PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS - WORKING WITH VATICAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 VATICAN 000283 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT. PLS PASS MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE DEPT. PLS PASS SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEPT. ALSO PASS FOR USAID DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI); EUR/ERA, IO, PRM, AF/S, AF/E, AF/C, AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VT SUBJECT: PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS - WORKING WITH VATICAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES REF: 02 VATICAN 4217 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) THE HOLY SEE, CATHOLIC DIOCESES WORLDWIDE, AFFILIATED NGO'S AND CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS ORDERS ARE SIGNIFICANT, IF OFTEN OVERLOOKED, PLAYERS IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORTS. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS IN EFFECT THE WORLD'S LARGEST INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY: SOME FOUR MILLION LAY PEOPLE, SISTERS, MONKS, PRIESTS AND BISHOPS WORKING IN VARIOUS FORMS OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY MAKE A CONTRIBUTION WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, TECHNICAL, AGRICULTURAL AND VOCATIONAL FACILITIES, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPING WORLD. THIS "COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE" IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE CHURCH'S SOCIAL DOCTRINE, WHICH HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND INTENSIFIED IN THE POST-VATICAN II PERIOD WHEN THE CHURCH FIRST LINKED WORLD PEACE TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. FOR THE HOLY SEE, THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON FORMS THE CORE OF ITS DEVELOPMENT POLICY; PEOPLE MATTER, AND THEIR SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING IS AT THE HEART OF THE HOLY SEE'S APPROACH TO FOREIGN POLICY. END SUMMARY. -------------- UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 VATICA 00283 01 OF 05 241033Z KEY PLAYERS IN DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF -------------- ¶2. (U) THE HOLY SEE IS AN ACTIVE "HANDS ON" PLAYER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHOSE ROLE IS NOT LIMITED TO TEACHING AND ENCOURAGING CHARITY. IN FACT, THE HOLY SEE OPERATES A GLOBAL RELIEF AGENCY, IS PRESENT IN THE MOST REMOTE AND BADLY AFFLICTED CRISES AREAS IN THE WORLD, AND CARES FOR 25 PERCENT OF ALL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS WORLDWIDE. IN SOME COUNTRIES, CATHOLIC AGENCIES ARE AMONG THE PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE. THE HOLY SEE'S DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE OPEN TO PARTNERING WITH THE USG, AND EMBASSY BELIEVES THERE IS SCOPE FOR CLOSER COORDINATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ON HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. DESPITE SOME SKEPTICISM OF COMMERCIAL MOTIVES BEHIND CERTAIN U.S. INITIATIVES AND APPROACHES TO DEVELOPMENT, THE HOLY SEE'S VIEWS ON DEVELOPMENT HAVE MOVED CLOSER TO U.S. VIEWS IN RECENT TIMES REGARDING THE NEED FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (REFTEL). WE BELIEVE THE HOLY SEE WILL PROVE TO BE AN INCREASINGLY USEFUL ALLY IN PROMOTING THESE VIEWS WORLDWIDE. ¶3. (U) HOLY SEE CABINET-LEVEL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS (DICASTRIES),WHICH FUNCTION AS THINK TANKS AND POLICY MAKING AGENCIES, ARE INFLUENTIAL IN SHAPING A GLOBAL CONSENSUS ON DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR A RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY, MIGRATION, GLOBALIZATION, AND HEALTH. THE CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS FEDERATION, WITH MEMBERS IN 154 COUNTRIES, ENGAGES IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 VATICA 00283 01 OF 05 241033Z DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS WITH USG AGENCIES AND INTERNATIONAL NGOS. THE COMMUNITY OF SANT'EGIDIO IS A HOLY SEE-LINKED NGO CONCENTRATING ON DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE NEGOTIATION, ESPECIALLY IN AFRICA. CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS ORDERS SUCH AS THE JESUITS, FRANCISCANS AND DOMINICANS, AND NATIONAL BISHOPS CONFERENCES WORLDWIDE, ENGAGE IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, OFTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH UN AGENCIES AND INTERNATIONAL