International and Community Development
The human condition in our world continues to propel
International and Community Development (ICD) as a viable and growing
field of study. For Christians it raises a daunting question of “how can we be
the Church of Jesus Christ in our world today?” Of the estimated world
population of 6.45 billion, one out of three people live in severe poverty
(defined as living on two dollars or less per day), and 3.17 billion live in
the urban areas out of which 998 million dwell in city slums. Despite the
internationally agreed upon Millennium Development Goals in 2000, 23 million
more Latin Americans have slipped into poverty, and most African countries are
poorer today than they were in the 1970s.
Our students gain the knowledge of all-encompassing
dimensions of poverty and learn how Christian organizations build and rebuild
communities around the world to improve quality of lives, and are exposed to
the strategies employed by governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
and international agencies to deal with the issues of human suffering.
The ICD degree program at Indiana Wesleyan University combines classroom
learning, academic trips and practical experience for the understanding of our
world and prepares students for immediate entry and successful career in ICD
profession.
The ICD program is based upon some fundamental principles that:
- The world is God's creation.
- God desires justice, peace, and prosperity for all people.
- The body of Christ has a responsibility in fulfilling God's desire in
the world.
Our students are prepared to work in community development ministries right
here in the U.S. and for employments in Christian organizations such as World
Vision, World Hope, and Compassion International, along with international
agencies like USAID and the United Nations.
ICD faculty consists of highly-trained professionals with more than
fifty years of combined academic and practical experiences in the field.
Students have direct access to the faculty and are encouraged to work with them
on academic studies and research projects. We are committed to our students as
they discover their callings and develop their academic careers in the field
of ICD.
|
