Strategic Framework as approved Sept 13 PBStrategic Framework 2013 –2015“The hungry nations of the world cry out to the peoples b lessed wit h abundance. And the church, cut to the quick, asks each of us to hear the plea and respond lovingly.”1 Introduction SCIAF was set up by the bishops of Scotland to enable the Scottish Catholic community to respond to the cry of the poor. As an agency of the c hurch, SCIAF’s approach to development is shaped by the Gospel and the Church’s social teaching, especially her teaching on development. In “Caritas in Veritate”, Pope Benedict underlined the urgency of the task and highlighted the complex and interconnected social, economic and political factors which need to be addressed. He reaffirmed t he Church’s approach to international development, and the Christian obligation to address the causes of poverty. In his first encyclical, “ Lumen Fidei”, Pope Francis reminds us that our service is grounded in faith. “Faith reveals just how firm the bonds between people can be when God is present in their midst”. 2The meaning of development Development is about the whole person. “Authentic human development concerns the whole of the person in every single dimension….Such development requires a transcendent vision of the person, it needs God.” 3 “Progress of a merely economic and technological kind is not s ufficient.”4 True development makes us more human and more aware of our own and others’ dignity, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. Development is about accompanying people on their journey “from less human to mor e human conditions.” 5 The Church’s approach t o international development Poor people, in keeping with their dignity and the fact that they are the subject, not the object of development, must be involved in planning and shaping the development programmes which affect them. They are not to be “locked into a state of dependence”6nor must they be the recipients of “humiliating handouts.”7 SCIAF’s role is to strengthen the efforts of poor people, working in partnership with them, 1 Populorum Progressio 3 2 Lu men Fidei 50 3 Caritas in Veritate 11 4 ibid 23 5 Populorum Progressio 20 6 Caritas in Veritate 58 7 Novo Millennio Ineunte 50
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“The hungry nations of the world cry out tothe peoples blessed with abundance. Andthe church, cut to the quick, asks each of
us to hear the plea and respond lovingly.”
1
Introduction
SCIAF was set up by the bishops of Scotland to enable the Scottish Catholiccommunity to respond to the cry of the poor. As an agency of the church, SCIAF’sapproach to development is shaped by the Gospel and the Church’s social teaching,especially her teaching on development. In “Caritas in Veritate” , Pope Benedictunderlined the urgency of the task and highlighted the complex and interconnectedsocial, economic and political factors which need to be addressed. He reaffirmed theChurch’s approach to international development, and the Christian obligation to
address the causes of poverty. In his first encyclical, “Lumen Fidei ”, Pope Francisreminds us that our service is grounded in faith.
“Faith reveals just how firm the bonds between people can be when God is present in their midst”.2
The meaning of development
Development is about the whole person.
“Authentic human development
concerns the whole of the person in
every single dimension….Such
development requires a transcendent
vision of the person, it needs God.” 3
“Progress of a merely economic and
technological kind is not sufficient.” 4
True development makes us more human and more aware of our own and others’dignity, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. Development is aboutaccompanying people on their journey “from less human to more human conditions.” 5
The Church’s approach to international development
Poor people, in keeping with their dignity and the fact that they are the subject, notthe object of development, must be involved in planning and shaping thedevelopment programmes which affect them. They are not to be “locked into a stateof dependence” 6 nor must they be the recipients of “humiliating handouts.” 7 SCIAF’srole is to strengthen the efforts of poor people, working in partnership with them,
1 Populorum Progressio 32 Lumen Fidei 503
Caritas in Veritate 114 ibid 235 Populorum Progressio 206 Caritas in Veritate 587 Novo Millennio Ineunte 50
providing practical support, and taking responsibility for the ways in which wecontribute to the unjust political and economic structures which cause their poverty.
Addressing the causes of poverty
Poverty is not inevitable.
