The Marketplace Magazine January/February 2015

January February 2015

Where Christian faith gets down to business

MEDA convention 2014:

The many faces of human rights

Plus:

Why college may be the best investment you’ll ever make 1

The Marketplace January February 2015

Roadside stand

”Thank you for my job” You may remember our cover feature (Sept/Oct 2013) on Kevin Dorsing (pictured), CEO of Royal Ridge Fruits in Washington state. Dorsing, who also serves on MEDA’s board of directors, presides over the nation’s leading producer of frozen Montmorency tart cherries, as well as apples, blueberries and other fruits for the fresh and dried market. Turns out our sharp reportorial eye wasn’t the only one focused on the Dorsing family enterprises. The popular television show Food Factory also discovered them, and brought their camera crew to Washington’s Columbia Basin to film their operation for network use.

The U.S. show ran its episode on the Dorsings in early November, but viewers can explore the Food Factory website to access the episode. The Canadian Food Factory show will air the episode on Feb. 7. Titled “Muffin But The Best,” the show features two other companies in addition to Royal Ridge. The blurb for the episode says, “At the family-run Smarties factory, 30,000 candies are made per minute; an amazing 1.6 million boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix are produced daily; and, it takes a river of fruit to produce 10 million tart dried cherries every year.” Check your local listings and see one of your fellow MEDA folk in action.

& W shares would plunge for a while after the massacre, but would then rebound as lawmakers ignored calls for stricter gun controls. He unapologetically considers guns, gambling, tobacco and liquor as the “fourlegged stool” of his fund. “It doesn’t sound like a great investing strategy, but the four sectors work so well together,” he says.

companies and focus on firms with good records of environmental performance, social responsibility and corporate governance. Little did we know that the exact opposite also exists — investment strategies that deliberately seek out the nasties. Entrepreneur magazine recently reported on a “sin fund” that makes a point of investing in alcohol, tobacco, gambling and weapons. The operator of the fund claims to have pounced on Smith & Wesson gun shares when a deranged killer shot 26 people at a Connecticut elementary school. His reasoning was that S

Cold-blooded? We have all heard about (and this magazine has promoted) so-called “ethical investments” that screen out unsavory

Steve Sugrim’s arresting cover photo shows MEDA convention keynote speaker Ziauddin Yousafzai visiting the exhibit featuring his daughter Malala at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.

The Marketplace January February 2015

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An educator recently reported to his congregation that he had moved from a thriving Mennonite high school to a struggling inner-city campus where poverty reigns. He described his journey of learning to identify with young people whose daily reality included family instability, a drunk parent, frequent moves, lack of food in the house, exposure to violence and gang pressures. One day the school planned a “takeyour-kid-to-work day,” which had worked well at his previous school in suburbia. One student commented, “None of our parents are working.

Can we just stay home on that day?”

We interrupt this column to ... tell you that interruptions increase the chance of making mistakes. According to studies at Michigan State University and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, an interruption of only 2.8 seconds (like a blinking notice in the corner of your computer screen) can double the risk of error.

Lengthen the interruption to 4.4 seconds and the likelihood of error triples. The malady of distraction is not likely to let up soon, since studies show the average businessperson receives and sends 109 e-mails a day, not counting instant messages and texts. (Entrepreneur magazine) — WK

In this issue

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Many faces of human rights

What do human rights have to do with Christian faith and a company’s bottom line? Keynoters Arthur DeFehr and Stephanie Stobbe provided MEDA’s 2014 convention with some answers.

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In Winnipeg: MEDA and human rights. Pages 6-17

Roadside stand Soul enterprise Faith@work News

Volume 45, Issue 1 January February 2015 The Marketplace (ISSN 0199-7130) is published bi-monthly by Mennonite Economic Development Associates at 532 North Oliver Road, Newton, KS 67114. Periodicals postage paid at Newton, KS 67114. Lithographed in U.S.A. Copyright 2014 by MEDA. Editor: Wally Kroeker Design: Ray Dirks

Change of address should be sent to Mennonite Economic Development Associates, 1891 Santa Barbara Dr., Ste. 201, Lancaster, PA 17601-4106.

One of the world’s most famous fathers – parent of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai — shared with the MEDA audience his secret of genuine entrepreneurship. By John Longhurst

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Be a voice for others

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MEDA’s state of the union

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Why college pays off

Departments 2 4 21 23

Train up a girl

One moment she was a reporter on assignment, the next she was a prisoner. Journalist Laura Ling shared her harrowing story of 140 days of captivity in North Korea. By John Longhurst

The convention’s annual general meeting declared 2014 a stellar year in program and performance, but as in all economic development there were inevitable bumps along the way.

Young people may think college is too expensive, takes too long, and leaves them saddled with debt. Here’s proof the ROI is worth it all, both in money and in life. By D. Merrill Ewert

To e-mail an address change, subscription request or anything else relating to delivery of the magazine, please contact subscription@meda.org For editorial matters contact the editor at wkroeker@meda.org or call (204) 956-6436 Subscriptions: $25/year; $45/two years.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Marketplace 1891 Santa Barbara Dr., Ste. 201 Lancaster, PA 17601-4106

Published by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), whose dual thrust is to encourage a Christian witness in business and to operate business-oriented programs of assistance to the poor. For more information about MEDA call 1-800-665-7026.

Web site www.meda.org

Visit our new online home at www.marketplacemagazine.org, where you can download past issues, read articles and discuss topics with others, all from your desktop or mobile device.

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The Marketplace January February 2015

Sparks in the workplace Believe it or not, a lot of romance starts on the job.

Some marital counselors estimate that 90 percent of sexual affairs begin at work.

We may not of the office or plant as especially romantic, but during the work week many people spend more waking hours with their co-workers than with their family. You may find yourself attracted, on occasion. If you’re single, fine. If you’re already married, that’s another story.

The business environment can be especially conducive to temptations, says Lois Mowday, author of The Snare.

“The office atmosphere is charged with factors that heighten emotional response: energy, motion, excitement, stress, competition, weariness. People in similar situations under similar pressures are drawn together for reinforcement. If unprepared, adulterous relationships can develop rapidly as a result,” she says.

You may find yourself working together with spirited, gifted people who are attractive to you. You may work closely on tasks that require teamwork, creative energy, deadlines, overtime, maybe even some travel together. It’s important to be alert to what might be happening. Here are a few things to watch for.

• Don’t think others won’t notice. They will, no matter how discreet you think you’re being. There’s a light that goes on over your head that flashes, “We’re an item.”

• Be warned against going for lunch together, just the two of you. Be especially wary if you have to travel together.

• Working late on a project together, with adrenalin and creative juices flowing, can be a recipe for behavior you may regret later.

• Don’t ever — repeat, ever — share information about your own marital struggles.

• As a general rule, don’t meet in total privacy with anyone of the opposite sex without keeping the door open.

• Don’t touch co-workers, even as a joke. That can lead to all kinds of heartaches, like lawsuits.

• Don’t think, even for a minute, that these cautions don’t apply if you work for a Christian organization or company. They do.

What you make possible Mike Wittmer’s laptop had slowed to a crawl. Every keystroke produced a two-second delay; every mouse click generated a multi-colored spinning wheel. In frustration he clicked various tabs, but that just froze his computer entirely.

Wittmer took his laptop to the Help Desk. “It didn’t go well,” he writes in The High Calling. The tech on call, his friend Jordan, couldn’t get the right screens to accept Wittmer’s password even after 15 tries. Meanwhile Jordan was being besieged by other callers needing help.

Even though everyone seemed frazzled, it wasn’t a complete disaster, writes Wittmer, who teaches at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and is the author of Heaven Is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God. “Jordan’s night seemed like a failure until you see the big picture. Jordan understands that his job is part of God’s larger story of creation, fall, and redemption.”

Like all of us, says Wittmer, God made Jordan in his image to steward this world on his behalf (Gen. 1:28).

Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden “to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). “He wanted them to make something of the world, weaving the raw materials of nature into a flourishing human culture that would extend to the ends of the earth,” Wittmer writes. “Jordan’s job contributes to this larger endeavor. His behindthe-scenes role supports the technology that enables others to make something of the world.

“Jordan didn’t quote a Bible verse or lay hands on my laptop. But his response was thoroughly Christian. He never lost his composure through the entire ordeal. He exuded patience, the fruit of the Spirit that takes the longest to ripen....

“What task has God called you to do? It might be menial, and it might be hard. Maybe you’re having a rough shift right now. If so, God has given you a golden opportunity. Can you describe what your job makes possible?

How do you enable others to make something of the world? Answer these questions, and you will find God’s purpose in your job.”

Excerpted from You’re Hired! Looking for work in all the right places, a career guide from MEDA. Available for free download at www.meda.org The Marketplace January February 2015

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Leveraging capital for good Many people return from a short-term missions trip with a revived sense of purpose. Wes Selke went a step further. He quit his job in finance and went to business school. He began to apply his skill at analyzing companies, creating spreadsheets and evaluating profitable opportunities for an investment bank to helping social entrepreneurs, the folks who create organizations in order to benefit society.

Selke, now 36, believes every sphere of society, including business and free markets, can advance God’s work of shalom.

In 2010, Selke co-founded Hub Ventures, an accelerator in San Francisco investing in entrepreneurs launching companies that produce a social good. The 12-week program provides seed funding, mentorship, workshops and access to investors in exchange for an average of a six percent ownership stake. What separates Selke’s program from other business accelerators in Silicon Valley is the focus on “entrepreneurs building technology solutions for a better world.”

For example, Hub Ventures helped find and invest in MobileWorks, a startup that allows low-skilled workers in the developing world to join the outsourcing economy. Ten thousand people in more than 60 countries use it to earn money doing simple tasks on a computer such as labeling data.

Another example is Better World Books, which collects and resells used books, many from college campuses. Ten percent of every book sale is donated to global literacy programs. It has reused or recycled 100 million books and raised $14 million for global literacy and local libraries.

These companies use tested entrepreneurial principles and innovation to address global issues ranging from poverty to environmental sustainability. Unlike traditional business entrepreneurs, says Selke, their social mission is “fully baked into the products and services that company is selling.” This means the startup’s social impact can continue even if it is sold to a larger corporation or goes public.

Selke views his investment work as a form of worship — a way to use capital to achieve human flourishing, and to fuse his talents in finance with his faith in God. “Our culture tends to become slaves to the market and greed, when in reality the market should be our servant in attaining the best allocation of goods and services,” he says.

Selke keeps asking the question: “How can I deploy the skills from corporate finance to shape culture in a way that loves the things that God loves, seeking his purpose, vision and heart for restoration?”

Like other “impact investors,” Selke takes a holistic view of profits, people and the planet. “Christians thinking about ways to leverage their resources are called to make sure their capital is doing good,” he says.

— Josh Kwan in Christianity Today’s “When it comes This Is Our City website

Overheard:

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time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die.”

— Martyred missionary Jim Elliot

The Marketplace January February 2015

MEDA convention 2014

The many faces of human rights

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“What can you and I do to make this world the place God

Photo by Steve Sugrim

t was one of the more poignant leader, made a “Business case for moments of the annual MEDA human rights,” aided by Stephanie intended it to be?” convention. Keynote speaker Stobbe, who came to Canada as a Ziauddin Yousafzai took time refugee from Laos when she was a to tour the Canadian Museum for and immigration issues. child and now teaches conflict resoHuman Rights and visit the exhibit In their joint presentation Delution at Menno Simons College at featuring his daughter Malala, recent the University of Winnipeg. DeFehr Fehr and Stobbe raised provocative Nobel Peace Prize laureate. MEDA questions: Should Christians support, is CEO of Palliser Furniture, which photographer Steve Sugrim (cover employs over 2,000 people in Canada endorse and practice human rights? photo) caught the image of the father and Mexico, and has founded variAre human rights important for reflecting emotionally on the drama the financial success of a business? ous educational and humanitarian of his activist daughter who survived organizations. He served as United When these questions were posed to being shot in the face by extremists the audience, most agreed with the Nations high commissioner for refufor protesting the Taliban’s limitation gees in Somalia and helped organize first; fewer with the second. of education for Pakistani girls.

DeFehr noted that human rights the emergency “unofficial” cross-borBoth the speech by the father, discussions get complicated when der Landbridge program to provide and the virtual presence of the it comes to issues like oppressive supplies to Cambodia at the end of daughter, were fitting features of the the Khmer Rouge period. He spearconditions for Asian garment workNov. 6-9 convention, devoted to the ers who produce cut-rate products headed links between church-related topic of “Human dignity through for North American consumers. entrepreneurs in the former Soviet entrepreneurship.” A hallmark of Where did the chain of responsibility Union and the west, and remains MEDA’s programming in numerous lead? Since consumers typically shop active in food security, development countries has been the educafor the lowest price, the tion and empowerment of climate for oppressive lowwomen as vital to effective cost conditions can thrive. family development. ZiaudRetailers shop the world for din Yousafzai is currently the the lowest-priced goods.

United Nations Special AdviThere was huge pressure on sor on Global Education and suppliers to deliver the lowalso the educational attache est price possible, and this of Pakistan in its consulate pressure was often passed in Birmingham, England. on to governments, through The convention’s locabribes, to overlook poor tion — Winnipeg, a MEDA working conditions, safety/ heartland — fit the theme pollution concerns and even well. It is the site of the new child labor. human rights museum, the The result, said DeFehr only one like it in the world, was “pretty predictable — a which opened this fall a recipe for disaster.” If all short distance down the road these factors went into a net from the convention hotel violation of human rights, and served as a convention who was ultimately responvenue. sible, asked Stobbe.

