Session 5: Holistic Development—Whose Responsibility?

Biblical Reflection

Read Nehemiah 2:1-9, 16-18

Skim through or ask someone to summarize Nehemiah 3 (the many names with unfamiliar pronunciations make this a difficult chapter to read aloud).

Nehemiah returned to his homeland to work to help rebuild and redevelop a devastated Jerusalem. Although he took on a great deal of responsibility, he had much help. The king of the vast Persian empire gave his blessing, helped smooth a path with other government leaders, supplied materials and workers, and gave Nehemiah time away from the king’s court so that he could provide leadership. In Jerusalem, both the returned exiles and the remnant that had been left behind worked together, each taking on building a section of the wall.

A few key ingredients helped them succeed:

• The people shared a vision of the final goal;

• They had a comprehensive plan that could be presented to the king;

• Nehemiah and the people had faith that God would work through them and help them accomplish their tasks;

• Leaders were held accountable—those who took advantage of the people were called to account to “do what is right.” (see Nehemiah 5);

• Workers were held accountable—those who accomplished their tasks were recognized and those who didn’t pull their weight were named

Today, as we consider poverty-focused development, we need the various players to do their part. Governments (wealthy and poor coordinating together), businesses, nongovernmental organizations, communities, families and individuals must all work together on different aspects of a shared comprehensive plan. As Christian people and churches, we can do our part by offering our prayers, supporting the churches’ development efforts, and holding our nation’s leaders accountable.

Reflection Questions

1. What other Bible stories can you think of that illustrate cooperative action toward a common goal?

2. What current examples can you point to (in a church, community, nation, or global community), where various groups are working together for the common good?

Hunger Report Theme Summary

Effective development requires many different participants cooperating and collaborating toward a goal. Country plans created with civil society involvement and participation, like the compacts funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (see pages 65-67), can be a strong framework to bring donors, country governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations and the rest of civil society together on a comprehensive strategy to achieve common goals. Development is not the responsibility of governments alone. It is not the responsibility of donors alone. It is not the responsibility of nongovernment organizations alone. It is not the responsibility of civil society alone nor of church relief and development agencies alone. Effective development requires all of these actors working together to achieve the same end.

Discussion Questions

1. What happens when donor governments fail to respond to the recipient country’s own priorities?

2. What happens when nongovernmental organizations or church development agencies act independently of other institutions, including the host government?

3. How would either of these be detrimental to comprehensive development efforts?

Activities:

1. Read the sidebar about collaboration in Zambia on page 128. Then have your group draw an organizational chart that includes all the entities which were working together during the Provincial Collaborative Meetings.

   • Imagine all the other people and networks that would be connected to the groups described in the sidebar.

   • Consider what sorts of topics would be much harder for the community to address once the Provincial Collaborative Meetings ended.

   • How would the organizational chart be different without the Provincial Collaborative Meetings?

2. As a group, make a list of the things your church or people you know have done to help people in other countries. Then read box 4.1on p. 105.  Now imagine you are living and working in a developing country, supporting the plan of local organizations and communities for integrated sustainable development. A group from back home writes to say they are creating a nonprofit organization to support your work. What would you want the group to consider before starting the nonprofit?

3. As you conclude, pray for efforts to support sustainable development and consider if there is something God might be calling you to do as a result of this conversation.