MCC Low German Program advisory committee meets for the first time

Delegates to the Mennonite Central Committee Low German Program advisory committee met here June 3–6 to discuss their role in shaping programs. The meeting was the first for the committee, created in response to changes suggested in the 2003 hemispheric vision developed by MCC to promote the interests of Low German Mennonites (LGM) throughout the Americas.

“These kinds of meetings will provide our local partners with direct access to the decisions and programs that affect them,” said LGM program coordinator Mary Friesen.

The committee is comprised of a variety of delegates including representation from Mexico (2), Bolivia (2), Texas (1), Ontario (1), Alberta (1), Manitoba (1), Die Mennonitische Post (2) and MCC Canada (2).

Over the years, MCC has developed several programs at the request of the Low German community, including the German-language newspaper Die Mennonistische Post. In some areas, MCC facilities Canadian citizenship documentation. MCC also supplies staff and some funds to a rehabilitation centre in Mexico.

The next meeting will take place in March 2005 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

—Jonathan Tiessen, MCC Canada Communications