In the 1967 encyclical Populorum Progressio, Pope Paul VI introduced the concept of Integral Human Development: “Development cannot be limited to mere economic growth alone. In order to be authentic, it must be complete: integral, that is, it has to promote the good of every person and of the whole person”.1 IHD as a concept helps us to understand the multi-dimensional nature of human development to look beyond the bounds of ‘sectors’, to address structural inequalities and see individuals facing extreme poverty in the context of family and community. It also places human development in the wider global context of economic inequalities. Pope Francis helps us to understand IHD as addressing economic inequalities and measuring our outcomes not in terms of aggregate figures but how they improve life opportunities, dignity and solidarity for everyone. Most importantly, IHD is the moral foundation across all of our work as we strive to serve people vulnerable to extreme poverty and marginalisation.

“Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to the poor and the outcast, is the basis of our concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members… [This] means working to eliminate the structural causes of poverty and to promote the integral development of the poor, as well as small daily acts of solidarity in meeting the real needs which we encounter.”
- Pope Francis

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is an international Catholic lay organization founded by Frederick Ozanam in 1833 to promote Spirituality amongst its members. The fruits of their spirituality are seen by their promotion of human dignity and welfare through their service-oriented works,namely, their works of mercy and charity. The SVP home was inaugurated to give underprivileged children tender, loving care and shelter.

Overview

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP)