The Management of Caritas Sri Lanka (CSL) initiated a review process of the current National Centre Strategic Plan 2015 – 2018 on May 23 – 24, 2017 with the participation of all 13 Diocesan Directors and key staff from the National Centre & the respective Diocesan Centers in Chilaw. The two day review workshop was facilitated by Mr. Kushal Neogy, Sub Regional Director – Partnerships for Catholic Relief Services, South Asia. Participants engaged in several group exercises to:
(a). Analyze the Uniqueness, Relevance of the current Strategic Plan; Improvements needed based on the current context and key information required to define the overarching ‘goal’;
(b). Analyze Internal & External Shocks; Key Trends at Diocesan Level; Organizational Assets, Structures & Systems; and
(c). Identify current Challenges & Issues; Opportunities and required Organizational Capacities for Caritas, during the two full days.
The two days of meetings were led by Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatileke, National Director.
The interactive sessions and group discussions at the workshop provided a forum for reflection and sharing of key strategic ideas which could inform the future Strategic Plan 2018 – 2020. Mr. Neogy, facilitating the two day workshop, encouraged the participants to ‘prioritize’ key programmatic and sectoral interventions rather than embrace all issues faced by the poor, marginalized and the vulnerable populations served by Caritas across the 12 dioceses. “We need to realize that we will neither have the resources nor the capacities to do ‘everything’ as an organization”, Mr. Neogy stressed. He further reiterated that Caritas Sri Lanka should focus its efforts in a few key strategic areas for greater impact, sustainability and organizational competence, mindful of the existence and contribution of state and non-state actors and stakeholders engaged in similar work across the country.
It is expected that the outcomes of the discussions will lead to the formulation of first draft of the 2018-2020 Strategic Plan for Caritas Sri Lanka in the next few months. A cross-functional team was appointed to serve as a consultative body for the formulation of the Strategic Plan, which ensure that all staff engaged in the strategy process.
Rev.Fr. Anton Wyman Croos, Director of Caritas Chilaw-Janasaviya assisted in coordinating the workshop in Chilaw.
