The Create Conference is community and business working together towards a flourishing world. This is an opportunity for you to bring your knowledge and skills and be part of designing innovative approaches to community development and the financing of work that is truly transformational for local communities around the world.
The physical conference is part of an ongoing process co-designed by
The Centre for Building Better Community, The Informal Settlements and Cities Consortium and The Business Coalition of the World Evangelical Alliance will be running a series of webinars in the lead up to the conference. They will highlight many of the topics we will discuss including the nature of the problem and possible strength-based solutions; the positives and negatives that business play; a theology of giving and financing; and coming soon a focus on God’s vision for our world, this wonderful word Shalom.
Create an ongoing process that allows the development of solid life giving relationships between community development practitioners and funders
Bring strength-based community development and business together to create a flourishing future globally
Model approaches to investment that empowers and benefits the whole of community
Advocate for a holistic approach to development that includes economics but doesn't centre on it
Andre is an international speaker, facilitator and practitioner in community development.
More About MeAndre is an international speaker, facilitator and practitioner in community development. He is a practical theologian, co-founder and Managing Director of the Centre for Building Better Community and Co-Director of the International Council of Faiths for Urbanism. He has extensive experience working alongside local governments, schools, faith groups and the not for profit sector. Andre’s first book, Building Communities of the Kingdom, explores community development from a Christian perspective. He holds a Masters’ Degree from the University of Divinity and his PhD work focuses on the concept of Shalom as a model for flourishing communities. Andre brings expertise in uncovering the strengths and assets of a community and delights in up-ending traditional needs-based approaches which are well-meaning but inevitably flawed.
ClosePsychologist, Master in Social Innovation and NLP. Coordinator of social projects in different community development organizations as Pablo Besson Association.
More About Me"Psychologist, Master in Social Innovation and NLP. Coordinator of social projects in different community development organizations as Pablo Besson Association. Extensive experience in clinical and social intervention, focusing on gender and Human Rights. Experience implementing projects related to social prevention and comprehensive care in Latin American countries. Promoter of the creation of powerful spaces for network transformation, which support practical and sustained actions in vulnerable communities with different tools that respond to the needs of the communities. "
CloseWorking as Regional Director for Asia with World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) IT Commission
More About Me"Working as Regional Director for Asia with World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) IT Commission, Sharoon Sarfraz is responsible to serve the IT Needs of more than 20 National Alliances in Asia. He is directly dealing with the National Alliance leaders, WEA Regional and Global Leadership. In this Role, he has taken the lead to ensure the extensive use of technology to reach the unreached, ensuring coordination and collaboration with other networks for the formation of fellowship of Technical professionals to glorify His name. He is also serving on the Board of Lausanne Movement Technology Advisory Group, Board of AFCI International in Pakistan and Evangelical Alliance of Pakistan. "
CloseTimo Plutschinski, an evangelical theologian, is Director of the World Evangelical Alliance´s Business Coalition and member of the Wider WEA Leadership.
More About MeTimo Plutschinski, an evangelical theologian, is Director of the World Evangelical Alliance´s Business Coalition and member of the Wider WEA Leadership. He furthermore serves as Pastor of a Baptist Church in Hamburg and as a fellow at the Olivet Institute for Global Strategic Studies. Thirdly he is partner of MIC Corporate Finances which provides, inter alia, a global M&A platform. Timo lives with his wife and their two daughters in Hamburg, Germany and has published 2 books in German language about “Faith in Daily Business Life"" and “Political Responsibility of Christians”
CloseEmily J Choge Kerama (Ph.D, Fuller) in Christian Ethics, an Associate Professor at Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, a theologian, a researcher and a motivational international speaker.
More About MeEmily J Choge Kerama (Ph.D, Fuller) in Christian Ethics, an Associate Professor at Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, a theologian, a researcher and a motivational international speaker. Chair PostGraduate Committee, representative in Extension and Outreach Programs of the University. Is involved in Uasin Gishu Children’s FORUM, an organization that works with vulnerable children in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. A founder Member African Christian Initiation Program (ACIP) helping young people to transition from childhood to adulthood without falling into ravages of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. Member of the Uasin Gishu County Education Board representing the interests of vulnerable children. Married to Isaya Kerama and member of Alasiri, SDA church, Eldoret. Has physical disability on her left leg, using prosthesis to move around fairly well and has served as chair of the Bethany Kids Advisory board, an organization that provides surgical procedures for children with physical disabilities. Patron of Moi University Disability Club.
Close1. Stating the problemNov 14, 2021
2. How can business have got it so right and so wrongJan 26, 2022
3. Whose world is it?18 March 2022
Development and finance in the majority of the world need to be re-thought. Communities are full of people with amazing gifts, skills, abilities, and perspectives, yet believe they are poor. Old models of funders providing finances for wells, schools, other infrastructure, and a plethora of development stimuli, have often left these communities dependent and disempowered.
These four themes explore different aspects of this conversation and provide an opportunity for you to engage with our thinking in the lead up to the Create Conference 2024 in Kethmandu, Nepal . Each podcast has some input from people directly affected by the theme and will be discussed in further detail at the conference.
You are invited to explore each topic and begin to formulate your thoughts and contributions to the whole conversation of community development, business and the creation of a flourishing world.