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ARC Home > About ARC > FAQs

FAQs




“You can’t inspire revolution by telling people what’s wrong, what to do, facts and figures. To create a revolution you have to ‘ kindle and fan an extravagant hope’.” Eric Hoffer.



ARC's vision is of people, through their beliefs, treading more gently upon the earth.

ARC's strategy is twofold: to help faiths realise their potential to be proactive on environmental issues and to help secular groups recognise this and become active partners

ARC achieves its vision through:

1. BROKERING PARTNERSHIPS:
  • using and expanding on ARC's unique knowledge-base and skills, which allows us to interpret the languages of these two worlds, respecting them both, and enabling them to hear each other
  • creating a context in which both groups (ie faiths and secular bodies) can meet
2. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION:
  • developing the stories which illustrate and inspire this process – and communicating them primarily to, with and between the faiths
  • framing the communications strategy as an instrument of advocacy, to help fulfil ARC’s vision.
3. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS with potential for wider impact
  • continuing to develop models – in the form of specific projects - which prove to both parties that this process works.
  • creating relevant networks supporting and sustaining such models over the long term
  • building exit strategies into the original plans and proposals, so that the projects can continue with a life and motivation of their own.
  • deciding on a limited number of targets and issues, and concentrating on these, rather than being led always by funding.
4. EVENTS AND STRUCTURES
  • holding, supporting and facilitating special events which advocate ARC’s vision
  • creating and facilitate structures which further the vision

The criteria for measuring the success of a project are:

  • Did the project meet its formal objectives from both faith and secular sides?

  • Is the project able to continue without ARC's input? Or if not, then are the participants motivated to continue on their own, and with reduced financial and creative input from outside?

  • Has the project made a real difference to the lives of a community?

  • Can the project be reproduced? And over the longer term, has the project been reproduced?

  • Has the project – its success and its reasons – been communicated to, and understood by, a wider faith community?

  • Are we, personally and as a charity, proud of the results?

    Criteria for accepting a new project, or expanding an existing project

    1. STRATEGIC FIT

    · It fits with our vision statement, our targets, and our strategic priorities.

    2. IMPACT

    · It addresses a real issue, in an effective way.

    · It will make a difference to a community

    · It has potential for magnification and/or replication

    3. FEASIBILITY

    · It is deliverable, and both ARC and its faith partners are ready and capable to do it

    · ARC and the project are compatible with the NGO partner

    · It has funding

    · ARC and its trustees are happy with the source of that funding

    4. RELATIONSHIPS

    · It does not compromise our networks and trust

    · It actively improves our networks

    This Vision and Strategy paper was created in February 2006, as ARC moved into its eleventh year. It is a compilation of all the experience ARC has gained in its first ten years.


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    Related information

    ARC's Diary
    Interview with Prince Philip
    “If you believe in God, which is what Christians are supposed to do, then you should feel a responsibility to care for His Creation.” ARC's founder, the Duke of Edinburgh gives a rare interview about his beliefs in conservation.
    Projects overview
    A complete listing of all current ARC projects