Thought you might like to participate in providing feedback regarding
a Refugee document done by WEF.
Please send any feedback to me. Thanks in advance for your help
Steve Goode
DRAFT IV Refugee Ministry Best Practices
IMPORTANT! THIS IS A DRAFT DOCUMENT AND IS BEING CIRCULATED FOR
REFLECTION AND COMMENT BY THOSE INVOLVED IN MINISTRY TO REFUGEES.
AFTER FURTHER REFINEMENTS ARE MADE IT WILL BE EVENTUALLY DISTRIBUTED
TO CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO ADOPT THE CODE.
Introduction
The Code of Best Practice for Refugee Ministry is designed as a benchmark
document to guide the policies and practice of organizations regarding
the ministry to refugees, internally displaced people and asylum seekers.
It does not necessarily reflect current practice, but encourages
aspirations toward excellence. It is not intended to establish legal
standards or liability. Rather the motivation for the development of this
code is based upon the responsibility toward all participants and
partners in refugee programs that they are served with the highest
standards possible.
The code does not necessarily indicate current achievement, but rather
aspirations towards high standards in refugee mission practice.
Nonetheless some minimum accomplishments are implied in the Code.
Adopting the Code should therefore be seen as a step in a process rather
than an end in itself. However, it is recognized that not all situations
permit a literal application of every element of the Code.
The Code was derived consensually by Christian ministry leaders from
around the world involved in refugee ministry. The initial draft of this
code was developed by the 175 participants from 43 countries at the World
Evangelical Fellowship Refugee Highway Consultation held in Izmir, Turkey
November 15-20, 2001.
Glossary of key terms
For the purposes of this document, the term "refugee" is being used to
define the following groupings of uprooted people.
Refugee:
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR's) founding mandate
defines refugees as persons who are outside their country and cannot
return owing to a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race,
religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social
group.
IDP:
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) flee their homes for the same reasons
as refugees, but remain within their own country and are thus subject to
the laws of that state.
Asylum seeker:
When people flee their own country and seek sanctuary in a second
state, they apply for 'asylum'-or the right to be recognized as bona
fide refugees and the legal protection and material assistance that
status implies.
Returnees:
The majority of refugees prefer to and do return home as soon as
circumstances permit, generally when a conflict has ended, a degree
of stability has been restored and basic infrastructure is being
rebuilt.
Refugee Highway:
When people make the desperate decision to flee from their homeland,
they need to plan their route to a new life. There are some well worn
paths around the world that refugees travel upon; air, water and land
routes leading to safety and the simple hope for a normal life. This
is the Refugee Highway.
Principle:
A broad statement of purpose.
Key Indicator:
An observable and measurable outcome related to a principle.
Core Values
The Code has underlying core values, which include the following:
1. Commitment to understanding and applying biblical principles and
mandate for refugee work.
2. Commitment to collaboration and partnership with churches and other
Christian organizations demonstrating the biblical ideal of the Body of
Christ working together.
3. Commitment to the dignity and worth of all individuals created in the
image of God.
4. Commitment to reliance on God as the ultimate source for wisdom,
power, and love in all aspects of refugee work.
5. Commitment to the total well-being of refugee workershelping them
minister effectively, while recognizing the possible hazards, stresses,
and sacrifice inherent in refugee ministry.
6. Commitment to the appropriate and effective use of all available
resources.
7. Commitment to ongoing biblical reflection on the ethics of
ministry to refugees.
8. Commitment to assist refugees to break the cycle of dependency and
become more self-reliant as a path to dignity and wholeness.
9. Commitment to engaging in holistic ministry, responding to the
physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of people, while
demonstrating a Christ-like life.
10. Commitment to integrity in all that we do and communicate.
Section 1: Ministry Policy and Practice
Principle 1
Ministries may forego responding to immediate needs to develop more
effective long-term impact.
Key indicators
Ministries have clear long-term objectives.
Ministries have sustainable support structures in place.
Principle 2
Refugee ministries engage in effective and truthful communication.
Key indicators
Refugee ministries are acting with integrity in reporting the outcomes
of particular initiatives.
Individual refugee ministries are viewed with growing respect by others
in and outside the Christian community.
Principle 3
Refugees receive affirmation of their dignity, value and the contribution
they make.
Key indicators
Refugees feel respected and understood.
Refugees are being reconciled with both God and humanity.
The vulnerability of a refugee is not exploited for religious purposes
or other objectives.
Refugees are ministering to others.
Refugees are given access to ongoing training and education.
Principle 4
Effective refugee ministry has relationship with God and people at its
core.
Key indicators
Reconciliation is being promoted among all peoples.
