Digital Commons Network^™

What Would Vincent Study Abroad? Option For The Poor And Systemic Change For The Development Of Socially Responsible Leaders, Marco Tavanti Ph.D., Heather Evans M.S.

Marco Tavanti

The effectiveness of the DePaul University School of Public Service Chiapas Program is evaluated according to “Vincentian values of experiential learning, systemic change, and the option for the poor.” Including students’ own words, the article summarizes what participants learn as they work directly with poor persons, their leaders, indigenous organizations, local NGOs, and Mexican academic institutions in Chiapas. As Marco Tavanti and Heather Evans write, the program’s goal “is not only to increase knowledge and skills but to challenge and transform cultural attitudes, learn from context, and engage in professional collaboration and dialogues for social change.” The value of system …