Presentation in Madrid of the Annual Report 2023, of the International Confederation of the SSVP
Under the slogan, “Your embrace renews the world”, the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul presented last November 29 in Madrid for the first time, its Annual Report 2023 with consolidated figures, highlighting the impact of its more than 2,500 social projects in 155 countries and five continents. Our institution, supported by 1.5 million volunteers and 800,000 members, allocated 1.49 billion euros in 2023 in different areas such as education, healthcare, care for the homeless and emergency response, reaching more than 30 million people every day. A global commitment to the most vulnerable.
The event, which was attended by Her Royal Highness the Infanta Elena de Borbón y Grecia, highlighted the 191 years of history of our institution and its capacity to transform lives.
Speakers at the event included International General Vice President Ralph Middelcamp, who explained our work in the Americas; Assistant General Vice President Elaine Heyworth, who spoke about our work in Europe; and International Territorial Vice President Maurice Yeung, who spoke about our programs in Asia. The Assistant Vice-President General Urbanus Kinuthia, who spoke about initiatives on the African continent, and the Territorial Delegate for Training, Patrick Wallis, who spoke about activities in Oceania, also took part.
The initiatives in education and professional training were highlighted: from the Training Center in South Sudan, which trains 400 young people every year, to scholarships for students in 32 countries in America and training workshops for women in India and Mexico. Health care, commenting on projects such as the mobile laboratory in Lebanon, which offers free analysis in remote areas, and the Ozanam Center in Hong Kong, with more than 3,000 traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Care for the homeless, mentioning the night patrols in Australia and the solidarity baths in Brazil, which provide showers, clothing and food to more than 1,000 people each month.
In terms of emergency response, SSVP plays a crucial role in responding to natural disasters and conflicts, providing food, medicine and shelter in affected countries. In addition, our organization has led reconstruction projects and provided emotional and spiritual support for victims, demonstrating its commitment in the most critical moments.
General Vice President Ralph Middelcamp, commented on the importance of our action, driven by faith, to have a global and lasting impact, transforming the lives of those who have the least, supporting initiatives and agreements of global solidarity, where together we make a difference in the lives of millions of people.
Finally, the President General commented that this Annual Report is a reflection of our commitment to accountability, although he pointed out that “what is most valuable and cannot be counted is the loving, personal and close attention we give to those in need in order to promote their integral human development, faithful to the Christian spirit of our founders”.
We thank HRH the Infanta Elena de Borbón for accompanying us, all the civil and ecclesiastical authorities who attended, as well as the benefactors, partners and friends of SSVP, who filled the capacity. We would also like to thank the Westin Cuzco Hotel for its generous contribution to this event.
