For Father Cowley it was clear that the existential issues facing humanity were interconnected. Resources invested in war and division were resources taken away from opportunities to restore peace and equality around the world.
Forty-seven years later, although in a drastically different context, his words and vision ring true. His teachings can continue to guide us as we confront new and persistent challenges to human well-being on our planet.
Father Cowley believed many people, especially those living within the wealthy nations of the north and west, were unable to appreciate the privileged role they could be playing “in the promotion of the peaceful interests of the underprivileged”. He hoped EPIC would become a space where individuals and groups holding on to a “high sense of the dignity of the human venture and of the value of the person and the potentialities of the world community…” could work with passion to create meaningful change.
Read Father Thomas Cowley's Obituary >>
Fundación Don Sergio Méndez Arceo Foundation's Human Rights Prize, 2024
Its Latin origins suggest universality and a sense of belonging to a whole. Many of EPIC's collaborators—partners, staff, and donors alike—find that spirituality plays a central role in their commitment to service and social change.
Importantly, none of the programs supported by EPIC engage in proselytizing or imposing spiritual or religious teachings. Our initiatives do not include religious education or activities. Instead, they are grounded in the intersection of research, action, local wisdom, and kindness.
EPIC and our partners set goals in all our programs to measure our success. Sustainable development can be slow but when it is done right, poco a poco, we do see positive changes. The communities where we work need to see this change. Are the farmers seeing bigger yields? Is there more food at the table? Are health outcomes improving? Can young people remain in their communities and avoid immigrating up north? We have found that teaching sustainable agricultural practices, empowers families, increases food-security, reduces malnutrition, creates reliable income and give hope for a life at home.
The real strength of our organization lies in our local project leadership. We encourage young people to step into roles with more responsibility to continue building this valuable local capacity. We love when a young person has a great idea to improve their communities and makes a plan. Low self esteem for teens? Lack of physical education and road safety in schools? An Guatemalan aftershool program idea has grown into an exciting project that gets kids moving and is more than fun. They learn to work together, stay healthy and, most importantly, build the confidence they need to take on life.
