Representatives from humanitarian organisations across Oceania gathered at an event hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 4 December in Auckland to explore collaborative solutions for reducing poverty and tackling other pressing challenges in the region.
Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told attendees, “We’re driven by the two great commandments shared by Jesus, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Matthew 22:37-39).
“The Pacific needs us, collectively, to contribute. And we can contribute. We can make an enormous difference together. I hope you feel that.”
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Mena Antonio, Caritas Internationalis Vice-President and Chief Executive of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, also spoke at the event.
“We stand with communities, not over them,” she said.
“We hold that people are not problems to be solved, rather they are agents of their own future. We cannot rest because the poor cannot rest.”
Her message was one of building relationships and being prepared.
“Humanitarian aid is not just logistics and finance. It is about peace, building relationships, and trust in the belief that human dignity comes before efficiency. Like the parable of the bridesmaids (virgins) who filled their lamps [with oil] and managed to get into the banquet with the groom, we must be alert just like they were – and be prepared.”
Tony Stewart, CEO of UNICEF Australia, likewise saw the importance of collaboration and its effectiveness.
“We’re all trying to make a difference to the world, and I think what the Church has been incredibly good at is not flying solo but being able to work through other people and with other people, and they’re a wonderful partner.”
When asked what his takeaway was from the evening, Dave Latele, Founder of Buttabean Motivation, said, “It’s not what I learnt, it’s really what was confirmed about the work [the Church] is doing in our communities, and in the service of Jesus Christ, and just trying to help as many people as possible.”
