fosters cultural richness by bringing together different congregations and dioceses under one roof, promoting inclusivity, Patrick said.
The participants also include community-based individuals and charismatic leaders who make significant impacts in their communities.