Manuals and policies
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Independent Abuse Review Panel (IARP) charter
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Independent Abuse Review Panel
Charter for the Independent Abuse Review Panel for allegations of past misconduct related to the staff and dependents of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Worldwide Ministries Division and its predecessor bodies
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Struck Down but not Destroyed: From Hurricane Katrina to a More Equitable Future
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
Resolution from the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.
While thousands of wonderful volunteers continue to help rebuild the Gulf Coast, reconstruction lags and diaspora continues. Recommended: ways to build on hope and end abandonment. Approved by the 218th General Assembly (2008).
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Costly Lessons of the Iraq War
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
On Building Peace in Iraq—From the Presbytery of Baltimore
What can we learn from the invasion and occupation, and what responsibilities do we have? Approved by the 218th General Assembly (2008).
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We Won't Let It Happen Here! Preventing Child Abuse in the Church
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Child Advocacy
By Lois Rifner, Ph.D., and Susan Keil Smith, M.A., with assistance from the Child Advocacy Office.
A training model for all who work with children in the church to assist them in becoming aware of child abuse, in exploring how Christian faith provides support for keeping children safe, learning about prevention, and in learning to respond effectively when child abuse occurs.
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God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
Committee on Religious Liberty and Church/State Relations. 200th General Assembly 1988 Policy Statement and recommendation regarding religious liberty.
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Building Community Among Strangers: A Report on Racism, Social Class Divisions, Sex-based Injustices, and Religious Intolerance and Conflict
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
The policy statement, approved by the 211th General Assembly (1999), presents a theological understanding for the challenges presented by building community in a country increasingly filled with strangers. Facing the challenges that diversity and pluralism offer for both the nation and the church, it acknowledges that we are all indeed strangers who have something to offer each other and that we are challenged to affirm each other even when we do not understand each other.
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Resolution on the International Criminal Court
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
This resolution adopted by the 211th General Assembly (1999) affirms the need for international judicial mechanisms for the administration of justice capable of addressing major categories of crime with consistent application for all countries. It calls upon all governments to be diligent in the conduct of affairs, preventing those acts that might constitute offenses of international character as defined by law, holding their own citizens accountable.
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Resolution on the Middle East
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
This report, adopted by the 209th General Assembly, provides a remarkable understanding of peacemaking and justice issues in the Middle East.
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Resolution on Restorative Justice
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
This resolution affirms the continued use of restorative justice as the guiding metaphor for the work, program and ministry of the church engaged with the criminal "justice" system. If offers a simple definition of restorative justice as "addressing the hurts and the needs of the victim, the offender, and the community in such a way that all — victim, offender and community — might be healed."
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International YAV handbook
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Young Adult Volunteers
The international handbook for young adult volunteers.