The forum, themed "Do No Harm" after a text, will address the sector of the faith-based community that works in domestic disaster response and recovery, whether the disaster is human-caused or natural.   CWS seeks to stimulate discussion among experienced disaster ministry professionals - both volunteer and paid - who plan and implement faith community involvement in disaster management.

Bob Arnold, CWS Emergency Response Associate Director for Capacity Building, says the Forum addresses a gap in disaster ministry education.   "Up to this point," he points out, "there has been no disciplined venue to look at disaster management research and cutting-edge field activities towards informing the way disaster ministry is carried out.  Through the Forum, we will identify resources that are needed to enhance disaster ministry."

The keynote presentation, "Mitigation and Sustainable Communities," will be made by James Lee Witt, former director of FEMA (Federal Emergency Agency).

Day One of the Forum will address disaster response research in the presentations "Overview of Key Disaster Research and Its Significance in Disaster Ministry," by Dennis Mileti, former director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, and "Participatory Action Research: Making a Practical Difference For Disaster-Vulnerable Populations..."

Day Two will focus on a Mitigation and Preparedness Track in "Public Policy in Disaster Ministry;"  "Preparing Neighborhoods for Emergencies and Disaster;" and a selection of workshops: ·Social Enterprise and Local Sustainable Development as Disaster Ministry
·Preparing to Respond to Disaster Needs of Vulnerable Populations
·Preventing Technological Disasters Through Public Policy

Day Three will address a Response and Recovery Track: Community Organizing and Spiritual Care, with "Going Beyond a Ministry of Presence To Bring Order Out of Chaos," and a presentation on the CWS STAR program by Eastern Mennonite University leaders.

Day Four will identify key faith ministry capacity issues.

A work group including disaster ministry staff and volunteers from Church of the Brethren, Lutheran Disaster Response, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ  (UCC), and the United Methodist Church created the event. Florence Coppola, who directs the domestic disaster response program for the UCC, chairs the work group.

For further information on the Forum please contact Bob Arnold, CWS,
barnold@churchworldservice.org