Opening keynote speaker Keynote speaker Ziauddin Yousafzai views an exhibit of “It seems unfair to put Arthur DeFehr, veteran busi- his daughter Malala at the Canadian Museum for Huall of the blame on the facnessman and humanitarian tory owner at the end of the man Rights.

The Marketplace January February 2015

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Photo by Steve Sugrim

Art DeFehr: “Do human rights make a difference to a company’s bottom line?”

Photo by Steve Sugrim

line,” said DeFehr. “There seems to be plenty of blame to go around.”

He quipped that over coffee later on audience members might check the labels on their friends’ clothing.

Stobbe and DeFehr went through many of the articles of the United Nations Human Rights declaration and mused whether they had applicability to western business views of minimum wages and union activity.

“As businesspeople, as Christians, can we pick and choose which clauses we like and which we do not?” DeFehr asked.

There seemed to be a connection between countries’ ranking on an index of global transparency and prosperity. Those with “cleaner” governments did better on a number of indicators, such as GDP. “Success in business requires an atmosphere of trust,” DeFehr noted.

Even well-intended companies can outsource to countries and companies with poor records, DeFehr said. Corrupt companies and governments will often find a way to benefit, but in general, “good and transparent governments and rules of law seem to be an inherent feature of the wealthy and more stable countries.” The message was that, at least in a general way, human rights sensitivity is good for business.

How did the 30 articles in the Declaration connect to the Bible, especially the Anabaptist interpretation of it? Stobbe suggested a missing item could have been the “right not to kill,” or conscientious objection.

DeFehr agreed that certain Anabaptist tenets “did not make the list.”

He noted that the teachings of Jesus related less to personal rights than to our obligations to others.

Christians might want to add their own clauses to the Declaration. “How about adding the Golden Rule,” Stobbe suggested.

Stephanie Stobbe: “How about adding the Golden Rule to the UN Declaration of Human Rights.”

DeFehr said his furniture company, where some 40 languages can be heard, has become known for welcoming refugees, partly because of his family’s own early experience as immigrants. He said the company still focuses on refugees, offers English and cultural classes and writes its safety rules in 12 languages.

Palliser believes this is good for the immigrants as it gives them a welcoming first work experience, but it also “gives us a loyal and productive

See for yourself To watch full videos of the plenary speeches go to http://www.meda.org/past-conventions/convention-2014-videos

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work force,” another business benefit of observing human rights.

Stobbe encouraged people to educate themselves on human rights issues from a wider perspective, such as not listening only to Fox News but adding BBC. DeFehr urged attention to issues close to home. For example, he said, the issue of immigration touched every person in the room.

“When you walk the streets of your own community, look around you to see if everyone feels equally positive about their experience of human rights,” he said. “Then read the paper or watch a responsible newscast and ask what you and I can do to make this world the place God intended it to be.”

The next morning’s breakfast was devoted to audience questions for DeFehr, moderated by Eric Stutzman, director of the Achieve Training Centre in Winnipeg.

One questioner probed about the human rights implications of outsourcing to offshore suppliers.

DeFehr said his company knows the suppliers it works with and he personally challenges the owners of those companies on human rights issues like wages, “but in the end there are limits to what we can do.”

What “human rights grade” would he give Mennonite business owners? DeFehr said in his experience Mennonite business owners enjoy a good reputation. He would rate them “somewhat more responsible than average” based on criteria such as treatment of employees and the integrity of their operations, products and safety performance.

Elsewhere in the convention, more than 30 seminars on business, faith and ethics covered topics such as Your first job after college; First Nations people and mainstream businesses; Garment ethics: When cheap is costly; When to sell the family firm; Stories from young entrepreneurs; and Work/family balance: Will your kids love your job?

The 2015 MEDA convention will be held Nov. 5-8 in Richmond, Virginia. ◆ The Marketplace January February 2015

MEDA convention 2014

Train up a girl One of the world’s most famous fathers shares a secret of entrepreneurship

by John Longhurst

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n “entrepreneur for a cause.”

That’s how Ziauddin Yousafzai views his work as an advocate for children in the developing world to be able to go to school.

Yousafzai — better known as the father of Malala, the young girl (and Nobel Prize laureate) shot by the Taliban for going to school — was the Nov. 7 keynote speaker at MEDA’s convention. His topic: “Creating Human Dignity for Children and Women: Education and Economic Empowerment.”

Referencing the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights, where the plenary was held, Yousafzai, 45, said that one of the greatest affronts to human dignity is being denied the right to get an education.

Helping overcome this violation of human dignity — especially for girls — requires entrepreneurs, such as a young woman he knows back in his home country of Pakistan.

Although she has a disability, and is a member of a poor and marginalized group in that country, she didn’t let that stop her from starting a school when children in her community were denied a chance become educated.

“She is an entrepreneur for education,” said Yousafzai of how she began teaching a few children in her home but now has 229 students, 104 of them girls.

“She teaches children to walk on their own feet,” he said, noting that she used a “different kind of capital” to start her school — her imagination, resilience, perseverance and The Marketplace January February 2015

Ziauddin Yousafzai: Saying that girls can’t go to school “is a misinterpretation of the Koran.”

hard work.

Yousafzai’s own entrepreneurial journey began in 1994 as an unemployed university graduate. He had a great passion to be a teacher, but no teaching jobs were available. So he decided to start his own school.

Today that school has grown from a few children to over 1,000 students and over 60 employees.

“I am an entrepreneur for a cause,” he said, adding that a real entrepreneur “has a love for his or her community,” a desire to see “the growth of your people.”

A Muslim, he cited the words of the Prophet Mohammed as inspiration for his work: “The best among you is the one who benefits others.”

This orientation, he said, “is 8

important. Our intentions determine our actions.”

For Yousafzai, it isn’t right if an entrepreneur is “getting richer every day while the community is getting poorer.” If that happens, “we should be doubtful about his entrepreneurship.”

Although his school has provided him and his family with a good living, he said he is “not doing it to make money.” His goal is to see more children get an education, since he believes that if more people are educated “we will have more peace, love and honor” in the world. As for his school, he sees it as a “platform for change.” And one of the changes he is most interested in creating is seeing more girls go to school.

About 57 million children can’t go to school today, he said, noting that some don’t go because of war in places like Syria or South Sudan.

But many others can’t go because of their gender — they are girls. Many of them, he said, live in traditional patriarchal societies which have long-held customs about the role of women in society.

Yousafzai grew up in that kind of society in Pakistan. As a young boy with five sisters, he could go to school, but they couldn’t. When he started his school, he decided from the start that girls were welcome to attend.

There were many critics, including what he calls “unwise clergy” who used the Koran, Islam’s holy scriptures, to bolster belief against educating girls.

“They are wrong,” he said, citing verses and the example of the Prophet Mohammed himself. “There

Real entrepreneurs love their community and want to see their people grow is no obstacle or hindrance to women in Islam.”

Saying that girls can’t go to school “is a misinterpretation of the

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Holy Koran, and the Holy Prophet,” he added.

