Getting business on side to transform the world
Cows in desert
Farzana is the Head of Major Gifts and Philanthropy at CAFOD. She introduces her open reflection on the role of the private sector for the common good and invites us to join it.
At CAFOD, my team and I are called to work with supporters who are looking to partner with us to reach those who need our help the most.
Corporate partnerships are a mutually enriching way to engage with CAFOD, donating as an organization to fund life-saving work while achieving client and employee engagement.
Corporate donations, company-matched giving and fundraising as an organisation are great ways to bring about positive change directly from our workplace.
Find out how your organisation can get involved with CAFOD
When a company’s leaders and employees recognise they have a responsibility towards society and our common home, tackling global social and environmental challenges becomes part of a long-term and sustainable strategy. In this case, a metaphorical bridge connects the business, its clients and employees with communities overseas in overcoming poverty and injustice.
Private sector and the common good
The importance of good businesses contributing to the common good is being increasingly recognised in diverse cultures and by religious leaders.
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, on Care for our Common Home (2015), prompts discussions on the role of business and what the enterprise sector can do to be part of the global solution to poverty and inequality, tackling for example the refugees’ crisis, as well as ecological challenges such as climate change.
There is an urgency in the Pope’s call for everyone to contribute to a global dialogue and redefine the concept of development.
This is why, at CAFOD we initiated a reflection about the model of development we are pursuing as an international aid agency and on how the responsibility for others can be shared by the private sector. This reflection now needs the voice, perspective and creativity of you all – as employees, future workers, business leaders or clients of a firm.
Please join us in making a global difference to poverty, inequality and injustice.
Does our work have anything to do with our faith?
This is the first and underpinning question of our reflection, regardless of what our faith or confession is.
Is my job a true vocation? Am I living a divided life, separating my faith from my daily job?
In order to encourage us to join the dialogue, Fr Augusto Zampini Davies, CAFOD’s Theology Adviser, asks these questions to himself and all of us. He shares his thoughts on the challenge of integrating faith into business life and economic models.
Share this reflection on work and faith with your friends and colleagues
A journey with CAFOD
I invite you to join us in this reflection, which should lead to a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation.
For this to be a true dialogue, as called by the Pope, we would like to hear your experience on facing these challenges in your life and businesses. We do not want your wisdom to be left out of this enriching process of dialogue (cf. Laudato Si’, #63).
If you are interested in joining this dialogue and receiving further communications on related activities, please, express your interest in receiving updates and hear more about this reflection or send an email to companies@cafod.org.uk.
The more people we can encourage to think deeply about these issues, the closer we can move towards the “new kind of development” that Pope Francis has called for.