Caritas Jerusalem organized its first partner four-day meeting on 4-7 November 2019 in Jerusalem with the wider Caritas family and other donors. The event was attended by representatives of 11 Caritas Member Organisations from around the world, and two other partners that work closely with Caritas Jerusalem.
The aim of the meeting was to update the partners on the current work of Caritas Jerusalem with field visits to our projects in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, to highlight the challenges faced in working in this complex environment, and to explain our current and future financial needs to enable us to work as one family for the people who need love and care in Palestine. A major component of the meeting was to present Caritas Jerusalem’s draft Strategic Plan (2020-2024) that is part of our ongoing Organisational Restructuring and Development Process, and recommendations on the Plan from the Partners.
The first day began with a short prayer and Sister Bridget Tighe, the general director of Caritas Jerusalem, welcomed everyone. The current work of Caritas Jerusalem, the challenges and complexities of working in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza strip was highlighted, and the heads of the departments presented their detailed 2020 strategic plan.
The partners were updated on the Organizational Restructuring and Development Plan and the consultant shared the 2020-2024 draft strategic plan with the partners.
The second and third days were dedicated to field trips around Palestine and the partners witnessed the work on the ground, met beneficiaries, stakeholders, representatives from the ministries and others.
Everywhere we visited, we were welcomed with generosity and gratitude which is a true indicator of the appreciation and respect people have towards Caritas and to our work which is a lifeline to the people that we serve.
On the final day we met again at Notre Dame Center to exchange experiences, discuss the projects and ways to cooperate more with one another. The meeting was concluded with a Holy Mass at the Latin Convent in Jerusalem celebrated by Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners, those who joined us in this fruitful meeting and those who couldn’t make it, for their accompaniment and support towards the people that we serve in The Holy Land.