He admitted that changing hearts and minds isn’t easy. “It is difficult to convince fathers to send their daughters to school,” he said of men in traditional patriarchal societies, like his own home area in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.

“It’s hard for them to unlearn things from many generations. But we can educate the boys today who will be the fathers of tomorrow to be fair and just towards women.”

But the end goal is worth the hard work, and perhaps even the danger that has faced his family.

Without education, “no development is possible, socially, political, or economic,” he stated. “Education is key to all development.” ◆ John Longhurst has been involved in communications for over 30 years and currently directs communications and marketing for Canadian Foodgrains Bank in Winnipeg.

The Marketplace January February 2015

MEDA convention 2014

Be a voice for others An insider’s view of 140 days of captivity

by John Longhurst

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Photo by Steve Sugrim

ever underestimate the prisoner in one of the most secretive illegally and sentenced to 12 years power of a small gesture. It countries in the world,” she said. “It hard labor with — in the words of could have a huge impact was the most terrifying time of my the presiding judge — “no forgive— like getting someone life.” ness, no appeal.” released from a North Korean prison.

During early days of their captivShe was devastated, thinking her That was one of the points made ity, the two women were taken from fate was sealed and her life was over.

by Laura Ling, an American journalone army base to another. Held in She considered suicide. ist taken captive by that secretive tiny separate jail cells, they were acBack in America, her sister, her and pariah state in 2009. cused of being spies and interrogated husband and many others were Ling spoke at the Nov. 8 evening day after day. working hard for their release. They plenary on the topic “Journey of “I never felt more scared, had, she said, an “unrelenting will to Hope.” confused and alone,” she said. “I bring us home.”

Ling, who was born in The U.S. government California, recounted how also interceded on their she and her news crew from behalf. And that’s where a Current TV were on the small gesture — and former Chinese-North Korea border, President Bill Clinton — reporting about the plight of come in.

North Korean defectors who As it turned out, Clinsuccessfully escaped brutal ton was the only person conditions in that country. the North Koreans wanted For female defectors, to talk to about the captive things often get worse.

American journalists. And Instead of finding safety in the reason for that goes China, many are trafficked back to when the country’s into horrible situations such first leader, Kim II-sung, as prostitution or forced died in 1994. marriages.

Clinton was the first Like many other westworld leader to call his son “One moment I was a reporter on assignment,” Laura ern journalists in foreign and successor, Kim JongLing told the MEDA audience, “the next moment I was countries, Ling’s crew hired il (the late father of North prisoner in one of the most secretive countries in the a local guide — a “fixer” — Korea’s current president), world.” to help them with the story. to offer condolences on the The guide invited them to passing of his father — bethought I would be executed.” follow him to the North Korean side fore even allies of the North Korea Every now and then, she said, of the river – which they did. They leader called. her captors let their guard down. were there for only a minute or so Because of that gesture, Jong-il “I felt better after some more before they left. wanted to meet Clinton. The probnormal human contact,” she said, Partway back, North Korean lem of what to do with the captured adding that some of the guards prisoldiers began to chase them. Ling journalists provided an opportunity. vately and quietly expressed sympaand fellow journalist Euna Lee were During Clinton’s visit to North Korea, thy. One told her: “Laura — always captured and dragged back to North Ling and Lee were pardoned and have hope.”

Korea. released, 140 days after their arrests.

Ling and Lee were tried and “One moment I was a reporter on Looking back on her captivity, convicted for entering North Korea assignment, the next moment I was Ling said she had “lots of time to The Marketplace January February 2015

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reflect on my life.” She felt she had done the right thing in following her passion to be a journalist, but also had some regrets — like not spending enough time with her family.

“We all live these busy, stressful lives, but one day we will wish we had spent more time with them,” she said.

What else did the experience teach her? “We have to hold on to hope,” she said. “It will lead us to brighter days.”

In captivity, Ling tried to focus on the little things for which she was

A sympathetic guard told her quietly, “Laura, always have hope.” grateful. This included seeing a butterfly outside her window, when she got three meals in a day, or when her interrogator was kind.

“It helped me get through to the

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next day, and doing the same thing today helps me now,” she shared.

Of Clinton’s interceding on their behalf, she was reminded that “even the smallest action can have an impact.”

Finally, she said, being prisoner gave her a mission to tell North Americans to “cherish the freedoms you have, and be a voice for those who need one.” ◆ John Longhurst has been involved in communications for over 30 years and currently directs communications and marketing for Canadian Foodgrains Bank in Winnipeg.

The Marketplace January February 2015

MEDA’s state of the union:

Stellar ... with a few bumps

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he annual general meeting total MEDA budget from just 12 years invested.

(AGM) is typically a conago.” This money had been leverSauder then turned to MEDA’s vention centerpiece — not aged, through grants and contracts, pioneering work in frontier investmerely for obligatory reports into $42 million of program activity. ments. During FY 2014 MEDA had but also to dazzle members and MEDA had ended the year with a been able to invest its $21 million supporters with achievements of the surplus of $900,000.

Sarona Risk Capital Fund assets into past year.

“A second set of targets that companies and funds with total asSolid financial performance we work toward are those that give sets under management of $410 milmakes that dazzle easier to produce, some indication of the reach of our lion, up 21 percent from 2013. “These and on Nov. 8 president Allan Sauder work,” Sauder said. “In my humble are investments where we also play a was again able to report that the past opinion, MEDA’s reach continues to governance role, thanks in large part year had been financially stellar and be impressive, relative to our size. to board directors and other volunhighly productive, despite counterThis year, working through 248 partteers who assist us by bringing their point setbacks that inevitably attend ners in 62 countries, we helped over business expertise to bear with our various partners,” he said. global development work.

46 million families realize healthier, “Our partner, Sarona Asset “Fiscal year 2014 was another more economically sustainable lives. very successful one for MEDA,” This number includes over 44 million Management (SAM) continued to Sauder said. customers served by microfinance work hard at its mandate of creating a viable global impact investment He reiterated MEDA’s vision — institutions and small and medium industry, in addition to effectively “That all people may experience enterprises where MEDA has an managing the investments in MEDA’s God’s love and unleash their poteninvestment through one of the Satial to earn a livelihood.” rona funds, 2.3 million families who Sarona Risk Capital Fund. The newly “What,” he asked, “could be received mosquito nets in Tanzalaunched Sarona Frontier Markets more exciting than that?” nia, and over 400,000 farmers and Fund 2 LP, with a capital base now He said that vision guided MEentrepreneurs who received training, of $150 million, is invested in eight DA’s 309 worldwide staff every day financial services and/or access to private equity funds which currently through the relentless complexities markets provided by MEDA and our hold 28 companies in a dozen counand challenges that mark economic partners.” tries in Asia, North Africa and Latin America.” development and poverty reduction.

