Thomas Getman on Evangelicals and World Vision

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The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs
Georgetown University


As they operate in ever more diverse contexts, faith-based humanitarian organizations face important questions about their identities. As the top diplomat for World Vision, a humanitarian organization with a $2.6 billion annual budget, 40,000 employees, and an established Christian identity, Thomas Getman grappled with these questions, searching for a way of working that respected the organization's faith heritage while embracing the pluralistic contexts in which it now operates. In this event, Getman shared his personal reflections on faith-based humanitarian assistance over the last decade, and its prospects for the future. The Mortara Center for International Studies co-sponsored the event.

As World Vision's executive director for international relations, Thomas Getman managed liaison activities with the UN and the World Council of Churches and was responsible for diplomatic relations with UN government member missions in Geneva. He served until recently on the board of principals for the UN Deputy Secretary General for Emergency Relief and as chair of the premier NGO consortium International Council of Voluntary Agencies. From 1997 to 2001, Getman served as director of World Vision's programs in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip where he was responsible for $5-8 million a year in relief and development projects in Palestine and Israel and advocacy for peace with justice. Previously, Getman served for 12 years as director of government relations and special assistant to the president of World Vision United States at which time he founded WV's office in DC. Getman interpreted U.S. government policy, pressed for needed foreign assistance, and advanced human rights, relief and development concerns. Getman also served as a regional director for Young Life for nine years in New England. He serves on a number of boards including Global Priorities and Refugees International.

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• berkley center
• georgetown
• religion
• thomas getman
• evangelical
• evangelicalism
• world vision
• christianity
• mortara center