Caritas India has pledged to invest in the Human Resource Development by training its newly recruited staff on work ethics, culture and relations in a development organization. This training was necessary for individual and organizational growth. The two days staff development programme was organized on 26^th & 27^th February 2019 at Navjivan Renewal Center, Civil Lines, for new joiners. It was designed to provide an opportunity to the new recruits to understand the working culture, work ethics, code of conduct and environment of Caritas India.

Ms. Meena Minj, Manager, HR welcomed the participants and introduced the facilitator Mr. Kushal Neogy, Director, Sub Regional Partnerships, Catholic Relief Services. The sessions began with the introduction of participants and Fr Paul Moonjely, Executive Director, Caritas India giving his introductory remarks. He shared the key factors to be successful as – to be united, valuing time, paying more attention to the process, connecting and being faithful with each other as well as the organization.  He had set the tone of the training using his own life experiences of growing out of negativity and calling the staff of the organization as the asset and resource of the organization.

Post the introductory session, Mr. Kushal began with a soul-searching question “Why are we in this business?” He related how a non – profit organization can also be called a business model. He brought out the similarities between a non-profit and business. The code of conduct of Caritas India deals with (1) Values, Codes & Ethics (2) Protection of property and Stewardship (3) Conflict of Interest, Coercion & Corruption (4) Personal Conduct. The session was focused on creating an understanding of the standard code of conduct in Caritas India among the participants.

The second session was centered on “Ethics as per Catholic Social Teachings (CST)”. The ethics of Caritas India is nourished by Catholic Social Teachings. Caritas India follows 10 principles of CST namely: 1. Dignity 2. Common Good, 3. Option for Poor, 4. Rights & Responsibilities, 5. Subsidiarity, 6. Justice, 7. Stewardships, 8. Peace,9. Participation, 10. Global Solidarity. The participants in groups of two were asked to reflect and bring out two ideas on each CST on how the same can be implemented in their daily routines in the organisation. Following which some work-life situations were analyzed keeping the CST as the foundation. The final session on day 1 was focused on the “Culture of an organization” and its essential elements. Participants were made aware that building a positive environment is important for the growth of the organization. As part of the group activity the groups were asked to discuss on (1) What do you want your organization culture to be? (2) Why do you want it so? (3) What can/should you do about it? The participants shared their views on an enabling environment can be created within the organisation which would result in a greater impact of our work on the society. The facilitator reinforced on the importance of giving identity to fellow staff members, facilitating collective commitment and promote social system stability.

The second day of the training was focused on developing interpersonal communication among colleagues. The discussions were centered around different communication styles, identifying our own communication styles and improving the same. The facilitator also reiterated that proper communication depends on multiple factors such as language, the channel of communication and understanding of context. Post lunch reflection on two days training and module was conducted along with groups were asked to prepare an action plan on implementing CST and communication styles learned in our daily work life.

Mr.  Neeraj Kerketta, Program Officer, Caritas India on behalf of the management and participants extended gratitude towards Mr. Kushal and thanked him for facilitating the sessions. The concluding remarks were made by Fr Jolly, Asst. Executive Director, Caritas India. He acknowledged the contribution made by Mr. Kushal in the staff development program. He also reinstated that Caritas India being a faith-based organization, should spread solidarity and peace to each other, should adhere the ethics and work for/ to the poor and the same should reflect in our deeds.