NEW YORK – The first Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry sponsored by the global humanitarian and relief agency Church World Service (CWS), will be held March 27-31, at the Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey.

With the theme “Do No Harm,” the event is organized by various disaster relief ministries from Church of the Brethren, Lutheran Disaster Response, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ (UCC), and the United Methodist Church.

During the conference, CWS will facilitate discussion among experienced disaster relief ministry representatives to address various disaster relief relating topics including whether the disaster is caused naturally or by human.

Bob Arnold, CWS Emergency Response Associate Director for Capacity Building, says the Forum will provide an opportunity to reinforce disaster ministry education. "Up to this point," he points out, "there has been no disciplined venue to look at disaster management research and cutting-edge field activities towards informing the way disaster ministry is carried out. Through the Forum, we will identify resources that are needed to enhance disaster ministry."

The first day of the Forum will address disaster response research through the presentations on "Overview of Key Disaster Research and Its Significance in Disaster Ministry," and "Participatory Action Research: Making a Practical Difference For Disaster-Vulnerable Populations.." by Dennis Mileti, former director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado,

The second day will focus on a Mitigation and Preparedness Track in "Public Policy in Disaster Ministry;" "Preparing Neighborhoods for Emergencies and Disaster;" and a selection of workshops:

The third day will address a Response and Recovery Track: Community Organizing and Spiritual Care with related presentations.

The last day of the Forum will identify key faith ministry capacity issues.

For further information on the Forum, contact Bob Arnold of CWS, barnold@churchworldservice.org