Effective refugee ministry deals with the tensions that develop with
governments.
Refugee ministry is motivated by love for God and for people.
Prayer is an integral part of effective refugee ministry.
Principle 5
Effective refugee ministries are learning entities.
Key indicators
Refugee workers are informed of government policy, current research
and theory related to refugees.
Training that is appropriate and culturally sensitive is provided
for refugees and refugee workers.
Ministries have systems for ongoing reflection and evaluation of
effectiveness.
Section 2: The Role of Advocacy
Principle 6
Advocacy is most effective when done in collaboration with other advocacy
groups.
Key indicators
Those working with refugee ministries will understand the appropriate
role of
international advocacy networks and know how to access them.
Christian lawyers and their associations are integrated into advocacy
work.
Christians are being encouraged to engage in all kinds of governmental
and non-governmental services to refugees.
Principle 7
Advocacy in the public square and within the local church on behalf of
refugees will be grace-filled, honest and done with integrity.
Key indicators
Accurate and thorough information is used in advocacy work.
Communication is done in non-sensationalistic ways.
Effective advocacy work does not communicate in a way that produces
paralysis but rather provides practical and appropriate ways to respond.
When advocating on behalf of a particular group, hostility is not
created toward another.
Principle 8
The motivation for advocacy is for the benefit of those represented.
Key indicators
Advocacy deals effectively with the expressed fears and lack of
awareness of
Christians.
Advocacy identifies and communicates the value of refugee ministries.
Advocacy recognizes the tension between protecting refugees from
exploitation and avoiding complicity in people trafficking.
Marginalized groups among the refugee population are receiving special
attention.
Section 3: The Role of the Church
Principle 9
The local church plays a vital role in ministry to refugees.
Key indicators
Effective envisioning, equipping and enabling ministries are
facilitated in local churches.
Churches are engaging in resettlement.
Churches are seeking to understand and teach the Biblical principles
for
ministry to refugees.
Church leaders are motivating their community to specific prayer for
the refugee highway.
Principle 10
Local churches will draw upon resources beyond themselves for effective
refugee ministry.
Key indicators
Churches are cooperating with one another to serve the refugee
community.
Churches are cooperating with other ministry entities.
Churches are aware of the many different ministries and resources
available
along the highway.
Section 4: The Role of the Refugee
Principle 11
Commitment to involving refugees as partners in ministry.
Key indicators
The value and the contributions that refugees make to the life and
community of the local church and other ministries are being recognized.
Refugees are helping to define, lead and participate in refugee
ministries.
Section 5: The Role of the Agency
Principle 12
Agencies are involved in seeing resources beyond themselves and are
cooperating with other groups.
Key indicators
Agencies are building bridges between refugees, local churches and
governments.
An important role is being played by agencies in advocacy on behalf
of refugees who are denied status and benefit.
Principle 13
Agencies understand their unique and often specialized contribution
to refugee ministry.
Key indicators
International agencies are helping to connect and build relationships
among
churches and ministries all along the highway.
Section 6: Ministry Context
Principle 14
Effective refugee ministries always work with the church whenever
possible.
Key indicators
A local or national central Christian coordinating body is a necessary
mechanism in delivering services to refugees.
Principle 15
Ministries are flexible, innovative and creative in responding to
changing conditions along the refugee highway.
Key indicators
Evaluation programs are in place for assessing ongoing effectiveness.
Rapid response networks in place.
Ministries are using forecasting as a tool for anticipating potential
changes along the highway.
Principle 16
The local context will be understood in order to inform and influence all
ministry activity.
Key indicators
Ministries have developed systems to prepare for an influx of refugees,
where anticipated.
Ministries act responsibly in light of danger to Christians in hostile
environments.
Section 7: Partnership
Principle 17
Partnership among all those involved in refugee ministry is needed.
Key indicators
National and global efforts directed to a specific refugee group are
being coordinated.
Where conflict exists reconciliation precedes collaborative ministry.
In the early stages of partnership short-term limited, achievable goals
are
established.
Agreed upon goals are monitored and future goals are continuously being
identified.
Principle 18
For a partnership to function effectively, we recognize each partner
brings perspective and gifts to the process.
Key indicators
Collaboration involves all stakeholders including refugees, churches,
local and international agencies, business communities and government.
Effective partnerships utilize trained facilitators and/or facilitating
teams.
Effective refugee ministries are creating links between churches and
other
ministries along the refugee highway.
Principle 19
Partnerships share work, risk, responsibility, decision-making and
benefits.
Key indicators
Credit is given where credit is due.
Evaluation and assessment tools have been developed and implemented.
Ministries engaging in partnership have submitted to mutual
accountability
among partners.
