GENERAL André Cox will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 USA Salvation Army Social Services and Disaster Management Conference, which will include delegates from around the world. For the first time the conference – to be held in Orlando, Florida, from 25-28 March 2014 – will have a 'Global Track' for international participants. Salvation Army social work leaders and practitioners will gather together under the theme: 'The power of One Army ... Transforming Our World'.
Every Salvation Army territory and command has been invited to send delegates to the conference. More than 200 Global Track delegates are expected to participate in the 12 sessions. All the papers will be available online in real time, and anyone with access to the internet can participate in the online discussion forum. The site is now live and will feature live coverage and actively encourage people to participate. Excitingly, the plenary session on Friday will include contributions made through the online discussions.
The Global Track will focus on The Salvation Army's International Vision – One Army, One Mission, One Message – and will consider the following:
One Army – How and when has The Salvation Army best worked as One Army? What lessons can be learnt to promote integrated expressions of Army mission?
One Mission – How do we know when we are achieving One Mission? What is the evidence? How can we measure it?
One Message – How can we be faithful to One Message when the social work field is influenced by many other powerful messages?
Through discussion and the sharing of expertise and experience, it is hoped that the following outcomes will be achieved:
Delegates will address the 'big questions' faced by The Salvation Army as it serves suffering humanity, formulating ideas that can shape policy and practice around the world for years to come.
A set of papers – perhaps a book – will be produced, setting out where The Salvation Army is working best as One Army to serve suffering humanity.
The Internet will be used to enable ongoing dialogue and to share experiences and resources after the conference.
The General will attend a number of sessions and listen to discussions before speaking in the final plenary Global Track session.
Commissioner Gerrit Marseille (International Secretary for Programme Resources, International Headquarters) comments: 'The 2014 conference is a one-off opportunity to gather leaders and practitioners from various disciplines and all parts of The Salvation Army world to engage with some of the most pressing issues as we all seek to serve suffering humanity as One Army. We hope many people who cannot be in Orlando will also contribute online to share ideas and experiences which will strengthen our work around the world.'
- Further information about Global Track is available in the May-July 2013 issue of 'Progress', published by the Programme Resources Department at IHQ.
