wfn.org | CWS DISASTER MINISTRY FORUM

["Ann Walle" <awalle@churchworldservice.org>]

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE ANNOUNCES FORUM on 
DOMESTIC DISASTER MINISTRY 

NEW YORK - FEB 13 - The global humanitarian and relief agency Church World
Service (CWS) today announced its plan to hold the first Forum on Domestic
Disaster Ministry, March 27-31, at the Princeton Theological Seminary,
Princeton, New Jersey. 

The forum, themed "Do No Harm" after a text, will address the sector of the
faith-based community that works in domestic disaster response and recovery,
whether the disaster is human-caused or natural.   CWS seeks to stimulate
discussion among experienced disaster ministry professionals - both volunteer
and paid - who plan and implement faith community involvement in disaster
management. 

Bob Arnold, CWS Emergency Response Associate Director for Capacity Building,
says the Forum addresses a gap in disaster ministry education.	 "Up to this
point," he points out, "there has been no disciplined venue to look at
disaster management research and cutting-edge field activities towards
informing the way disaster ministry is carried out.  Through the Forum, we
will identify resources that are needed to enhance disaster ministry." 

The keynote presentation, "Mitigation and Sustainable Communities," will be
made by James Lee Witt, former director of FEMA (Federal Emergency Agency).  

Day One of the Forum will address disaster response research in the
presentations "Overview of Key Disaster Research and Its Significance in
Disaster Ministry," by Dennis Mileti, former director of the Natural Hazards
Center at the University of Colorado, and "Participatory Action Research:
Making a Practical Difference For Disaster-Vulnerable Populations.."

Day Two will focus on a Mitigation and Preparedness Track in "Public Policy
in Disaster Ministry;"	"Preparing Neighborhoods for Emergencies and
Disaster;" and a selection of workshops: 
7Social Enterprise and Local Sustainable Development as Disaster Ministry
7Preparing to Respond to Disaster Needs of Vulnerable Populations
7Preventing Technological Disasters Through Public Policy

Day Three will address a Response and Recovery Track: Community Organizing
and Spiritual Care, with "Going Beyond a Ministry of Presence To Bring Order
Out of Chaos," and a presentation on the CWS STAR program by Eastern
Mennonite University leaders. 

Day Four will identify key faith ministry capacity issues.

A work group including disaster ministry staff and volunteers from Church of
the Brethren, Lutheran Disaster Response, Presbyterian Church (USA), United
Church of Christ (UCC), and the United Methodist Church created the event. 
Florence Coppola, who directs the domestic disaster response program for the
UCC, chairs the work group.

For further information on the Forum please contact Bob Arnold, CWS,
barnold@churchworldservice.org

Media Contact:
Ann Walle 
Church World Service 
212 870 2654
awalle@churchworldservice.org 

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