Of the 62 countries where MEDA The year had not been without was involved this year, 22 represent“It is what grounds us when facchallenges, however. As an example, ed direct MEDA projects and/or ing myriad choices. It is what keeps Sauder pointed to Mountain Lion Aginvestments, eight received consultmany of us at MEDA, devoting our riculture in Sierra Leone, a thriving ing services only or consulting and careers to this cause.” rice-producing enterprise in which indirect investment, and 32 received Turning to the financial reports, MEDA is invested. Despite dangers indirect investments through one Sauder noted that “as a businesspresented by the Ebola outbreak in of the funds with which MEDA is oriented organization we take our that country, Mountain Lion was financial reports very seriously. making gains and operating well.

Fortunately, we have been Through an expanded partnerblessed with a number of years ship the company was now of positive results.” working with one of Britain’s This year was no exceptop agricultural manufacturers to tion, though he pointed out that produce the world’s first hybrid “as a risk-taking, leading-edge dryer-parboiler fuelled by waste organization, we know that this rice husks. will not always be the case, and But not all the news was it is important to store up some positive. A leading Mountain reserves for future rainy days.”

Lion Agriculture staffer had Sauder reported that FY succumbed to Ebola which he 2014 was the first year on record where private contributions to A mother receives a bednet in Tanzania, one of contracted while transporting a sick nurse to hospital.

MEDA exceed $6 million — “a 38 million that were delivered over 10 years.

Another setback had been number that exceeds even our Estimated lives saved: 220,000.

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encountered in Ukraine, where MEDA recently concluded the first phase of its $10 million Ukraine Horticulture Development Project.

Sauder briefly reviewed the history. “We met with banks and credit unions and it seemed that our farm clients would not have a problem accessing the capital they needed for the agricultural innovations we were introducing: greenhouses, cold storage units, roto-tillers and so on. Then 2008 happened. Credit dried up.

We took a risk and invested a million dollars in creating Agro Capital Management (ACM), an agricultural leasing company. It performed well and helped more than 1,000 small farmers capitalize their innovations.

“The first phase of our Ukraine project came to an end, and we set out to sell ACM. We accepted an excellent offer and were scheduled to receive final payment in March 2014.

And then the unthinkable happened.

Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, where ACM was headquartered. With some 40% of our portfolio in Crimea, the original purchaser backed off.

Fortunately in the following months, another buyer emerged from the MEDA networks, and in June we concluded a second sale agreement, albeit at a much lower price, Nonetheless, we are very pleased that ACM will continue under new owners to provide farmers with this valuable service. In the meantime, we were delighted to be awarded a second phase of the Ukraine Horticulture Business Development Project. The Canadian government will provide $20 million toward this $30

million, seven-year project, which expects to reach some 44,000 small farmers and related businesses.”

Sauder also shared news of MEDA’s long-term program to battle malaria through commercial distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. The program has been wildly successful in protecting expectant mothers and young children from malaria, the largest killer of children in Africa. However a darker side of the venture had been experienced which bore out the development adage that there are two kinds of development agencies — those who have already been stung by fraud, and those who will be stung soon.

MEDA is one of the former.

What sets it apart from many victims is how it learned from the experience and turned it around for good, Sauder said.

In reviewing the history, he reported on a visit this fall to Tanzania for discussions with the Ministry of Health, the British government, the National Malaria Control Program and the companies that supply nets.

“I told the story of how some 20 years ago we were one of the pioneers of microfinance and facing a significant fraud in one of our programs, also in Tanzania,” he said.

“Interestingly, it had been uncovered when we introduced a computerized MIS system. I told them how we had investigated, taken responsibility for losses, and revamped and rebuilt the program. We also documented lessons learned and became one of the first voices in the industry to talk about fraud. Today, 20 years later,

Lean machine In his AGM devotional, Ethan Eshbach, a new member of the Lancaster, Pa., staff who is charged with reaching out to younger supporters, noted MEDA’s appeal to people under the age of 40. He said it was his experience that they recognized “MEDA was doing economic development before economic development was cool. We’ve had decades to hone our work — and we have. I often hear people say that MEDA provides the biggest bang for the donor’s buck. We are, if I might say, a lean, green, poverty-reducing machine.” ◆

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we still literally teach the course on fraud prevention in microfinance. My point is that if we had thrown up our hands and quit then, we would have lost a couple of decades of development in what has become a worldwide success story.”

Now, a new instance of fraud had reared its head — perpetrated by individuals unrelated to MEDA. Thom Dixon, MEDA’s director of Business of Health initiatives, reviewed the achievements of the program and commented on the fraud.

Over 10 years, Dixon said, the program had distributed 12 million bednets through the private sector to vulnerable households who received bednet vouchers for which they then paid a small top-up fee to redeem.

MEDA also facilitated distribution of another 26 million bednets under contract to the public sector. These 38 million nets had saved an estimated 220,000 lives and helped the Tanzanian government reduce childhood mortality to 54 per 1,000 live births.

“In the process, we developed and introduced an innovative evoucher, essentially an electronic version of the original paper vouchers that we were distributing to cover part of the cost of the mosquito net — intended to draw nets into the marketplace in even the most remote, rural parts of the country,” Dixon said.

However, he added, some parties involved in the project but unrelated to MEDA, had managed to “game the system” for personal gain.

Damages were still being calculated. “The e-voucher’s responsiveness enabled us to detect it sooner than would have been possible with paper vouchers,” Dixon said.

He said it was critical that agencies like MEDA and donor governments not “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” MEDA’s advanced monitoring had caught the problem early enabling remedial steps to be taken, and modeling an ethical response that can other development practitioners can use if needed. ◆ The Marketplace January February 2015

MEDA convention 2014

Seminar samplers Numerous seminars expanded on the convention theme or explored dimensions of business, faith and personal professional development. Winnipeg freelance journalist Byron Rempel-Burkholder sampled the offerings and filed these reports:

Human rights statements spur business accountability

W

hen Lowell Ewert begins teaching his peace courses each year, he inevitably meets some students who assume that human rights and business are by definition in conflict, at least in developing countries. Ewert’s task is to convince them that there can be a constructive and vibrant interplay between the two.

That message was also the burden of the seminar, “Human rights, Peace and Business” led by Ewert, director of peace and conflict studies at Ontario’s Conrad Grebel University College. Through a review of all that has ensued from the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ewert gave a mostly optimistic overview of the world’s regard for human right standards.

“If you take a historical look at what we’ve achieved in the last 60 years,” he said, “the change is breathtaking, in terms of a completely new framework for how we view persons.” People were no longer the property of the king or of the state.

Following on Art DeFehr’s plenary the evening before, Ewert outlined how, before the emergence of the United Nations’ endorsement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the world had no internationally recognized guideline that challenged discrimination. Many of the signatories of the declaration – notably colonial powers – were in flagrant violation of its principles, but signed anyway, soothed by Eleanor Roosevelt’s assurance: “Don’t

The Marketplace January February 2015

“The change is breathtaking ... in how we view persons.” worry…this is not a treaty.”

“I don’t think any nation would have voted for this if they knew what it would do,” Ewert said. “It went against each nation’s own interests.

