A Brother Knight we need to know about!

Ulrich Schmitt

International Consultant for PICO in Central America

n  Coordinates the first regional organizing project for PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing) consisting of six countries (Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panamá), which was approved by the 55 members of the SEDAC body of Catholic bishops (Secretariado Episcopal De America Central) in Central America under the leadership of Cardinal Rodríguez (Honduras), Mons. Alvaro Ramazzini (Guatemala) in November 2003 and its current president Mons. José Francisco Ulloa (Costa Rica) in 2004.

n  Formation of a Regional Consulting Body (Sponsoring Committee), consisting if 2-3 Bishops of each country.

n  Trained over 1900 pastoral agents from all six countries (35 Bishops, 750 clergy and 1200 lay people) in the PICO organizing method over the last two years.

n  Raised $375,000 from US and international sources to staff and operate the regional project.

n  Build a historical and very successful Pilot Project in El Salvador, in collaboration with Bishops, clergy and parish leaders in three dioceses, in conjunction with the national CARITAS, CRS and Jesuit network. The first of its kind community organization COFOA (Faith Communities in Action) was born, June 2007.

n  Over 2200 community leaders – members of COFOCA - have been engaging with their local government and private business representatives to negotiate over $3.1 million in infrastructure investments and clean water improvement during the years of 2007 – 08.

n  Coordinates faith based community organizing efforts with the PICO National Network in the US and with the newly born community organization “Congregations Rebuilding Community in Rwanda” (CRCR), Africa.

n  Responsible for broader expansions efforts toward Europe and Africa. Leads conversations for similar faith based organizing efforts with the Secretary General of the CELAM (Latina American Bishops Conference) in Colombia and with the Secretary General of the COMECE (Catholic Bishops Committee for the European Community) in Belgium.

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