VeNews February 9, 2001

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Faith-Based Organizations and the Global Internet: Vesper Invitational Consultation

Vesper has invited 21 selected individuals from 9 countries to come together to discuss the question, "How is the Internet impacting convening, collaboration, and leadership in faith-based organizations in different countries and cultures around the world?" The three-day consultation will be held Feb. 15-17, 2001, in Burlingame, California.

The Internet with its ready access to information is changing the way organizations function wherever they are located. Local agencies in different cultures throughout the world are eager to use the Internet as an information tool and want training to use it effectively. While training in technical Internet skills is fairly standard, training in how to apply information gained from the Internet to serve local constituencies is less clear. Learning how to develop leadership around online technologies is most important of all. It is this issue - understanding how the Internet impacts leadership in faith-based organizations around that world - that is the core of the consultation.

The individuals invited to the consultation represent global organizations, regional agencies, and local centers as well as global technology corporations. The consultation will study a sample of existing faith-based Internet networks and services to learn what is currently available. Then the consultation will move to specific cases of local and regional organizations as they implement the Internet into their operations and programs. Corporate representatives will explain how they use the Internet for planning and communication, and implications for global faith-based initiatives. The emerging field of leadership in online communities, especially global communities, will be a focus of discussion. Finally, participants will map out a program for future work.

A report of the consultation including a complete agenda, list of participants, and recommendations for future work will be available in early March 2001. To request a copy of the report, or for more information on the conference, contact us at .

Vesper Society is a private operating foundation with programs in leadership, health, and Central America. Our mission is to create opportunities for individuals, groups, and organizations to apply moral and ethical values in decision making on social and economic issues.