It was a completely hypocritical document.”

Since then, however, the UDHR has come to be regarded as treaty, Ewert said, and thousands of organizations appeal to it as an authority.

In the last decade and a half, even businesses and international corporations have included human rights as part of their stated values, subscribing to such initiatives as The Sullivan Principles of Social Responsibility,

the Global Compact, the Global Business Initiative, and the Equator Principles.

As the discussion bore out, however, practice still lags behind rhetoric. One participant, for example, spoke of her work with community groups in Central America who are accusing Canadian mining company Barrick — a member of the Global Compact — of violating their stated commitment to environmental responsibility and thus endangering human health.

While such hypocrisy continues today, Ewert said, “Even the hypocrisy is a reaffirmation of the standard; it gives you a framework for criticism.… Standards in the absence of enforceability are very important.”

When violations happen, how should civil organizations respond?

Activism and boycotts are not always effective, Ewert cautioned. “If we put so much pressure on an industry to move faster than they are able to, they can do a lot of damage.”

He gave the example of the public outrage at the involvement of oil company Talisman in Sudan, when the government was engaging in genocidal warfare in Darfur. Under pressure, the company withdrew, but then “worse players” filled the void.

— Byron Rempel-Burkholder

Building peace through business

K

ara Klassen heard a heartrending story while traveling in northern Uganda. A teenager, Senneth, is abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army, forced to work as a nurse, and eventually escapes to Sudan. She finally comes back to her devastated community, only to find both her parents dead. To rebuild her life, Senneth longs to start her own 14

business raising goats.

Klassen, a project manager in MEDA’s Women’s Economic Opportunities Department, used Senneth’s story to open her seminar on A Message of Peace Clothed in Business.

While it is often hard to pin lasting peace in a former conflict zone to specific economic initiatives, she said, there is evidence that “without

addressing issues of poverty through stimulating economic activity and development, conflict or instability almost always continue.”

Klassen outlined how MEDA has worked at stimulating conditions for peace through three strategies: building resilience, promoting women’s economic empowerment and building relationships.

Resilience grows when MEDA offers tools to rebuild broken economies in conflict zones, instilling hope and confidence among people made vulnerable through violence. Afghan Secure Futures Project, for example, offered vulnerable youth training in construction and thus “took away the need to go elsewhere.”

MEDA, along with many other development programs, shares the conviction that investing in women and girls greatly contributes to community stability. The Behind the Veil program that MEDA implemented in Pakistan is a well-known case: it brought dignity to housebound Muslim women and a new respect from the men in their lives.

Klassen stressed that much of MEDA’s work involves building dialogue, collaboration and trust among business stakeholders, thus nurturing such values in the broader society as well. In Ethiopia’s EDGET project, for example, MEDA has helped weavers in traditional cottage industries link with Ethiopian Airlines as a major buyer of their products.

Klassen saw a new open door for that same model in a recent trip to Mozambique, a country recovering from war. She met a woman who produces a popular hot-sauce in a small factory in her home, but is eager to learn how to get her product to bigger and higher value markets.

“It is my belief that our approach to building relationships and connecting market actors will contribute to grounding communities economically and foster more stability to mitigate the risks of conflict,” Klassen said.

In the discussion afterward, one participant asked if peace should be

“Business is part of laying the groundwork for peace.” more prominent as part of MEDA’s branding. Klassen said that while MEDA’s focus is business solutions to poverty, “we can reframe it sometimes as peacemaking; business is part of laying the groundwork for peace.”

Should MEDA create stronger ties with organizations that promote peace? Klassen acknowledged

that in volatile situations, it is not enough just to take the economic approach; such partnerships are critical. Her MEDA colleague, Farah Chandani, added that by the same token, “Peacebuilding organizations often miss the economic lens and completely ignore the importance of economic growth. They need to look at how to build resilience in the community.”

MEDA, Klassen said, is currently exploring how to work in Somalia, where business and peacebuilding cannot be confined to silos. How to keep the two together could be a fruitful discussion at a future convention. — Byron Rempel-Burkholder

New partnership tackles Vitamin A deficiency

H

ow can business ventures boost health in developing countries? In Tanzania, MEDA’s much-publicized bed nets project has proved that entrepreneurship plays a key role: in over 10 years, the initiative helped prevent 220,000 malaria deaths, particularly among children.

Thom Dixon, MEDA’s Business of Health director, shared in his seminar how MEDA is working with local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to address another pressing need in Tanzania: Vitamin A deficiency in two remote regions, Manyara and Shinyanga.

Dixon invited medical mission workers Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig to give background on the need that stimulated the project. The couple reported that while Tanzania has shown improvement in food security and health over the last decades, dire health needs persist.

In Manyara and Shinyanga, Vitamin A, which is critical for vision, immune system and bone growth, is found only in seasonally available foods. Children need a consistent supply of Vitamin A year-round. The incidence of Vitamin A deficiency 15

“We don’t want to subsidize the product for life, we just want them to try it.” in the two regions is well above the national average of 34% for children under five. The country’s infrastructure is currently such that the regions cannot have a reliable and affordable supply of Vitamin A-rich foods yearround.

In 2012-13, Dixon spearheaded a pilot project to explore the viability of taking a product that Tanzanians use daily — cooking oil — fortifying it with Vitamin A, and introducing it into the food supply chain. MEDA’s partners were the University of Waterloo in Ontario and the Sokoine University of Tanzania, along with the German chemical company BASF, which produces half of the world’s supply of Vitamin A in concentrate form. The project recruited four SMEs in the regions to test the fortification process, applied to the unrefined sunThe Marketplace January February 2015

flower oil that Tanzanians use.

Following a successful pilot, MEDA will now bring BASF technicians to train local producers to manufacture the fortified oil with the concentrate. It will work with local clinics and the government to promote the fortified oil as a better option than the current product. Building on the bed net program, MEDA is setting up a system in which customers text a phone number displayed on the oil’s packaging and receive an electronic voucher for a free jug. “It’s marketing 101,” Dixon said, “much like enticing customers to try a new flavor of yogurt.”

The education also happens at the retail level. Vendors, who are

reimbursed for the redeemed vouchers, are also given declining discounts to encourage them to establish the oil as a valued product. Through the voucher, the project managers can track exactly how the sales are progressing.

“We don’t want to subsidize the product for life, we just want them to try it,” Dixon said. “It’s our way of giving the en-

terprises a leg up.”

When the project ends in 2017, MEDA expects the fortification process to have proved its worth and sustainability, both in terms of better health in the population and in the business success of the manufacturers and vendors of the oil.

As Rebecca Hartwig said in the discussion period, the fortified oil is one of those ingredients that will “grease the wheels” of general health, and ultimately feed economic progress.

— Byron Rempel-Burkholder

Peace is everybody’s business

L

owell Ewert once visited a Rotary club meeting where a conversation with an accountant sparked some surprise insights about peacemaking. “You can’t have world peace without accountants,” Ewert told his new friend. The man thought it was a joke and called over another member, also an accountant, to discuss the same assertion. Soon a third accountant joined them.

