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Episcopal Relief & Development Presents Response to the Proposed Global Anglican Relief and Development Alliance (GARDA)

March 9, 2010

In autumn 2009, the Anglican Communion Office issued a proposal for a Global Anglican Relief and Development Alliance (GARDA), which would enhance collaboration and mutual accountability among Anglican relief and development agencies and Church organizations doing development work.

Episcopal Relief & Development was asked to formulate a response to this proposal on behalf of The Episcopal Church and its constituents. The agency distributed an online survey and conducted two focus groups in New York and twelve in-depth interviews with Episcopal Church leaders to gather feedback.

The response to the GARDA proposal indicates broad agreement that the formation of an alliance of this sort could provide a major advantage in coordinating Anglican relief and development work around the world. There is positive consensus on the mission, the five major objectives, what activities fall outside the GARDA charter, the criteria for participation and the code of good conduct included in the proposal.

While the response indicates broad agreement with the GARDA proposal, it also brings to light a few key concerns of the Episcopal church:

• In doing too much too quickly, GARDA risks doing “very little, not well.” A phased approach with initial efforts devoted primarily to sustainable development and secondarily to relief might be beneficial.

• While prayer and advocacy are important, they should not be a part of the GARDA charter.

• A separate advocacy group should be formed, either as part of existing Anglican Communion Networks or independently, to speak for the Communion on major world issues, work with bishops and include other groups and voices in the dialogue.

• Membership in GARDA should be open only to proven relief and development groups under the governance of officially recognized Provinces of the Anglican Communion or officially recognized Extra-Provincial Churches.

• The organizational structure needs more evaluation; as written, it is potentially too bureaucratic and may hinder the accomplishment of its objectives.

• The acronym “GARDA” is problematic and an alternative name should be considered.

• The location of the Secretariat should be carefully considered and located in a place that is close to the work being done.

For more detailed information, read the full response to the GARDA proposal.

Episcopal Relief & Development is deeply appreciative of all those who took time to provide their feedback for the formulation of this response.