St. Vincent de Paul National Award

A search for people and/or organizations whose project(s) reflect the concept and framework of systemic change, recognizing and honoring them for their service to the poor

Rationale of the SVP National Award

1. Pope John Paul II, in 1986 said:
   
   “Search out more than ever, with boldness, humility and skill, the causes of poverty and encourage short and long-term solutions – adaptable and effective concrete solutions.  By doing so, you will work for the credibility of the gospel and of the Church.” (Address to the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission, 1986)
   
   
2. The genius of St. Vincent de Paul, the universal patron of all charitable works and charitable organizations, is in creating a system of helping the poor or in organized charity rather than just individual charitable work.
   
   
3. In rightful recognition of people and/or organizations which worked together to build up the poor and give them their dignity, the International Vincentian Family has called on fellow Vincentians around the world to emphasize the concept and framework of systemic change in all its pro-poor projects and implement its strategies.
   
   
4. Through its Commission for the Promotion of Systemic Change, the Vincentian Family has also called for the implementation of four strategies of systemic change, to wit: 
   
   
   • Mission-oriented strategies [focusing on direction and motivation]
   • People-oriented strategies [focusing on the poor as the persons who are most capable of changing their own situations]
   • Task-oriented strategies [focusing on organization]
   • Strategies directed toward co-responsibility, networking and political action [focusing on participation and solidarity]