“It is caused and kept going by decisions taken by us or in our name.” 8
Justice, and the obligation to work for the common good, requires us not only to givedirect support to poor communities, but also to address the causes of their poverty.Pope Benedict called this “the political path of charity, no less excellent and effectivethan the k ind of charity which encounters the neighbour directly.” 9 SCIAF providesthe means and opportunity for the church community to express its solidarity andfulfil its obligation to walk this path by raising awareness of the causes of poverty,and campaigning for change.
Being church
SCIAF is part of the global Caritas network which witnesses to the universality of theChurch in its concern for the poor. Present among the poorest communities acrossthe world, and able to raise their concerns at the highest levels, the Church fulfils itsobligation to speak out on issues of justice and development. In its understanding ofdevelopment and the range of its work, SCIAF reflects the breadth and depth of theChurch’s teaching. Not to do so would be to betray the vision of SCIAF’s foundersthat SCIAF “arouse among the Catholics of Scotland a lively awareness of theobligations arising from Christian charity.” 10
“Faith does not draw us away from the world or prove irrelevant to the
concrete concerns of the men and women of our time… Faith is truly a goodfor everyone; it is a common good. Its light does not simply brighten theinterior of the Church….it helps us build our societies in such a way that theycan journey towards a future of hope.” 11
Our VISION is of :
a world in which all people,
especially the poor and oppressed,
have the means and opportunity tolive life, and live it to the full.
Our MISSION STATEMENT directs all that we do:
Inspired by the Gospel call to build a just world, SCIAF
challenges injustice by strengthening poor and oppressed
8 Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of Scotland on the 40 th anniversary of SCIAF, 20059 Caritas in Veritate 710
people and by stimulating the Scottish public to share in our
common struggle for human dignity.
The VALUES which guide our work are:
Dignity: We believe in the intrinsic dignity of every person and theirhuman rights regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or politics.We see this diversity as a strength that helps us to respond to arapidly changing world.
Common good: We will work not only for the good of individuals and theircommunities, but also for the wider good of society in the beliefthat our efforts are a requirement of justice and charity.
Solidarity: We stand with poor and marginalised communities making theircause ours and uniting with them in prayer. We share ourresources and skills with them in order to challenge the policiesand structures that keep people poor, so that all of humanitymay flourish.
Partnership: We strive to build equitable relationships with our internationalpartners through cooperation that is built around shared valuesand clear goals. We give those responsible for the differentareas of our work the support they need to achieve these goalsin a creative and flexible way.
Sustainability: We recognise the intimate relationship between protecting andsustaining the environment and promoting human development.We strive to take proper account of ecological, social andeconomic sustainability in our work and lifestyle.
Stewardship: We are committed to the highest professional standards. Westrive to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us,cost-effective in our activities, accountable for our work,transparent in decision making, systematic in evaluating oureffectiveness and demonstrating our impact.
Our STRATEGIC AIMS for 2013- 2015
1. We will engage in authentic partnerships to deliver effective andsustainable programmes and projects that contribute to reducingpoverty and injustice.
2. We will develop and deliver effective advocacy work that directlyaddresses the root causes of poverty and injustice.
3. We will build partnerships with the Catholic community, includingparishes, schools, religious and lay associations, and with the widerScottish public, to work for a more just world.
To respond effectively tonew advocacyopportunities, tocontribute to moreeffective integral humandevelopment.
Evidence of influence ondebates on futureinternational developmentpolicy in Scotland, UK andglobal level, especially inthe context of the post-
2015 process.
Evidence that outcomes ofpost-2015 processesreflect objectives andprinciples of SCIAF andthe lessons of Catholicsocial teaching.
Examples ofimplementation of globalagreements or nationalpolicies which bring aboutpositive change for peopleliving in poverty.
Strategic Aim 3:
We will build partnerships with the Catholic community, including
parishes, schools, religious and lay associations, and with the widerScottish public, to work for a more just world. Strategic objective Intermediate Result
IndicatorImpact indicator
To increase generalincome to £4.1m by end2015, maintain a healthybalance betweeninstitutional andvoluntary income and
raise appropriate levelsof restricted income.
Growth in key incomeareas.
Income targets met in allareas. Institutional funding30-40% of income.
