Partnership with Catholic Relief Services

In Spring 2005, Cabrini College, together with Villanova University, Seattle University, and Santa Clara University, entered into formal partnerships with Catholic Relief Services (CRS).  Each agreed to collaborate in education, research, advocacy, and service for the purpose of building solidarity with the poor and marginalized overseas.

CRS is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community.  It serves the poor in over 100 countries overseas through an extensive network of partner agencies.  CRS provides emergency relief and engages in programming in the areas of HIV and AIDS, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.  It provides assistance based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.

This course will participate in the CRS partnership activities.

The GSN is a unique pilot project between Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Cabrni, Villanova, Seattle, Notre Dame, and Santa Clara. It makes use of modern information and communications technology tools to make social justice education more real and available to students and faculty in the U.S. The GSN has three components: 1) essays are posted by CRS experts; 2) on-line discussions are carried on among the universities during the two-week period, and 3) students and faculty participate in a live video conference with the CRS experts.

This semester, we will participate in two international experiences: Peacebuilding in Africa and Migration.

During both these two-week modules, you will be required to:
• a) visit the GSN website regularly,
• b) read and post a 15-sentence response (minimum) to essays by CRS staff and others,
• c ) contribute to the on-line discussion by posting at least two 5-7 responses to two other students, and
• d) complete a written report.

The report must include: a) hard copies of your responses to the CRS experts and the two other students, b) a brief description of how this project expanded your knowledge of the issue, and c) an evaluation of how to improve the project.
One of the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church is that the right to food is a fundamental human right.  Since its founding in 1943, CRS has been working to insure that the world's hungry have food.  The Agency has been one of the largest distributors of U.S. food aid worldwide since the U.S. Food For Peace program (PL 480) began in 1954.  Because the right to food, food security, and food aid are so central to its mission and work, CRS is actively engaged in the effort to shape legislation that is just, humane, and effective. 

This course will engage in legislative advocacy on the right to food. The course will offer students the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of food security, the U.S. food aid program, and some of the contested issues that surround it.   Students will also try their hand at lobbying on Capitol Hill.  Throughout the semester, students will receive regular briefings from CRS staff via conference calls, targeted readings, and trainings to prepare them for their Capitol Hill Lobby experience scheduled for Friday, April 11.