NGOS. -------------- -------------- THE STRUCTURES OF COMPASSION AND CHARITY: PONTIFICAL COUNCILS -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) MANY HOLY SEE CABINET LEVEL DEPARTMENTS (DICASTRIES) ARE CONCERNED WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ISSUES AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE. THE DICASTERIES TYPICALLY FUNCTION AS DEVELOPMENT THINK TANKS RATHER THAN DIRECT ASSISTANCE OR FUNDING AGENCIES. THEY SUPERVISE, COORDINATE AND CONDUCT RESEARCH ON A WIDE RANGE OF DEVELOPMENT ISSUES INCLUDING MIGRATION, REFUGEES, LABOR, LAND RIGHTS, HEALTHCARE, HIV/AIDS, TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, AND DESERTIFICATION. A HOST OF CHURCH AFFILIATED AGENCIES NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ0097 PAGE 01 VATICA 00283 02 OF 05 241034Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 HHS-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 VO-01 EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /008W -------------- 2AE153 241104Z /38 R 241003Z JAN 03 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE USMISSION US IN NEW YORK NY USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 VATICAN 000283 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT. PLS PASS MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE DEPT. PLS PASS SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEPT. ALSO PASS FOR USAID DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI); EUR/ERA, IO, PRM, AF/S, AF/E, AF/C, AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VT UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 VATICA 00283 02 OF 05 241034Z VT SUBJECT: PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS - WORKING WITH VATICAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES IMPLEMENT THE HOLY SEE'S DEVELOPMENT POLICIES ACROSS THE GLOBE. THESE INCLUDE RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND SEMI-OFFICIAL BODIES SUCH AS CARITAS INTERNATIONAL, THE SANT'EGIDIO COMMUNITY, AND PRIVATE AGENCIES. THE HOLY SEE HAS ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS FOR DEVELOPMENT WITH UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES AND OTHER SECULAR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO CONFRONT POVERTY, UNDER- DEVELOPMENT, REFUGEE CRISES, PANDEMICS AND FAMINE. -------------- PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE -------------- ¶5. (U) THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE (PCJP) FOSTERS DEVELOPMENT OF NEEDY REGIONS AND PROMOTES SOCIAL JUSTICE (SOCIAL EQUITY) INTERNATIONALLY. ITS BRIEF INCLUDES LABOR ISSUES, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, DEVELOPMENT POLICY, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. IT ALSO PROMOTES REFLECTION ON ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS -- INCLUDING THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION -- PRODUCING IN 1999 FOR EXAMPLE, A REFLECTION ON TRADE LIBERALIZATION IN PREPARATION FOR THE WTO "MILLENNIUM ROUND." THE COUNCIL ALSO ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES. THE PCJP, OFTEN ON BEHALF OF THE VATICAN FOREIGN MINISTRY, TREATS A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO WAR, DISARMAMENT AND THE ARMS TRADE, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, AND VIOLENCE IN ALL ITS MANIFESTATIONS -- INCLUDING TERRORISM AND XENOPHOBIC UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 VATICA 00283 02 OF 05 241034Z NATIONALISM. IT IS A FOCAL POINT FOR THE CHURCH'S HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY, DEVELOPING ITS PLACE IN CHURCH TEACHING, ANALYZING ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION IN INTERNATIONAL FORA, AND PROVIDING ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. ¶6. (U) THE PCJP ALSO EXAMINES POLITICAL SYSTEMS AND THE ROLE OF CATHOLICS IN POLITICS IN LIGHT OF THE CHURCH'S DESIRE TO WALK THE PHILOSOPHICAL TIGHTROPE BETWEEN RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND SECULAR POLITICS. SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S THE HOLY SEE HAS JUDGED SOME POLITICAL SYSTEMS AS CLOSER TO CHURCH THINKING THAN OTHERS: ATHEISTIC COMMUNISM HAS BEEN FLATLY REJECTED, RIGHT-WING MILITARY REGIMES SEVERELY CRITICIZED, AND LIBERAL CAPITALIST SYSTEMS TOLERATED BUT MONITORED CLOSELY FOR INCLUSION OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROVISIONS. A KEY ISSUE FOR THE COUNCIL IS HUMAN RIGHTS WHICH IT TREATS IN THREE DISTINCT WAYS: DEVELOPING ITS PLACE IN CHURCH TEACHING, ANALYSIS OF ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION IN INTERNATIONAL FORA, PROVIDING ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. PCJP OFFICIALS REPRESENT THE HOLY SEE AT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL OR DISARMAMENT CONFERENCES. THE PROMOTION OF FORMER HOLY SEE PERMANENT OBSERVER TO THE UN, ARCHBISHOP RENATO MARTINO, TO HEAD THE PCJP AUGERS WELL FOR A MORE ACTIVIST PCJP AND FOR EVEN CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE AND THE USG ON MANY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES. MARTINO LIVED IN THE U.S. FOR 18 YEARS AND UNDERSTANDS US VALUES AND POLICY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER NON-AMERICAN AT THE HOLY SEE. WHILE NOT ALWAYS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE US, MARTINO HAS SPOKEN OUT IN FAVOR OF BIOTECH FOODS TO AVERT STARVATION, ASSERTING THE ISSUE IS MORE POLITICAL THAN SCIENTIFIC. UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 VATICA 00283 02 OF 05 241034Z -------------- -------------- THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR MIGRANTS AND ITINERANT PEOPLES -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) PCMIP FOCUSES ON PEOPLE ON THE MOVE INCLUDING REFUGEES, ECONOMIC MIGRANTS, INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND NOMADIC PEOPLES SUCH AS ROMA AND SINTI. THE COUNCIL WORKS IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC MIGRATION COMMISSION, CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS AND THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICES, WHICH IN TURN OPERATE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN PLACES SUCH AS KOSOVO AND AFRICA'S GREAT LAKES REGION PROVIDING HEALTH CARE, ADVOCACY SERVICES AND REPATRIATION ASSISTANCE. THE PCMIP SEEKS TO ENSURE HOLY SEE POLICY AND SENSIBILITIES ARE RESPECTED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. RECENTLY PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AT THE ECUMENICAL AND INTER-RELIGIOUS LEVEL IN COUNTRIES SUCH AS CHAD, ANGOLA AND MACEDONIA TO ENSURE A GREATER OUTREACH TO REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE. PCMIP WORKS CLOSELY WITH UNHCR ON MORAL AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUES, AND IN AN ADVOCACY ROLE FOR PARTICULAR GROUPS -- ROMA/GYPSIES FOR EXAMPLE. THE HOLY SEE IS A MEMBER OF THE UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND FOSTERS PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN UNHCR AND CATHOLIC CHURCH-BASED AGENCIES. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IS A MAJOR CONCERN OF THIS NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ0106 PAGE 01 VATICA 00283 04 OF 05 241035Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 EVG-00 CA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 MEDE-00 EB-00 OIGO-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 HHS-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USSS-00 VO-01 EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /007W -------------- 2AE174 241106Z /38 R 241003Z JAN 03 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE USMISSION US IN NEW YORK NY USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 VATICAN 000283 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT. PLS PASS MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE DEPT. PLS PASS SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEPT. ALSO PASS FOR USAID DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI); EUR/ERA, IO, PRM, AF/S, AF/E, AF/C, AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VT UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 VATICA 00283 04 OF 05 241035Z VT SUBJECT: PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS - WORKING WITH VATICAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES MADE FOR THE POOREST, WEAKEST OR MOST MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. CARITAS DOES THIS THROUGH PUBLIC CAMPAIGNING AND DIRECT LOBBYING OF GOVERNMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS. THE CURRENT ADVOCACY ISSUES INCLUDE PALESTINE AND ISRAEL, IRAQI SANCTIONS AND POSSIBLE WAR, THE UN CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT, THE CRISIS IN SIERRA LEONE, INTERNATIONAL DEBT, AND TRADE FAIRNESS. ¶12. (U) HIGH-PROFILE MEMBERS OF THE CARITAS FEDERATION INCLUDE U.S. CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS) AND U.K. CAFOD. BOTH AGENCIES HAVE EXTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, CRS WORK WITH LOCAL PARTNERS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPOND TO PRESENT FOOD