New opportunities forgroups and individualsupporters to raise funds
for specific projects.
% increase in new andactive donors.Maintenance of low
attrition rates.
To maximise theeffectiveness of ourawareness raising andeducation work byproducing excellentresources for use byparishes, schools andindividuals and byoffering opportunities
for more direct contactwith our work.
Range and reach ofresources including parishmaterials, educationresources linked toCurriculum for Excellence,prayer and campaigns.
% increase in visits to andfrom parishes, schools,church and educationalbodies.
Number and range ofsupporter engagementactivities.
Evidence of increasedunderstanding ofinternational developmentwithin our audience.
To maximise our profileas the official aid agencyof the Catholic Church inScotland, workingalongside and with thesupport of the variousagencies of the Church.
A clear plan of co-ordinated online & offlinecommunications, withclear and consistentmessages.
Evidence of increase ofour reach and positiveresponse.
Evidence of theeffectiveness of our 50th anniversary activities.
Evidence of newopportunities forsupporters to engage inour work.
In order to achieve our strategic aims, we haveIdentified four partnership values which buildorganisational capacity, competence and
performance, based upon Caritas principles.
A learning culture
Respect, equality and mutuality
Transparency, openness, honesty, accountability and trust
Stewardship and professionalism
A learning culture Impact indicator
To strengthen culture and
communication.
To be a dynamic learningorganisation, acknowledging ourneed to build our knowledge,capacity and cross-organisationalteam working based on CatholicSocial Teaching, and all of thosewith whom we work in partnership.
All staff are able to define SCIAF’s
niche and theory of change. All staff receive monthly performance anddevelopment reviews with an annualreview of year just ended, to be completedby January of the following year.
All new staff undertake Catholic SocialTeaching training within the first year ofemployment and all staff offered annualrefresher training.
A skills and training matrix establishedwhich recognises the available skills and
development needs of staff, enablingcapacity to be built and cross-departmental working to be increased.
SCIAF meets the standards of a nationallyrecognised quality accreditation by theend of 2015.
% of SCIAF’s partners that haveincreased capacity.
Respect, equality & mutuality Impact indicators
To embed the Caritas principles into
our working practices and leadershipof the organisation.
To ensure that there is a strongpartnership culture throughoutSCIAF which continues to achievehigh levels of satisfaction fromsupporters and partners.
Caritas principles and language are
evident within the competency frameworkby the end of 2014.
SCIAF’s Service Standards are updatedby the end of 2013 and then annually.
SCIAF’s Supporter Charter is reviewedannually.
Evidence of CST being mainstreamed intoSCIAF’s work.
To continue to develop anorganisational monitoring anddevelopment framework whichenables SCIAF to understand,demonstrate and improve the impactof our work.
To refine and communicate clearlyour niche and added value toincrease profile and hone ourmessaging.
SCIAF’s niche is reflected in 100% ofwritten communications by end of 2015.
Feedback from supporters and partners isreviewed on a quarterly basis withlearning points taken on board to improvesupporter experience.
Design, Monitoring and Evaluation and
Technical Officer in place by end of 2013.
Stewardship & professionalism Impact indicator
To exercise stewardship of human,financial, natural and materialresources that are entrusted to usfor the benefit of the poor and insolidarity with the whole of creation.We acknowledge that stewardship isintrinsic to our practice ofpartnership and intimately linked tobuilding competency and capacity.
To ensure SCIAF meets highstandards in all relevant areas ofcompliance, regulation andmanagement information.
To strengthening SCIAF’sgovernance including boardcomposition, advisory groupmembership and the governance/management relationship.
Organisational policies and proceduresreviewed annually and are compliant withcurrent legislation.
Fully compliant with all relevantregulations and standards.
Board composition and subcommittees inplace by end of 2013. Ongoingobservance of the agreed Terms ofReference and governance framework.
Organisational administrative costs are
reviewed on an annual basis and do notexceed 10%.
Gift Aid income maximised.
Observance of union voluntary recognitionagreement for good quality employeerelations.