Ewert, director of peace and conflict studies at Conrad Grebel University College, was serious: Peace in the world doesn’t just depend on professional negotiators, police, politicians and peace activists. As the title of his second seminar put it: “Peace is everyone’s business.”

Ewert made that point by identifying the many ways people in all kinds of occupations create conditions for peace. When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights emerged in the wake of World War II, for example, it was intended as “the world’s remedy to war.” But it had to do with basic human needs, such as food, health care, political freedom, or employment.

If it is true that all of these factors create conditions of peace, Ewert asked the group, “Who are the

The Marketplace January February 2015

People in all kinds of occupations can create conditions for peace. peacemakers?” Participants called out a variety of occupations, from coaches to doctors, farmers to businesspeople.

Ewert spoke about the “third side” that exists in every dispute. It is made up of both insiders and outsiders. Insiders may have direct relationships with the disputants and may have a say in how the two sides act.

But outsiders also have an important role, whether teachers observing a schoolyard fight, therapists, pastors or Christian Peacemaker Teams witnessing and reporting violence.

In situations of potential violence, outsiders may get involved in a variety of “third sider” roles, Ewert said. As providers or teachers, for example, they may prevent the escalation of violence. If prevention fails, they may step in to help resolve a conflict as mediators or healers. And where the violence continues, they can work to contain the violence as witnesses, or peacekeepers.

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“The single greatest determinant of what happened to the Jews in World War II was the reactions of the bystanders,” Ewert said. Tragically, the genocide was not averted, yet it was mitigated by outsiders like the residents of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, or businessman Oskar Schindler — observers who worked sacrificially in sheltering Jews and helping them escape.

Ewert asked participants to reflect in small groups on the roles they see themselves playing as “third siders” — both personally, but also as organizations and businesses. In the large group discussion that followed, Ewert observed they are all voluntarily involved in creating conditions for peace. “None of these are being required by the government.”

Often, these activities serve society as a whole — not just one side — thus having a bridging and stabilizing effect among people in conflict.

“There are many ways we promote peace unknowingly,” Ewert asserted. He told of his son, who has recently decided to study accounting rather than majoring in peace studies. “He’s going into peace studies,” Ewert said. “He just doesn’t know it.” — Byron Rempel-Burkholder

MEDA convention 2014

Faith without veneers

W

hen Jim Miller needed a business image to depict “faith without veneers” for his sermon at the end of the MEDA convention, he didn’t have to look far. His own company provided a vivid example.

Miller, former pastor of Covenant Mennonite Community Fellowship in Sarasota, Florida, owns JMX Brands, parent company of DutchCrafters, the country’s largest web-only retailer of Amish furniture.

One of the points he made in his sermon was the need for authentic faith that gets beyond the veneers of false piety. He based his sermon on Luke 7:36-50, where Jesus dines at the home of a Pharisee and receives an anointing by a “sinful” woman.

While the Pharisee was preoccupied with the woman’s apparent lack of spiritual pedigree, Jesus saw past the veneer of his pious posturing.

To illustrate, Miller described his visit to a trade show in Pennsylvania where a particular display caught his attention.

“It was a display of two nightstands standing side by side — each of them cut in half. One was a cheap foreign import. Since it was cut in half, you could see that beneath a thin veneer the thing was made of particleboard. The veneer chipped at the saw marks, demonstrating the thin layer of protection. You could also see that many of the inside parts were not stained, and that some of it was held together with staples and plastic and the drawer slides and hardware was cheap and flimsy.

“Sitting right beside it was the handcrafted Amish made version which this particular vendor had built. It too was cut in half for an obvious comparison. Instead of particleboard, this piece was solid oak wood throughout. The saw blades didn’t chip, and you could see the quality of the finish that protected

the wood and enhanced its natural beauty. It was stained even in places where a home owner would never look, and it was strengthened by mortise and tenon construction, dovetailed drawers and small touches that you would never fully appreciate if not for the cheap piece sitting right beside it.”

Miller went on to explain how that display vividly depicted an important part of what his company seeks to do.

“We tell the story of Amish made

narrative of authenticity that kept our small company not only afloat, but growing.”

The spiritual lesson he conveyed went far beyond furniture.

“Many of us are tired of shallow fabrications and disposable, cheap imitations,” he said. “There are so many of them, and they are so pervasive: the furniture we buy, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the politicians we elect, and the religions we proclaim. We hunger for that which is authentic, that which

True artisans finish even the unseen parts as an expression of faith in a God who sees all things. furniture, handcrafted by fathers and sons (and daughters) who work side by side in their craft, feeling the wood with their hands, inspecting the way the grains are laid together, finishing even the unseen parts as an expression of their faith in a God who sees all things.

“Finding a purpose for even the scraps and sawdust, they build something of beauty and strength, furniture that will last for generations.

Believing that faith is something that is practiced in work, not just worship — they build furniture that has integrity throughout, authentically handcrafted.

“This narrative has proved so valuable for us, allowing us to sell furniture for thousands of dollars to customers who haven’t even seen it firsthand, or haven’t met us in person. When the economy was in recession and furniture retailers were among the hardest hit, it was this 17

has lasting value, beauty and significance. We want continuity between words and action, consistency between the outer layer and what lies under the service. We want authenticity, and it often seems in short supply — even in the church, and in the stories we tell about God. People long for faith without veneers.”

He noted that many characters on the journey of Jesus may be on the margins (tax collectors, unclean persons, a Roman centurion) yet Jesus saw their authenticity “not in outward forms, but in the integrity of character that lies beneath. Cutting to the core, like a nightstand cut in half, he exposes the inconsistencies between outward appearance and the truth underneath.”

Jesus, said Miller, “offers dignity at the fringes — a faith without veneers.” ◆ To hear Jim Miller’s sermon in its entirety go to: www.vimeo.com/111777325

The Marketplace January February 2015

Going to college:

Why it could be the best investment you’ll ever make On average, college grads earn a million dollars more over a lifetime than high school grads

by D. Merrill Ewert

“C

ollege is not for everyone,” my friend suggested. “Look at Bill Gates, Michael Dell and Steve Jobs; none of them graduated.” Indeed. Meanwhile, Stanford Law graduate and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel paid 24 teenagers each $100,000 to drop out of college and go into business. Why? The average plumber makes as much as the average doctor, he told 60 Minutes.

In addition, he argues, college gets in the way of entrepreneurship, so if you provide access to risk capital, these young people will accomplish great things.

Having contributed to the accumulated wealth of each of these innovators through the purchase of their products and use of their services, I deeply appreciate their accomplishments. However, higher education’s critics are drawing all the wrong lessons from the experience of a few inventors and business magnates — these anecdotes about rare individuals ignore what the research says about the benefits of a college education to students and society.

Many people have come to believe that college costs too much, The Marketplace January February 2015

takes too long and leaves students saddled with too much debt. They wonder if it’s worth the effort. Unfortunately, the debate over dollars and cents is obscuring the simple fact that a college degree is still the best investment people can make in their own futures.

That Bill Gates dropped out of

Harvard is well known. But while he was there he was mentored by world-class professors, challenged by bright students and engaged by the classes he audited to supplement his applied math major. He also spent much of his time using Harvard computers to create code. Michael Dell repaired and upgraded personal computers in his dorm room at the University of Texas before starting to assemble new machines and selling them to his classmates.

Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College after six months but subsequently audited courses. Because he dropped in on a single calligraphy class, Jobs told Stanford graduates at commencement, the Mac was set up with multiple typefaces and proportionately spaced fonts.

Degree or not, attending col18

lege profoundly shaped these entrepreneurs — introducing them to knowledge, helping them build relationships and exposing them to new career opportunities. The same things happen to most other college students.

The Pew Charitable Trusts

found that in 2012, the average annual earnings of Millennials (people between 25 and 32) was $28,000 for high school graduates, $30,000 for those with some college (or an associate degree) and $45,500 for those with bachelor’s degrees or more. Another study by the New York Federal Reserve shows how this plays out over one’s lifetime: on average, college graduates earn at least one million dollars more than high school graduates.

Pew also noted that the unemployment rate for Millennials was 12.2% for high school grads, 8.1% for those with two-year degrees (or some college) and 3.8% for those with at least a bachelor’s degree.

During the recession, college graduates held onto their jobs longer, and when they lost them they found new ones more quickly than those without degrees. A college education

is also a hedge against poverty. According to the Pew study, 5.8% of Millennials who are college graduates live in poverty, versus 14.7% of the Millennials with two-year degrees (or some college) and 21.8% of those with only high school diplomas.

A generation ago, workers with only high school degrees could expect to support their families and hold onto their jobs for life. With the decline in manufacturing in North America and whole industries moving off shore, neither assumption is true today.

The lack of a col-

lege degree puts one in greater jeopardy because the jobs of the future will require new training and skills. The pace of innovation is accelerating, with technology increasing much faster than the high school curriculum is developing. A Georgetown University study found that 72% of the jobs available in 1972 required a high school diploma or less. At the time, tablets referred to school notepads, not electronic devices with more computational power than mainframe computers of that day. Phones were tethered to wires rather than being “smart” on-ramps to the Internet — which hadn’t yet been created.

By 2010, only 41% of all jobs could be done by people with high school degrees. The Georgetown study projects that of the 164 million jobs expected in 2020, nearly two-thirds (64%) will require some college. Several years ago, an Intel executive told a group of California university presidents that 90% of the company’s revenue the previous year came from products that had not existed 18 months earlier. Intel,

During the recession, those with degrees held their jobs longer, and if they lost them

ed increase in hiring is strongest in information services (up 51% over last year) and finance and insurance (up 31%), but also includes sharp increases in the professions, health services, business and scientific services.

As the educational bar continues to rise, those lacking 21st century skills risk becoming part of a permanent underclass. The knowledge economy requires critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and interpersonal collaboration as well as an understanding of technology and media — all part of today’s liberal arts education. This training enables people to prepare for jobs that don’t yet exist. People who base their future prospects on high school level skills could become as obsolete as the lamplighter, typesetter and elevator operator.

A college education, however, is more than an investment in one’s own financial security. It also improves the quality of life of that individual’s community.

found new ones faster. In their seminal book, How she said, was looking for talent, not the cheap labor available all over the world.

A recent Michigan State University study called Recruiting Trends, an annual survey based on nearly 5,700 companies in the United States, concluded that hiring for the class of 2014-2015 is expected to jump 16% for those with bachelor’s degrees.

Economist and project director Philip Gardner, says: “Employers are recruiting new college graduates at levels not seen since the dot-com frenzy of 1999-2000.” This anticipat19

College Affects Students, Ernest Pascarella and Patrick Terenzini summarize thousands of studies over three decades of research on how college changes students, specifically development that cannot simply be attributed to maturation. Since the process of growing up affects everyone whether or not they enroll in college, the researchers looked only at studies that controlled for normal growth and development.

They found that college degrees increase students’ levels of critical thinking, verbal and quantitative skills and general knowledge. Students benefit not only from what The Marketplace January February 2015

they learn, but also from the people with whom they interact. Controlling for age, gender, grades and credit hours completed, the level of interaction with faculty has a significant, positive effect on students’ preparation for careers. Engaging with professors prepares students for the marketplace in ways that go beyond the classroom.

College graduates, these studies show, not only demonstrate greater self confidence and leadership, they have stronger social support systems and suffer lower levels of abuse and family violence than non-graduates.

They are also more likely to exercise, less likely to smoke or engage in substance abuse and more likely to live longer and carry health insurance. Based on these effects, college education is a public good-not just a personal benefit.

When we earn college degrees, it makes a difference to our communities. Pascarella and Terenzini found that people with some college are more likely to vote, participate

in the political process, give blood and serve as volunteers. They are also less likely to draw on public assistance, but more important, college increases students’ “level of principled moral reasoning.” The authors argue that this happens not

College grads tend to be better community citizens with higher levels of moral reasoning. only because students study ethics in the classroom, but because they are exposed to a wide range of intellectual, cultural and social experiences, and encounter divergent perspectives that force them to examine moral issues. Given that many people appear

to have lost their moral compasses, these are important lessons for 21st century citizens.

Society will always produce

some creative geniuses that invent new products, create new business models and develop new marketing strategies — with or without college degrees. The probabilities, however, are stacked against people without them; they put themselves at a distinct disadvantage relative to their college-going peers. We wouldn’t think of telling a high school basketball player to skip college for an immediate shot at the NBA just because Kobe Bryant and LeBron James made it. If we wouldn’t say this to studentathletes based on the accomplishments of a few superstars, let’s not advise other students to do so based on the success of a few inventorgeniuses.

The world has changed. A high school diploma is no longer sufficient for most people who want to build successful careers in our rapidly changing world. College is the foundation for knowledge creation and the development of 21st century skills. We should help high school students and their families view a college education as an investment in the future — theirs and ours.

And, by the way, according to Payscale. com, the average salary of a physician is around $200,000, while the average plumber tops out at $75,888. ◆ D. Merrill Ewert is President Emeritus of Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif. He previously taught at the University of Maryland, Wheaton College and Cornell University. After retiring from Fresno Pacific in 2012, he served as an advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Education in Washington. He and his wife Priscilla live in Arizona where he writes and consults on higher education issues.

The Marketplace January February 2015

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Shining bright or blown bulb?

Boston Summit examines Faith@Work

by John Pletcher

“G

ive it a gentle shake, right up next to your ear. If the filament yields a tinsel sound, the bulb is blown, Son.” This was Dad’s explanation for assessing oldschool light bulbs.

Is Faith@Work shining bright?

I would love to say the severaldecades-old movement emanates resilient brilliance. