Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs)

The July issue of Resource Updates for Good Practice focuses on two outstanding books for our member care libraries and practice.

The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition (2010).

This is a newly released book to support TCKs as they launch into university.

It is filled with lots of practical tips, principles, and stories for students, their parents, and all those involved with international students/education.

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds (2009).

This is an updated version of the classic book on TCKs, originally published in 1999.

It further develops our understanding of TCKS as well as the additional types of people who are Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs).

Staying Alive in Dangerous Places

In the June issue of the MCA Update we include two sets of materials. Resource Updates for Good Practice

1. Safety issues for mission workers: links to a special audio report and a case study.

2. Safety issues for humanitarian workers: links to a special magazine issue and a recent report on staff security.

Keep in mind that there is considerable debate concerning how much risk is ethically acceptable when exposing mission/aid staff to dangerous settings. Also keep in mind that there are “reasons” for wanting to harm mission/aid staff in that they can be seen as posing risks to the established political/social order, religious truth/stability, and the objectives of warring factions. Finally, note that some of the main stressors for mission/aid workers also include interpersonal conflict, organizational/management practices, and feeling helpless to meet major needs. For more reflections/resources on Safety and Protection in mission/aid, see the current/upcoming entries at: www.COREmembercare.blogspot.com

Photo courtesy UNHCR, Refugees magazine, (Number 121, 2000)

Culture and Diversity in Member Care

Recently we reviewed culture/diversity in international health on our weblog: CORE Member Care

We included several core materials that promote understanding, respect, and competency regarding human diversity and multicultural settings. For example, one of the most outstanding resources we know is a book written to practically help health care workers in almost any setting around the world—Where There is No Psychiatrist. Member care workers and all those with member care responsibility, regardless of their mental health backgrounds, will also find this manual to be very helpful and at times even fascinating!

Note: We recently added (19 April 2010) new links to a short, inspiring video about the work of The Banyan Tree in Madras, India plus five brief interviews from international health experts on topics such as depression and global mental health.

United Nations flag United Nations Millennium Development Goals

There are eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, to providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015. These goals form a global roadmap for crucial and sustainable development on behalf of the poorest people in the world. They have been agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. (paraphrased from the United Nations website for the MDG). Two helpful, short videos about the MDGs are in the MDG section of the Member Caravan website.

Note: Be sure to check out the progress updates for the MDGs and in preparation for the upcoming MDG conference in September 2010 in New York.

somalia woman at gate God in the Global Office: Practicing Member Care in Mission/Aid

This free power point is an interactive, narrated presentation. Kelly and Michèle O’Donnell share their experiences in member care and current/future needs. It is oriented for those with member care responsibilities/interests and those studying /working in health care fields. Also available as an audio download at:

http://www.archive.org/details/GodInTheGlobalOfficePracticingMemberCareInMissionAndAid

Note: Future project to develop online modular training for team resiliency.

The Pearls and Perils:

Doing Member Care in Mission/Aid Settings

Fuller School of Psychology USA, Integration Symposium (Feb 2009).

The three lectures are available for free online (written, audio, video):

*Staying Healthy in Difficult Places (historical notes and future directions)

*Promoting Health in Mission/Aid (dysfunction, relationships, organizational life)

*Developing Good Practice Guidelines (ethics and human rights principles)

Note: Upcoming materials (available late June/July) will expand these three topics in order to further promote good practice internationally.

MCA Web Sites

July 2010—August 2010

Preview CORE Member Care: Reflections and Resources for Good Practice

This weblog is updated 3-4 times per month. The thoughts and tools are designed to help us explore the many facets and current issues of member care. The weblog also endeavours to help us all look into our own hearts as we further develop our member care skills.

Topics: Previous topics: transparency, resiliency, and culture/diversity in international health. Current topic: Safety and protection in dangerous places. Upcoming topic: TBA

Resources for Good Practice: MCA Updates

Monthly updates on special resources to support those with member care responsibility. Each month a few core resources are presented. The Updates are designed to encourage us as learners-practitioners who cross cultures, disciplines, and sectors for good practice. The Updates are archived at the Member Caravan website. Contact MCA to be put on the recipient list: MCAresources@gmail.com

Updates: February, Dealing with Disasters. March, Pornography/Addictions. April, Global Mental Health.

May, Human Resource Systems. June, Staying Alive in Dangerous Places

Reality DOSE:

Promoting Health in Mission/Aid Settings

This site offers a practical and thought-provoking article in 12 languages. It explores the crucial topic of personal/systemic health and dysfunction. Additional links connect you with resources for good practice, business ethics, financial stewardship, and accountability. Impunity for the misuse of power is not an option.

Recent Updates: 1. UN Global Compact—a strategic intuitive for businesses that embodies 10 core principles for human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

2. New book by Dr. Taryn Vian at Boston University et al (2010): Anticorruption in the Health Sector: Strategies for Transparency and Accountability

Giants, Foxes, Wolves, and Flies: Managing Life’s Meta-4s

This site includes an article about four common areas of struggle and growth for mission/aid personnel (in five languages). It also offers the CHOPS Inventory in seven languages and a few other links for free assessment tools.

Recent Updates: 1. Link to Human Resource Management Assessment Tool (Management Sciences for Health). Available also in French and Spanish.

2. Link to a great overview of human resource management—Strengthening HRM to Improve Health Outcomes (Management Sciences for Health).

Member Caravan:

Traveling Together as Learners-Practitioners

canterubury2

This site is oriented for those who are interested/involved in member care and international work in the health care fields, especially graduate students. The materials include interviews, historical quotes on the integration of mental health and missions; articles, training resources, links to other materials, etc. Note: Caravan is also the name of a group of graduate students, professors, and health care people in the Southern California area. They meet regularly to share their personal experiences, discuss mental health issues related to missions and international work, obtain training from experts in the field, and network with other students and professionals. Contact: danchile@gmail.com Also, several graduate students from a few training institutions attended/met at the Mental Health and Missions Conference in the USA (November 2009).

Recent Updates:

Special Training Day at Fuller School of Psychology (Pasadena, California) sponsored by Caravan. This gathering took place on 19 June 2010. It included presentations and discussions about the impact of organizational ethos on operational objectives and staff well-being as well as challenges of individual care in field settings. The materials presented on organizational ethos are located on the Member Caravan website and include teaching notes and the organizational case study that was used from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). (click link above)

International Resource Links

Chinese-Asia Member Care Projects (CHAMP)

Written and audio materials including articles, case studies, and two books.

Most of the articles are from Doing Member Care Well (2002) and IJFM (October 1995).

www.Chinamembercare.com

Arabic Member Care Projects (AMP)

Written articles mostly from Doing Member Care Well (2002).

http://sites.google.com/site/arabicmembercare

Indonesia Member Care Projects (IMP)

Written articles, handouts, seminars, personal growth materials.

http://sites.google.com/site/indonesiamembercare

Spanish Resources (COMIBAM)