SHORTAGES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND AVERT A FAMINE IN THE REGION. AT PRESENT, THE AGENCY PLANS TO DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 45,000 METRIC TONS OF FOOD, SUCH AS MAIZE, FLOUR AND VEGETABLE OIL, TO NEARLY 400,000 FAMILIES IN THE REGION. CRS IS ALSO TARGETING ITS RESPONSE TO COMMUNITIES WHERE IT HAS EXISTING PROGRAMS DEALING WITH HIV/AIDS -- SUPPLYING FOOD TO THE MOST VULNERABLE: CHILD-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS, PREGNANT AND LACTATING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE. ¶13. (U) UK-BASED CAFOD IS ALSO ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN DEVELOPMENT WORK IN SOUTHERN AFRICA - PARTICULARLY IN FEEDING AND HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. THE AGENCY'S PROGRAMS IN THE REGION ARE ALREADY FEEDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN ZIMBABWE, MALAWI, UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 VATICA 00283 04 OF 05 241035Z ANGOLA, MOZAMBIQUE AND SWAZILAND. CAFOD HAS ALSO LAUNCHED A SPECIAL APPEAL FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA, RESULTING IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DONATIONS. CAFOD IS USING NOURISHMENT TO HELP AIDS SUFFERERS LIVE WITH THE CONDITION. CARE PROGRAMS CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CHURCH AGENCIES PROVIDE HIGH-PROTEIN BALANCED DIETS TO PATIENTS AS A WAY TO STAY HEALTHY. THE PROGRAMS HOWEVER, ARE THREATENED BY THE ESCALATING SOUTHERN AFRICAN FOOD CRISIS. ¶14. (U) OTHER CARITAS FEDERATION MEMBERS IN FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES IN WESTERN EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA UNDERTAKE SIMILAR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD -- PREFERABLY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL AGENCIES AND CHURCH-BASED GROUPS - - TO FOSTER ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. -------------- THE COMMUNITY OF SANT'EGIDIO -------------- ¶15. (U) THIS ROME-BASED INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION IS INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS CHARITABLE AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS AND HAS BEEN NICKNAMED "THE POPE'S UNITED NATIONS". HAVING GAINED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ITS WORK IN ENDING THE MOZAMBIQUE CONFLICT, IT ALSO CONDUCTS LOWER-PROFILE BUT VITAL DEVELOPMENT WORK, ESPECIALLY IN AFRICA. THE FIRST, A FOOD RELIEF PROGRAM IN ONE OF MALAWI'S MOST ISOLATED AND POOR AREAS PROVIDES NON-PERISHABLE HIGH PROTEIN FOOD SUCH AS RICE, BEANS, OIL, SUGAR AND VITAMIN-ENRICHED BISCUITS FOR CHILDREN. THE SECOND, AN HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM IN MOZAMBIQUE, PROVIDES TESTING, LOCAL STAFF UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 VATICA 00283 04 OF 05 241035Z TRAINING, HEALTH EDUCATION, ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY, MONITORING OF BLOOD DONATIONS, PREVENTION AND CARE OF AIDS- LINKED DISEASES, NUTRITIONAL SUSTENANCE TO AIDS SUFFERS AND HOME CARE FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL. SANT'EGIDIO HAS APPROACHED EMBASSY AND STATE DEPARTMENT/AID FOR SUPPORT. EMBASSY STRONGLY SUPPORTS SUCH REQUESTS AND WILL SOLICIT FUNDING SEPTEL. -------------- LOCAL CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS ORDERS -------------- ¶16. (U) MANY RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND LOCAL CHURCH GROUPS AROUND THE WORLD PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SUCH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH CARE AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. THE LARGER RELIGIOUS ORDERS, SUCH AS THE JESUITS ALSO HAVE SPECIALIST AGENCIES. THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE (JRS) WORKS IN OVER 40 COUNTRIES, WITH A MISSION TO ACCOMPANY, SERVE AND DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES AND FORCIBLY DISPLACED PEOPLE. JRS ALSO PROVIDES SHELTER, EDUCATION, AND MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES BY CONFLICT, HUMANITARIAN DISASTER OR VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. JRS UNDERTAKES SERVICES AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL WITH THE SUPPORT OF AN NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ0101 PAGE 01 VATICA 00283 05 OF 05 241035Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 EVG-00 CA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 HHS-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 VO-01 ECA-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /007W -------------- 2AE186 241104Z /38 R 241003Z JAN 03 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE USMISSION US IN NEW YORK NY USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 VATICAN 000283 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT. PLS PASS MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE DEPT. PLS PASS SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEPT. ALSO PASS FOR USAID DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI); EUR/ERA, IO, PRM, AF/S, AF/E, AF/C, AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO PHUM PREF PGOV EAGR EAID ECON SMIG TBIO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VTPREL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE VATICA OF VT UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 VATICA 00283 05 OF 05 241035Z VT SUBJECT: PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS - WORKING WITH VATICAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES INTERNATIONAL OFFICE IN ROME. IT PRIORITIZES ITS WORK BASED ON THE URGENCY OF THE NEEDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE UNATTENDED BY OTHER AGENCIES. ITS SERVICES -- INCLUDING EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, SOCIAL SERVICES AND COUNSELING, AND HEALTH CARE -- ARE TAILORED TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS. MOST RECENTLY JRS HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN KOSOVO, RWANDA, UGANDA, AND BURUNDI. THE JESUITS HAVE PROGRAMS FOR HIV/AIDS WORK FOCUSED ON SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF THE EXTENT OF JESUIT INVOLVEMENT IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS IN INDIA WHERE THE JESUIT INDIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTE WORKS WITH SOME 5000 VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS TO COORDINATE AND NETWORK FOR THE SOCIAL-CULTURAL RIGHTS OF THE POOR AND MARGINALIZED. SIMILAR EFFORTS ARE CARRIED OUT WORLDWIDE BY HUNDREDS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS. SIMILAR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCTED BY OTHER RELIGIOUS ORDERS INCLUDING FRANCISCANS AND DOMINICANS. ¶17. (U) NATIONAL GROUPINGS OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS ALSO ENGAGE IN DEVELOPMENT WORK, OFTEN THROUGH SPECIFICALLY CONSTITUTED AGENCIES. THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN BISHOPS CONDUCT HUNDREDS OF EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN SOUTH AFRICA, NAMIBIA, LESOTHO, SWAZILAND AND BOTSWANA, MAKING IT ONE OF THE KEY AGENCIES IN A REGION WHERE CATHOLICS ARE A MINORITY. THE US BISHOPS ARE SIMILARLY ACTIVE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. -------------- UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 VATICA 00283 05 OF 05 241035Z COMMENT -------------- ¶18. (SBU) THE HOLY SEE ITSELF APPEARS TO HAVE MADE A PHILOSOPHICAL SHIFT IN RECENT YEARS ON ITS APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT. WHILE MANY POSITION PAPERS STILL CARRY MORE THAN A HINT OF A DEVELOPMENT MESSAGE ROOTED IN THE HALCYON DAYS OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY AND THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY OF THE LATE 1960S, RECENT STATEMENTS -- AT THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, FOR EXAMPLE -- REFLECT A POSITION CLOSER TO THAT OF THE USG. RECIPIENTS OF DEVELOPMENT AID ARE ASKED TO BECOME PROTAGONISTS AND PARTNERS IN THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT. CONCEPTS SUCH AS TRANSPARENCY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND MARKET LIBERALIZATION NOW PROVIDE A COUNTERBALANCE TO BLAMING "UNJUST STRUCTURES" OR "UNBRIDLED CAPITALISM" FOR THE WORLD'S WOES. THE POPE HAS REINFORCED THESE CONCEPTS IN RECENT MESSAGES AND STATEMENTS, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THE NEW PERSPECTIVE WILL TRICKLE DOWN FROM THE DICASTERIES TO DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES TO SHAPE THEIR POLICIES AND STRATEGIES. GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VATICAN'S VOICE THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPING WORLD. EMBASSY BELIEVES USG DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES SHOULD SEEK TO BROADEN CONTACTS WITH THE HOLY SEE TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND INITIATIVES AND TO DEVELOP SYNERGIES WITH THE MANY VATICAN-RELATED DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES. END COMMENT. HARDT UNCLASSIFIED > 2003VATICA00283 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED