Calvin College

Faith & International Development Conference

January 31 - February 2, 2008  

GRAND RAPIDS, U.S.—More than 500 students from the U.S., Canada and around the world recently attended the 3rd annual Faith and International Development Conference at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The theme of the conference was “Sustainability: Fruit that Lasts”, based on John 15:5, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (TNIV). Keynote speakers Ida Mutoigo of Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Edward M. Cardoza of Partners in Health, Ernso Jean Louis of Partners Worldwide, and Luis Noda of Food for the Hungry presented their views on sustainability in their various fields of community development, healthcare, business and agronomy. Representatives from dozens of organizations also led breakout sessions on topics ranging from micro-finances to root causes of poverty to political consciousness at a local level. Michelle Fraser and Andrew VanStee, volunteer student coordinators, began drafting the theme and plans for the conference nearly a year ago under the guidance of Professor Roland Hoksbergen, director of the Calvin College department of International Development Studies. “In development, ‘sustainability’ is a buzz word,” says Fraser, “but what does it practically mean on the field for development practitioners, and what can students learn now that will be useful for them in their future roles?” According to Fraser, the conference also met its two main goals: the formation of relationships and the transfer of knowledge. “The consistent feedback I get from speakers, organization representatives and development professionals is that they are encouraged from interacting with energetic, idealistic and hopeful students who are forming the next generation of fieldworkers.”

- Written by Calvin College student Jacqueline Klamer