Joining Hands is a program that introduces a new strategy for a holistic international hunger ministry. It implements on the international scene the five components of the mandate of the Presbyterian Hunger Program as established in the Common Affirmation on World Hunger: Relief of chronic hunger, development assistance, public policy advocacy, lifestyle integrity and hunger education. It also considers that spiritual wholeness is necessary for a sustainable community as indicated in Hope for a Global Future and adds this dimension to the five programmatic areas mentioned above.

Joining Hands proposes an approach to international hunger ministry: To build bridges of solidarity between PC(USA) congregations and their respective presbyteries with overseas country networks (formed by churches, non-governmental organizations and grassroots groups) involved in coordinated hunger ministry

in specific communities. The relationship thus established is one of mutual accompaniment and mutual transformation in the journey towards restoring the wholeness of God's creation by contributing to the building of a more just world.

A three-way relationship is established with the Presbyterian Hunger Program — Louisville, the participating presbytery and the country network in the process of defining the scope and nature of activities to be undertaken together. The relationship is not primarily focused on project funding but essentially on simultaneous campaigns of learning about root causes of hunger, analysis, training, organizing, advocacy, spiritual enhancement, alternative economic activities and emergency disaster preparedness.

Additional relationships are being contemplated in Indonesia and the Philippines in the near future. The program is evaluated on an ongoing basis for corrections and adjustments. It is coordinated at the level of participating presbyteries by Hunger Action Enablers (HAEs) and presbytery contact persons and in participating countries by companionship facilitators who are PC(USA) mission personnel residing in or near the countries where the program is being implemented.

The overall activities and implementation of the program are coordinated by the Presbyterian Hunger Program international staff. It also collaborates closely with and receives support from various other programs in Worldwide Ministries Division, such as the area coordinators, Mission Personnel offices and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Funding of activities in the presbyteries and countries involved in Joining Hands is carried out by the Presbyterian Hunger Program with One Great Hour of Sharing funds complemented by specific designated gifts from participating congregations and presbyteries.