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Released 9 February 2007
Chief of the Staff Urges Technology Managers to Seek Innovative Ways to Support The Salvation Army's MissionSALVATION Army technology managers from around the globe gathered in Atlanta, Georgia (USA Southern Territory), for the sixth International Technical Exchange (ITX). Commissioner William Roberts, International Secretary for Business Administration (International Headquarters), chaired the meeting of 35 delegates from 14 countries – Australia, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.The keynote speaker for the opening session was the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster, who asked the delegates to consider the risks and challenges technology brings to the Army as it expands in both traditional and non-traditional ways. She affirmed previous ITX recommendations that innovative ways be sought to use technology to support the mission of The Salvation Army and suggested that delegates consider defining this further during the conference.
Following the presentation by the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Roberts briefed the delegates regarding the status of 'The Way Forward', the financing plan for The Salvation Army internationally. He also detailed the need to be transparent and accountable in all dealings since what the Army does has been entrusted to it by God.
The remainder of the agenda was led by Mark Calleran, Information Technology Manager, IHQ. Included in the agenda were a number of demonstrations of new software applications, discussion of IT performance indicators and examples of 'best of breed' applications used throughout the Army world.
Highlights of the gathering included an enlightening 'African Perspective' by Jean Marc Mbumu from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a 'South East Asian Perspective' by Victor Benganan Jr from The Philippines. Both perspectives helped delegates understand the technology challenges faced by Salvation Army commands and territories in developing nations. Following these presentations, delegates were able to review successes in technology that have been achieved in developing nations since the last meeting of this group in 2005 as well as hear of some of the solutions that are expected to be revealed in the near future.
The meeting facilitated the exchange of ideas and technologies that will be useful to many parts of the Army world. Additionally, the delegates learned of need in other parts of the world and were urged to consider how they or their sponsoring territories/commands may be useful in finding solutions.
Commissioner Roberts closed ITX with the reminder that although all are at different places in their spiritual journey all are at some point on the journey. He quoted the last line of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer poem 'Who Am I?' that says: 'Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine!'
Report by Ron Shoults