GLOBAL EDUCATIONASSOCIATES - RELIGIOUS ORDERS PARTNERSHIP

A Critical Need and the Potential ofReligious Orders

Increasing globalization and interdependence necessitates the development of more humane and effective global systems to resolve common problems and assure peace, human rights, economic and ecological well-being and democratic participation for all the world's peoples. Religious orders represent a unique and providential global fiber for the development of more humane and ecologically responsive global systems. Institutionally their networks encircle the earth. They reach many people through their schools and universities, health-care, social and community service, and pastoral ministries. Their members are committed to spirituality, ethics and systems which serve greater human dignity, peace, justice, and the integrity of creation.

No one religious order, in and of itself, has all the resources and strengths to effect global systemic change. But, in partnership with each other and GEA, religious orders can pool and maximize their strengths and create multiplier effects for more humane global systems.

 

A Response: The GEA-Religious Orders Partnership

The GEA-Religious Orders Partnership program has its roots in the vision and mission of GEA. It has been on-going and evolving for more than 20 years. Currently this partnership engages more than 165 Catholic religious orders in the creation of a world order based on the values of peace and security, economic well-being, ecological responsibility and democratic participation and human rights. GEA provides a forum in which religious orders networks discern how their charism and ministries can better serve the global community. The Partnership enables members of religious orders to understand and respond creatively to the crisis and opportunities of our interdependent world and to be more effective in efforts for global systemic change.

Achievements and Activities

From its beginning in 1973, the mission of GEA has resonated with that of religious congregations. GEA conducted hundreds of programs for religious communities in many countries of the world as religious life has been re-shaped in the post Vatican II era, and charisms, constitutions, missions and ministries revised in the context of global interdependence and the need for global systems of greater justice, peace and ecological balance.

Religious congregations have formed partnerships with GEA in its mission and programs, including currently Education For All, the Earth Covenant/Earth Charter Process, Education for Global Citizenship, Religion and World Order, and more. As part of their commitment to the Earth Covenant/Earth Charter program, religious orders partners produced an Edu-kit, and have conducted over 40 consultations to gather input for an Earth Charter. Members of religious orders have participated in regional global citizenship programs and have initiated ecologically responsive activities. The GEA-ROP is a strategic partnership through which many GEA programs and activities are generated. In 1997-98, the GEA-ROP, as a co-sponsor with Genesis Farm, formalized the "New Foundations" Program, a year long leadership training experience in Earth Literacy and Global Systemic Change.

The GEA-ROP welcomed over 120 participants to the annual meeting when individuals and congregations re-affirmed the goals of the 1999-2002 Platform for Action. Action steps include: