1

PAPER: THE FAMILY IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE SOCIAL FABRIC AND

THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLANNING AND STABILISATION PROCESSES IN LATIN
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

By: Jos Oscar Henao Monje Development Officer National Social Ministry Secretariat (SNPS)
/ Caritas Colombia

"Poverty in the world is a scandal. In a world where there is so much wealth, so
many resources to feed everyone, it is unfathomable that there are so many
hungry children, that there are so many children without an education, so many
poor persons. Poverty today is a cry." Pope Francis I
1


In this document I would like to develop four points: 1) identify the elements that currently affect
families in the implementation of the current development model; 2) present elements regarding
how the family plays a leading role in the construction of a new development model; 3) identify
values, practices and difficulties that contribute to or affect this process; and finally; 4) share
pastoral workers' challenges in supporting the family.

It is common knowledge that the family has suffered more than other institutions from the dramatic
changes affecting society and culture. We say that the family is being destroyed, is coming to
and end and is in crisis, but this is none other than the outcome of the absence of God in human
hearts, which is reflected in the first community that is the family
2
.

Starting from the previous reflection, I am thinking about the current context of Latin America and
the Caribbean, which is dealing with various situations due to the implementation of a consumption
model, a crisis model and a neoliberal model. I will primarily investigate the impact of employment
on families.

On a daily basis, local, national and international media influence public opinion via not very
optimistic news murder, kidnapping, extortion, displacement (in some countries), political and
economic crisis, unemployment, among others which are the basis of the information that reaches
our families every day. Yet we are still considered as emerging economies. Emerging economies?
This type of economy can be primarily driven by optimism, dynamism, stabilisation, consumption,
savings and mainly by accumulation.

Every year technical concepts are issued regarding advances and macroeconomic and growth trends
connected with the various economic, social, cultural and environmental activities we carry out in
each of our countries (which largely relate to the consumption of goods and services). Economic
entities considered as benchmarks (IMF, ECLAC, United States Federal Reserve, Inter-American
Development Bank, among others) are optimistic about them. Perhaps the optimism is connected
with the generation of credit (external debt), or maybe we contribute to economic growth through
the export of commodities, which thanks to the "perfect competition" of foreign investment, are
imported via consumption of goods and services in our emerging countries, thus establishing the
global economic crisis via aggregate supply and private investment.


1
Caritas Internationalis Development. (S.f.). Retrieved from: http://www.caritas.org/what-we-
do/development/
2
Missionary portal. Obras misionales pontificias. Juventud Misionera en Costa Rica. (S.f.). PDF document:
Familia Cristina, Familia Misionera. (p.1). Retrieved from:
http://www.portalmisionero.com/familiacristiana.pdf

2

In developing the first point I will provide statistical elements that enable observation of the state of
growth and development in Latin America and the Caribbean via the current model, including
analysis of official information from quantitative and monitoring information systems (ECLAC,
IMF, Inter-American Development Bank, etc.). This information will enable identification of the
commonly mentioned growth factors regarding our countries, and sharing of elements in order to
know how this "development" affects urban and rural families.

Economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean while falling by 2.4% in 2012 and 2.1% in
2013, is showing some signs of recovery, which coincides with a high degree of financial
volatility
3
. Some macroeconomic experts define this as positive, which is reflected in per capita
GDP of US$9,314 at 2013 prices. While some countries have registered growth rates above those of
the region (Colombia: 4%), its distribution per capita was lower than the region
4
US$7,560 per
capita GDP at current prices (not including inflation).

In accordance with the above, it is impossible to state that a country's growth or its contribution by
country to Gross Domestic Product is equally distributed among the total population (GDP per
capita), as this requires correlation of other variables such as distribution of wealth (Gini), which
reveals exactly the opposite.

Later on I will present the situation by country grouped into two geographical areas Central
America and the Caribbean, and South America.



1- Map of GNI (GDP) per capita in Central America and the Caribbean. Taken from the World Bank
Central American
countries
US$ per capita
2013
Central American
countries
US$ per capita 2013
Mexico $ 9,940 Haiti $ 810
Guatemala $ 3,340 Dominican Republic $ 5,620
Belize $ 4,660 Puerto Rico $ 18,080
El Salvador $ 3,720 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 13,460

3
United Nations, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECLAC. (29 November
2013). Documento Informativo, Balance Preliminar de las Economas de Amrica Latina y el Caribe 2013. (p.
9). Retrieved from: http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/2/51822/balancepreliminar2013docinf.pdf.
4
National Business Association of Colombia - ANDI (December 2013). Informe Balance 2013 y Perspectivas
2014. (p. 1). Retrieved from: http://www.andi.com.co/Archivos/file/ANDI%20-
%20Balance%202013%20y%20perspectivas%202014.pdf

3

Honduras $ 2,180
Antigua and
Barbuda
$ 12,910
Nicaragua $ 1,780 Dominica $ 6,760
Costa Rica $ 9,550 Saint Lucia $ 7,090
Panama $ 10,700
Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines
$ 6,580
Cuba $ 5,890 Barbados $ 15,080
Bahamas $ 20,600 Granada $ 7,460
Jamaica $ 5,220
Trinidad and
Tobago
$ 15,760


2 - GNI (GDP) US$ per capita. Data: World Bank graph

Following the logic of quantitative analysis we can see that some countries in the Central America
and Caribbean region have exceeded the regional GDP per capita trend. The countries that have
promoted brief economic stability are Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico,
Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. Some of these
countries are considered to be tax havens
5
. Therefore, they generate exponential revenues for the
private sector, primarily the financial sector. Compared with South America, we can note that
countries such as Venezuela, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile, have exceeded average GDP per capita in
the region.


5
INSPIRATIONS, Por un mundo libre de pobreza. (n.d.) Listado de Parasos Fiscales en el Mundo.
Definicin de paraso fiscal. Taken from: https://www.inspiraction.org/justicia-economica/listado-paraisos-
fiscales.
$0
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GNI (GDP) in US$ per capita in 2013 in Central
America and the Caribbean

4

Finally we can confirm the following situation regarding the contribution to the region's economy.
Brazil and Mexico contribute 63%
6
of GDP, which does not create a very optimistic picture as these
countries only promote their domestic economies and not the regional economy.


3 - Map of GNI (GDP) per capita in South America and the Caribbean. Taken from the World Bank
South American
countries
US$ per capita
2013
South American
countries
US$ per capita
2013
Colombia $ 7,560 Brazil $ 11,690
Venezuela $ 12,550 Paraguay $ 4,040
Guyana $ 3,750 Bolivia $ 2,550
Suriname $ 9,260 Uruguay $ 15,180
Ecuador $ 5,510 Chile $ 15,230
Peru $ 6,390 Argentina N.A.



The above situation enables identification of growth trends in the countries of Latin America and
the Caribbean. Therefore, I have classified them by Caritas zone in Latin America and the

6
United Nations, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECLAC. (29 November
2013). (Documento Informativo, Balance Preliminar de las Economas de Amrica Latina y el Caribe 2013.
(p. 9). Retrieved from: http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/2/51822/balancepreliminar2013docinf.pdf
$0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 $16,000
Colombia
Guyana
Ecuador
Brasil
Bolivia
Chile
GNI (GDP) in US$ per capita in 2013 in South
America

5

Caribbean (Bolivarian Zone, Camex Zone, Caribbean Zone and Cono Sur Zone) in the last five
years (2009 2013).

A. BOLIVARIAN ZONE
7

Bolivarian Zone 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Bolivia
3.4 4.1 5.2 5.2 6.8
Colombia
1.7 4 6.6 4 4.3
Ecuador
0.6 3 7.8 5.1 4
Peru
1 8.5 6.5 6 5.8
Venezuela
-3.2 -1.5 4.2 5.6 1.3




I would like to dwell a little on this zone, focusing on the macroeconomic instability in Venezuela.
For many economic experts implementation of the current model led to difficulties in boosting the
economy, with consumption affected by scarcity of goods and services, primarily determined by
problems in accessing them. The situation was compounded by political instability, with various
political, student and entrepreneurial groups undertaking collective actions since 2013, which has
had a significant impact on national and international public opinion. However, despite this
situation, we can find various contradictions in the same model, with the World Bank classifying
Venezuela as having the fourth strongest GDP in Latin America
8
.






7
Ibid.
8
Portafolio. (11 September 2014). Articulo Internacional. Venezuela, cuarto PIB ms fuerte de Amrica
Latina. Retrieved from: http://www.portafolio.co/internacional/pib-venezuela-septiembre-2014-
bm?hootPostID=4a34535987962d0048e57137c62ea5ff
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
GDP growth in Bolivarian Zone countries (2009-2013)
Bolivia
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Venezuela

6

B. CAMEX ZONE
9

Camex Zone 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Costa Rica
-1 5 4.5 5.1 3.5
El Salvador
-3.1 1.4 2.2 1.9 1.7
Guatemala
0.5 2.9 4.2 3 3.7
Honduras
-2.4 3.7 3.8 3.9 2.6
Mexico
-4.7 5.1 4 4 1.1
Nicaragua
-2.8 3.3 7.3 3.4 4.6
Panama
4 5.9 10.8 10.2 8.4



C. CARRIBEAN ZONE
10

Caribbean Zone 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Cuba
1.4 2.4 2.7

Haiti
3.1 -5.5 5.5 2.9 4.3
Puerto Rico
-2 -0.4 -0.3 0.5

Dominican Republic
3.5 7.8 4.5 3.9 4.1
Saint Kitts and Nevis
-5.6 -3.3 1.8 -1.2 2
Antigua and Barbuda
-12 -7.2 -2 3.3 0.6
Dominica
-1.2 1.2 0.3 -1.2 -0.8
Saint Lucia
-0.1 -0.7 1.4 -1.3 -0.5
Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines
-2.1 -3.3 -0.4 1.6 2.8
Barbados
-4.1 0.3 0.8 0


9
United Nations, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECLAC (29 November
2013). (Documento Informativo, Balance Preliminar de las Economas de Amrica Latina y el Caribe 2013.
(p. 9). Retrieved from: http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/2/51822/balancepreliminar2013docinf.pdf.
10
Ibid.
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1 2 3 4 5
GDP growth in Camex Zone countries (2009-2013)
Costa Rica
Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mxico
Nicaragua
Panam

7

Granada
-6.6 -0.5 0.7 -1.8 1.8
Trinidad and Tobago
-4.4 0.2 -1.6 1.5 1.6
Jamaica
-4.4 -1.5 1.7 0.7 1.3
Guyana
3.3 4.4 5.4 4.8 5.3
Suriname
3 4.2 5.3 3.9 4.4




D. Cono Sur Zone
11

Cono Sur Zone 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Brazil
-0.3 7.5 2.7 1 2.5
Paraguay
-4 13.1 4.3 -1.2 13.6
Uruguay
2.4 8.4 7.3 3.7 4.4
Chile
-1 5.8 5.8 5.4 4.1
Argentina
0.1 9.1 8.6 0.9 3


11
Ibid.
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
GDP growth in Caribbean Zone countries (2009-2013)
Cuba
Hait
Puerto Rico
Repblica Dominicana
Saint Kitts y Nevis
Antigua y Barbuda
Dominica
Santa Lucia
San Vicente y las Granadinas
Barbados

8





As we can see from the quantitative elements presented above, the institutional positions of the
current development model in Latin America and the Caribbean marked by macroeconomic
optimism are substantially confirmed. Despite the trend in our countries towards prosperity in terms
of Gross National Product per capita and largely positive economic growth, a high level of
stagnation may be noted in some countries, determined by deceleration of the economic sectors that
drive our countries. In 2013 GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean grew 2.6%, less than the
3.1% registered in 2012
12
.

For the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) regional growth was
primarily driven by the continued dynamism of domestic demand and especially consumption,
which contributed 2.8 percentage points to GDP growth, while investment accounted for 0.9
percentage points
13
. This clearly shows the contribution of Latin American consumption (domestic
demand) to the recovery from the global financial crisis, which has generated an increase in private
household credit to access goods and services imported into our countries (vehicles, technology,
processed food, etc.).

Therefore, it is necessary to identify the activities that have marked out growth in Latin America
and the Caribbean. Via its statistical information system, ECLAC enables us to identify the
following activities:

- mining and quarrying
- construction
- agriculture, stockbreeding, hunting, forestry and fishing
- trade
- financial and business services.

As an introduction to the impacts the family has had on implementation of the current economic
model in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is necessary to answer a question posed by Irma

12
United Nations, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECLAC (29 November
2013). Documento Informativo, Balance Preliminar de las Economas de Amrica Latina y el Caribe 2013. (p.
17). Retrieved from: http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/2/51822/balancepreliminar2013docinf.pdf.
13
Ibid. (p. 10).
-5
0
5
10
15
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
GDP growth in Cono Sur Zone countries (2009-2013)
Brasil
Paraguay
Uruguay
Chile
Argentina

9

Arriaga and provide significant contributions. How is this economic context reflected in the changes
that have occurred in the family?

"From an economic point of view, the incorporation of Latin America within the global economy
has modified forms of work and employment, which has impacted the organisation and distribution
of responsibilities and rights within families" (Arrigada, 2007).

Structurally the family in Latin America and the Caribbean has undergone the following changes
according to Irma Arriaga: diversification of family forms
14
; transformation of the male
breadwinner family model
15
; an increase in the number of families headed by women;
16
and a
reduction in the average size of families and households
17
.

Given an economic context with a model whose primary interest does not tend towards integral
human development and solidarity, we may note the following population trends registered in the
last four years:

POPULATION (thousands
of people)
18

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Latin America and the
Caribbean
596,191 602,974 609,807 616,645 623,422



14
Concept The diversification of family forms: The most important model of the nuclear family, two
parents with children, has decreased over the last 15 years. Currently, there is a wide range of family
arrangements: people opt to live alone, in couples without children, in single-parent households, in consensual
unions and in same-sex unions. There is a growing number of blended families (couples who form a union
and bring children from previous unions and other parents), as well as long-distance families arising from
migration by some of their members, although exact numbers are impossible to determine from household
survey data. However, case studies reveal important changes in the perception of who the members of these
families are, greater individuation of their members and acceptance of different affective logics within the
same family. Caldas University. Family Seminar. (p. 2). Ponencia Irma Arriaga. Retrieved from:
http://ucaldas.edu.co/docs/seminario_familia/PONENCIA_IRMA_ARRIAGADA.pdf.
15
Concept Families with a male breadwinner: The increase in levels of education and growing
incorporation of women in the labour market, have led to a transitar the "male breadwinner" and double-
income families" model. Ibid. (p. 3).
16
Concept Families headed by women: From a demographic perspective this is related to increases in the
single state, separations and divorces. From a socio-economic and cultural standpoint this arises from the
increase in education and women's growing economic participation, which enables their financial
independence and social autonomy to establish or continue living in households without couples. Ibid. (p. 4).
17
Concept Reduction in the size of households: This is associated with interrelated phenomena, such as the
declining fertility rate, socio-economic level and the increase in female participation in the labour market.
Ibid. (p. 4).
18
United Nations, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECLAC. ECLAC statistics.
Retrieved from:
http://estadisticas.cepal.org/cepalstat/WEB_CEPALSTAT/estadisticasIndicadores.asp?idioma=e

10



This trend toward exponential population growth enables us to determine that approximately 600
million people have contributed to stabilisation through consumption (domestic demand), and
therefore identify how foreign investment relating to imports has generated economic instability in
our region, thus reducing microeconomic initiatives aimed at participating in a more stable market.

Consequently, I have confirmed a fundamental aspect in the implementation of the current model:

1. consumption is a vital factor in domestic demand
2. consumption is carried out by families
3. families need income to consume
4. and income is determined by employment.

From this information we may note the percentage (%) of the population who are of working age
and the rates of employed and unemployed people, which complicates interpretation of the
economic and social growth shown by Latin America and the Caribbean in the implementation of
the current model.

% EMPLOYMENT IN
LATIN AMERICA AND
THE CARIBBEAN
19

2000 2010 2013
% population of
working age
63.4% 65.7% 65.95%
employed 53.0% 58.4% 59.7%
unemployed
10.4% 7.3% 6.3%


19
Ibid.
574 000
584 000
594 000
604 000
614 000
624 000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
596 191
602 974
609 807
616 645
623 422
Population in Latin America and the Caribbean
(millions of people) between 2010 and 2014.

11




So a question arising from this analysis is that, despite the almost one percentage point increase in
economic growth, employment and unemployment rates have not risen as expected, which is due to
the condition and quality of the employment obtained. Likewise, it may be noted that economic
growth is not related to real factors in the economy such as individual and family employment.

The determined proportion of employment corresponds to econometric measurements stipulated
and constructed by the current development model, by identifying the proportion of the population
classified as employed.

The economic activities of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean include:

Latin
America
(simple
average)
20

Agricu
lture
Manuf
acturi
ng
Trade Constr
uction
Trans
port
Financ
ial
service
s
Electrici
ty, gas
and
water
Minin
g
2008 20.1 13.4 23.0 7.1 6.0 5.4 0.6 0.5
2010 20.1 12.6 23.3 7.0 6.1 5.7 0.6 0.5
2012 19.4 9.3 24.3 6.9 5.5 5.1 1.4 2.4


20
Ibid.
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
% OF EMPLOYMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
AND THE CARIBBEAN (2000, 2010, 2013)
% poblacin en edad de trabajar TO TD

12



Likewise, it is important to know how the employment and unemployment indicator actually
responds to the current development model. The existing categories regarding measurement of this
indicator respond to various parameters, variables and assumptions, in which the dignity of labour is
far from being accepted and measured in the population.

An example of the dehumanisation of employment is casual (short-term) work. During the term of
the last national government in Colombia (2010-2014) one of its political employment banners was
connected with construction activity in which the national government's free housing programme
generated around 200,000 new jobs
21
that gave families income and temporary stability. Many of
the people employed under this programme (aggregate demand) are currently unemployed.

This type of employment classified as temporary jobs encourages labour market speculation in our
countries and our region.

With the information provided we can draw certain conclusions on the impact of the current model
on families in Latin America and the Caribbean. The dehumanisation of the family affects the
dignity of the family. Labour conditions generate increased accumulation of wealth in a sector
rather than its fair distribution through social investment. With the pretext of development and
economic growth it affects the common good.

Moreover, there is considerable scepticism among families regarding their standard of living and
quality of life. While access to goods and services (public and private) has improved, the quality of
provision of these goods and services is problematic.

21
Caracol Noticias. Noticia: Construccin de 100 mil viviendas. Retrieved from:
http://www.urnadecristal.gov.co/gestion-gobierno/ya-est-n-en-construcci-n-100-mil-viviendas-gratuitas
20.1
12.6
23.3
7.0
6.1
5.7
0.6
0.5
19.4
9.3
24.3
6.9
5.5
5.1
1.4
2.4
Agricultura
Manufactureras
Comercio
Construccin
Transporte
Servicios Financieros
Electricidad, Gas y Agua
Minera
% OF EMPLOYMENT I N LATI N AMERI CA AND
THE CARI BBEAN BY ACTI VI TY. ( 2008, 2010,
2012)
2008 2010 2012

13


Families are increasingly subject to the economic interests of the private sector, and view the public
sector (government) as an entity that fails provide guarantees for a decent life and adequately
regulate the impacts created by the financial sector. Likewise, every year they see their household
economy affected by substantial rises in the prices of goods (inflation), which generates increases in
interest rates and taxes on goods and services in order to maintain a "healthy economy", while
incomes rise at a considerably lower rate. Finally, in cities costs and infrastructure are less
sustainable, due to lack of employment opportunities, education and decent housing, which are
increasingly scarce as a result of mobility caused by armed conflicts, social and economic
instability in rural areas, and lack of opportunities leading to migration that creates less stability and
more desperation.

Regarding employment and the family, while parents (father and mother) are contributing to the
household income, this process has also destabilised the social structure of the home, as economic
conditions have led to an increase of up to 30% in working time, primarily so they can maintain the
employment they already have and also look for other employment in the evenings to mitigate the
impact on households. This means they do not have enough time to dedicate to their children and
maintain vital relations in the home.

It should be emphasised that in rural areas families consider that their standard of living and living
conditions have remained the same, so scepticism regarding improvement of their poverty
conditions is growing. Young people from rural areas see migration to big cities as a chance to
access technology and better opportunities.

As may be noted from the reflections I have shared in this document, within the context of the
current (neoliberal) development model families have become an object for the sustainability of the
model, whereby practices implemented have generated environmental and social instability and
been supplanted by implementation of capitalist economies.

CONCLUSI ONS:

- The factors of the current development model affecting urban families are:

o lack of income security
o lack of employment security
o technical measurement of growth > human and sustainable measurement of
families > decent measurement of development
o speculation increases economic growth, but it does not generate fair and social
distribution of profit
o The sectors driving the economy are:
oil and coal extraction
manufacturing industry
electricity, gas and water production
financial institutions
construction
o centralisation of economic processes (municipalities, districts, towns, etc.)
o lack of public policies that support families

- The factors of the current development model affecting rural families are:
o unstable prices of agricultural inputs for production

14

o infrastructure deficiencies
o high transport costs
o failure to control smuggling
o lack of production stabilisation
o lack of rural technical training
o lack of opportunities (educational and employment) for young people
o high prevalence of monoculture which affects small farmers
o high rate of child prostitution
o difficulty in stabilising food security and sovereignty proposals
o contamination of water sources due to mining and energy exploitation and
exploration




15

Despite the difficulties created by the current development model in Latin America and the
Caribbean, the accompaniment of the Catholic Church via Caritas enables us to identify successful
(microeconomic) processes in which the family is playing a leading role in building a new form of
development.

Given the harshness of the current model, it is necessary to propose implementation of an
alternative model that tends towards the common good, nourishes us spiritually and guides us along
the paths of a fairer and more fraternal world.

Families experiencing insecure living conditions (at all levels) are merely victims of the crisis or,
with human and spiritual resources, they can be active protagonists in a new form of development
"with a human face".

Despite the difficult situation families are in (spiritual, economic, social, political and cultural),
many of them are currently developing processes as protagonists in the construction of a new form
of development, an integral human development and solidarity in which they drive, promote and
influence participatory community development processes, and social (family) and organisational
strengthening processes, as well as generating production and commercialisation processes by
promoting the solidarity economy.

Regarding this process, the National Social Ministry Secretariat / Caritas Colombia has an
intervention strategy
22
within the framework of the new model that includes four phases and four
levels:

a. Phases:
- Solidarity response to crisis
- Rehabilitation of the social fabric
- Planning and stabilisation
- Desired future

b. Levels:
- Personal
- Relational-community: in this level changes in relations and the most immediate social
environment that influences people are proposed. Family relations, socialisation groups, the
parish, the community, etc.
23

- Organisational
- Structural

The strategy includes elements in which the family plays a leading role in the new form of
development, as follows:

22
National Social Ministry Secretariat (December 2012). Estrategia de Intervencin Institucional. (p. 10).
23
Ibid. (p. 11).

16

Table 1, Capacities and themes Phase: Solidarity response to crisis

CAPACITIES AND THEMES SNPS STRATEGIC INTERVENTION EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT
SOLIDARITY RESPONSE TO CRISIS PHASE
Generate processes to reduce impacts and vulnerabilities regarding persons, families and communities, caused by natural and human-induced events,
through humanitarian assistance and psycho-social and legal support.
Likewise, analyse and raise the visibility of the issue in the search for an overall response by government and non-governmental organisations and
institutions at local, national and international level.
RELATIONAL LEVEL
Community strengthening Families can build capacities to organise and develop humanitarian action
initiatives to deal with emergency and crisis situations arising from armed
conflict or natural disasters.
Families and communities deal with
crisis in a coordinated and supportive
way.
Families build their capacity to analyse situations in order to assess the
individual, family and community needs of people affected by a crisis.
Risk management
Psycho-social support
Families help their communities to develop community plans that enable them
to mitigate or overcome a crisis.
Capacity to identify and strengthen actors, resources and talents that enable
them to mitigate and/or deal with a crisis.
Families build capacities regarding appropriate management of humanitarian
aid.
Families transform the historical imaginations of their communities and among
families, which polarise communities and hinder the building of bonds of trust
and respect for others.



17

Table 2, Capacities and themes Phase: Rehabilitation of the social fabric

CAPACITIES AND THEMES SNPS STRATEGIC INTERVENTION EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT
REHABILITATION OF THE SOCIAL FABRIC
Accompaniment of processes to rebuild the life plans and social fabric of persons, communities and grassroots communities, by giving a meaning of hope
to a situation that affects them as subjects of change and building their social relational and organisational capacities and skills.
Social management and political advocacy strategies should also be developed in order to obtain an effective response from governmental and non-
governmental organisations in these processes.
PERSONAL LEVEL
Themes Promotion and capacity building Expected change
Psycho-social support Capacity to work through painful experiences (give them meaning) and boost
available mechanisms and resources (individual, family and community) to deal with
/ transform a situation.
Family members work on
overcoming a crisis and internal
strengthening.
Capacity to give new meaning to one's life in the light of the experience of God.
Life plan Family members acquire capacities to develop or rebuild their life plans and identify
means and elements for realising them.
RELATIONAL-COMMUNITY LEVEL
Community strengthening
Historical memory
Families contribute towards rebuilding the social fabric and community bonds via
processes of memory and strengthening of identities, cultural values and community
resources.
Families help to strengthen social
cohesion in their communities.
Prospective planning of
community life plans
Via families, communities have the capacity to organise themselves in order to
dream and draw up community plans regarding transformations that aspire to be
collective.
Situation analysis Communities build capacities to analyse their situation and identify aspects that
damage human dignity and fragment community bonds, as well as those that enable
social cohesion.
Local areas Capacity to give new meaning to the relations they have built up in their local areas
marked by fear and social breakdown, in order to make their local areas spaces for
life.

18

Conflict transformation,
management and resolution
Capacity to transform community conflicts into opportunities for social change and
building solidarity relations, including the promotion of human dignity.

Capacity to express or raise the visibility of one's actions via communication
media.




19

Table 3, Capacities and themes Phase: Planning and stabilisation

CAPACITIES AND THEMES SNPS STRATEGIC INTERVENTION EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT
PLANNING AND STABILISATION PHASE
Accompaniment of human promotion processes aimed at the integral human development and solidarity of communities, in coordination with
organisations and institutions at local, regional, national and international level, by dealing with socio-political, socio-economic, socio-cultural and socio-
environmental dimensions.
PERSONAL LEVEL
Themes Promotion and capacity building Expected change
Building of public and common
good
Human rights
Families acquire capacity regarding recognition of their rights and duties, and
likewise for each member of the household (parents and children).

People with capacities and
skills to achieve integral
human development and
solidarity.
People with capacities to actively and responsibly participate in building the public
sector and actual enjoyment of rights.
The environment land use People with capacities to relate responsibly and sustainably with nature, the earth
and land as God's creation.
Culture context People with capacities to strengthen symbols, values and cultural practices that
promote the building of relations of recognition, respect and coexistence.
Solidarity economies People with capacities to identify and strengthen their vocations and skills
regarding productive activities, employment or subsistence initiatives.
RELATIONAL-COMMUNITY LEVEL
Political and democratic
participation
Citizenship and human rights
Families and communities with organised capacities to exercise citizenship and
political power in democratic spaces.
Organised communities work
proactively on integral human
development and solidarity.
Families and communities with capacities regarding knowledge of the organisation
and functioning of the government at local and national level.
The environment land use Families and communities with capacities to conserve and look after the
environment and establish sustainable development actions.
Extractive economies
constructive economies for
Families and communities with capacities for critical and proactive analysis of
projects or initiatives that damage life or the environment.

20

life.
Interculturality Families and communities with capacities to establish relations of solidarity,
respect and recognition with regard to other social groups and special cultural
identities.
Solidarity economies Families and communities with capacities to create solidarity economy initiatives,
organisations and/or cooperatives.
Families and communities with capacities to implement food sovereignty and
nutrition strategies, and sustainable production chains and fair trade.


21



The family is vital building a new form of development integral human development and
solidarity and sustainable peace-building through its complete participation (parents and children),
who should identify its role in building this development. So far we have had positive experiences
in which families contribute to, build and sustain community development processes.
24


In order to identify the importance of introducing programmes that promote an alternative
development, they should be based on ethical, economic, political, cultural and spiritual ethics, as
presented in integral human development and solidarity, with a view to building and protecting the
common good.
25


Efforts should be made to reduce impacts generated by structural problems that have led to
conflicts, and aspects such as participation, organisational strengthening and creation of socio-
economic stabilisation processes should be included.

As part of the advocacy project and community development initiative, efforts were made to bring
about changes that will lead to a real reduction in poverty. 1. Communities are creating
participatory processes involving active construction of local development, drawing up of
community plans that enable identification of local development organisational needs, and
formulation of initiatives that are disseminated and registered at town councils and municipal town
halls to obtain funding. 2. Organisational strengthening processes are created to promote solidarity
economy initiatives and thereby improve organisational structures through building administrative,

24
National Social Ministry Secretariat (15 June 2013). Programa Gente Solidaria. Proyecto Incidencia y
Desarrollo Comunitario INDECO. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMgeqvGPftg
25
Blogspot Jos Oscar Henao Monje (27 May 2014). Article: Procesos de Proyeccin y Estabilizacin del
Desarrollo Comunitario. Retrieved from: http://joseoscarhenaomonje.blogspot.com/2014/05/procesos-de-
proyeccion-y-estabilizacion.html?view=magazine

22

accounting and managerial capacities. 3. It is vital that organisations identify lines of production
and then join forces with local entities so as to improve their production techniques and increase
production, and also implement commercial initiatives in collaboration with local authorities. With
the experience thus acquired it is also vital to have production initiatives that enable management of
stabilisation and commercialisation in order to move forward.
26


Moreover, good use of public funds is promoted via oversight and social monitoring in which
protection of the common good is a priority for communities. Regarding economic processes in
families, inter-institutional relations must be established, in which technical training and funding
bodies play a key role in accompanying and implementing production initiatives via mobile
markets, farmers markets, solidarity shops, etc. They should be expressions of family economic
sustainability and sustainable reinvestment.

The outcome of accompaniment processes regarding construction and implementation of the
strategy is determined by the arrangement and interrelationship of various factors. 1) Generate and
strengthen knowledge 2) encourage abilities and 3) promote skills.

Each of these aspects is part of the academic, technical and spiritual interrelationship, and therefore
the intervention in communities should go hand in hand with the above principle that promotes
integral human development and solidarity. The role of lay people, priests and everyone who
accompanies and participates in evangelisation processes should form an integral part.

A vital aspect of the process is trust between the community and the Church, in which communities
see the Church as a friend and partner engaged with the community and committed to justice, equity
and dignity. On various occasions this has given the Church access to places where no one else may
go, and thanks to its impartiality, it enables us to guarantee that suitable processes are developed
and implemented in communities.

In order to achieve this process in building a new form of development, all members of the family
(fathers, mothers and children) must participate in fair trade, responsible consumption, social
economy and ethical finance processes, as well as in other development initiatives.

Fair trade
27
: Fair trade is a trading relationship based on dialogue, transparency and
respect that aims to make international trade fairer.

It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions and
guaranteeing the rights of small producers and marginalised workers.

Responsible consumption
28
: Choosing products and services not only based on quality and price but
also on their environmental and social impact and the conduct of the companies that make and
provide them.
Therefore, you are recognised as a sustainable consumer if:


26
Ibid.
27
Caritas Spain. (n.d.). Qu es la economa solidaria. Retrieved from:
http://caritasespanola.es/economiasolidaria2/que-es-la-economia-solidaria/comercio-justo/que-es-el-
comercio-justo
28
Caritas Spain. (n.d.). Qu es el consumo responsable. Retrieved from:
http://caritasespanola.es/economiasolidaria2/que-es-la-economia-solidaria/consumo-responsable/que-es-el-
consumo-responsable-2

23

o you are aware of the footprint your everyday actions leave on the planet
o you aim to make this impact positive
o you know that another form of economy exists the solidarity economy which works and
puts people at the centre
o you want to promote change in society
o you want stable employment to be created for people in difficulty
o you would like to consume sustainably, by buying in a way that takes care of our
environment
o you want to improve the conditions of local farmers and countries
o you support change on a daily basis.

In addition, via the social economy
29
we can identify the combination of economic and
entrepreneurial activities in the private sector that bring about entities that pursue the collective
interests of their members and economic and social interest. In which:

o products and/or services likely to enter the market place are created, and
o people who have difficulties in joining the ordinary labour market comprise an instrument of
social and labour integration.

Finally, financial ethics
30
involve people and their saving capacity in projects aimed at
development, redistribution of wealth and protection of the environment anywhere on the planet.
Having coherent personal ethical values is closely connected with the capacity to choose where and
how we invest our savings; this choice also determines our responsibility in terms of the effects the
use of our money has on human development and ecology. (Finanzas ticas: La otra cara de la
moneda, 2006. p. 4).

As part of the family's role in the construction of new forms of development, it is necessary to
guarantee that in urban and rural organisational processes the roles of parents, spouses and children
play a vital part, and therefore define values, practices and difficulties that enable us to create short-
, medium- and long-term processes.

With a view to sharing reflections on the difficulties that families are facing today, we can note the
principles that we should encourage in families to build a new form of development.

In order to guarantee that the processes of building a new form of development are optimal, families
need internal strengthening. Therefore, as pastoral agents we are committed to encouraging
principles through spiritual and psychological accompaniment and guidance. Principles such as
respect, dialogue within families, understanding and tolerance, and mutual solidarity. These
principles enable mitigation of certain difficulties within families that prevent them from
participating in a better way. Families are currently
31
classified as follows:


29
Caritas Spain. (n.d.). Qu es economa social. Retrieved from:
http://caritasespanola.es/economiasolidaria2/que-es-la-economia-solidaria/economia-social/que-es-la-
economia-social
30
Caritas Spain. (n.d.). Qu son las finanzas ticas. Retrieved from:
http://caritasespanola.es/economiasolidaria2/que-es-la-economia-solidaria/finanzas-eticas/que-son-las-
finanzas-eticas
31
Missionary portal. Obras misionales pontificias. Juventud Misionera en Costa Rica. (n.d.). PDF document:
Familia Cristina, Familia Misionera. (p.1). Retrieved from:
http://www.portalmisionero.com/familiacristiana.pdf

24

- The fridge family: Loss of confidence, without human warmth.
- The hotel family: Family members only return to eat and sleep, no sharing.
- The prison family: No freedom of expression, opinions may not be given.
- The basement family: Closed, does not open its doors to other people.

In order to guarantee real accompaniment each of us "is responsible for working for the family" as
the first community in transforming the world and striving for a fairer and more fraternal world.

It is also necessary to identify which values, practices and difficulties need strengthening and work
within families on the construction of our development proposal.

VALUES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FORM OF DEVELOPMENT

Justice, because an economy should be humane, supportive and fair, and therefore we propose fair
trade.

Solidarity, because this value involves Love, joint work with one's neighbour ("neighbourhood
economy"), and striving together for what we cannot achieve on our own. It develops the meaning
of life in the community and cooperation.

Honesty, implies the fight against corruption, not stealing, and living from work and
industriousness rather than seeking an "easy life.

Truthfulness, because truth is fundamental for trust at all levels and in the economy (cf. Caritas in
Veritate). Always aim to tell the truth about things, as they are. God is complete Truth.

Fraternity, which implies recognition that we are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the
same Father who is God. This is a value that goes beyond solidarity and in itself expresses the
fullness of Love at all levels and therefore in implementation of the economy (cf. economy of
gratuitousness in Caritas in veritate).

PRACTICES REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FORM OF
DEVELOPMENT

Promote industriousness, honesty and mutual help in the family via concrete actions so that the
family can "irradiate out" to the community by its example.

Develop an economic meaning in our way of life. Work on the basis of a family assumption centred
on basic needs and building the capacities of its members beyond super-luxury and luxury.

Place education, health, housing and promotion of employment of its members as very important
items among the family's economic investments, with creativity and efficient use of resources.

Look to the future so that the meaning of love, fraternity and family solidarity is the basis of a long-
term sustainable economy. Pay special attention to the most vulnerable persons in the family.

Reach out to the community from the experience of these actions in the family and present forms of
chains of family solidarity in the community, for example by creating forms of supportive
cooperation and supportive projects.


25

Starting from families, learn to express solidarity towards others, and contribute financially to joint
projects.

Share positive experiences in the family and in the community.


PRACTICES THAT HINDER THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FORM OF
DEVELOPMENT

Implementation of a dominant neoliberal economy that undervalues solidarity. Being exclusively
guided by the profit motive.

Public policies (not only those of national, departmental and local government) that exclusively
favour the profit economy rather than an economy based on common good and solidarity.

Selfish economic criteria that create obstacles to or undervalue solidarity practices.

Neglect of the goods of creation which hinders a solidarity and ecology economy with respect to
family and community matters.

Levels of corruption that generate artificial "economic" processes or unethical economies which are
therefore not viable in the long term.

An aspect to be emphasised is the poor use of resources by families. The current situation in Latin
America and the Caribbean is as follows:

()
( )


()


Finally I would like to share some challenges that we face as pastoral workers in accompanying
families in building a new form of development. First of all it is necessary to mention that There's
a significant difference between being a pastoral worker and social activist or leader; pastoral
workers are above all 'agents of change', as they have opted for faith in response to Jesus Christ's
invitation to participate in Building the Kingdom (the desired future) to free the world from
everything that goes against Salvation"
32
.

Where true liberation leads to commitment to building a new society in which justice and love in all
spheres of activity and human relations are realised
33
.

In the first instance, training of pastoral workers, and their conviction and commitment, requires
encouragement, promotion and influence regarding:


32
National Social Ministry Secretariat (August 2013). Segundo modulo formativo en Doctrina Social (p. 1).
33
Ibid. (p. 1).

26

- Knowledge and practice of the principles of the Social Teaching of the Church (common
good, participation).
- Theoretical and practical knowledge (professional) that leads to development of social and
solidarity economic processes and solidarity.
- Awareness of and solidarity with those most in need.
- Recognition that:
o "The family is the basic unit of society; this is indispensible for ensuring the
continuity of society. When the family fares badly society fares badly and when
society fares badly it is the family that is affected by it.
34

o "The family is, par excellence, a space for socialisation and the process of
solidarity. Children who see their parents sharing, giving and paying attention to
others can in turn replicate the same values.
35

- Join together with pastoral plans in ecclesiastical jurisdictions, identifying actions aimed at
the family and the building of decent and supportive development.
- Identify each action in terms of the ongoing processes that may arise in a context, and
analyse situations via a pastoral approach.
- All pastoral workers should be equipped with practical tools to accompany and listen to
families.

I hope that my reflections in this document will enable sharing of contextual elements and
encourage the work we pastoral workers carry out every day on behalf of the Church around the
world.

Likewise, we should give accounts of Caritas in our countries that encourage the experience of
Charity via families. In seeking this end, we will be able to bring together the pastoral organisations
that strengthen the various aspects of the family (youth, early childhood, family, social,
employment, health, education, among others).


"Dreams are still alive for those who don't give up dreaming" Anonymous.


34
Caritas Internationalis. (n.d.). Poverty damaging family life and society. Retrieved from:
http://www.caritas.org/2014/03/poverty-damaging-family-life-society/
35
Ibid.

27

Thanks:


To God who gives us the strength to build a fairer and more fraternal world, and accompanies us in
the development of processes that enable stewardship of creation.

To the communities we accompany, who day by day enable us to build the common good with
them.

To our directors and colleagues who in each Caritas in Latin America and the Caribbean do their
utmost to help those in need.

To those who provided contributions and experiences for this document:

Msgr Hctor Fabio Henao Gaviria, Director of Caritas Colombia
Fr Francisco Hernndez, Secretary General of SELACC
Fr Andrs Bustacara Bustacara, Deputy Director of Caritas Colombia
Fr Patricio Sarlat, DHIS Officer, Caritas Mexico
Humberto Ortiz, DHIS Officer, SELACC
The Caritas Colombia team Camilo Ramrez Herrera, Laura Chacn Gonzlez, Boris
Martnez Marrugo and Roger Carlos Hernndez.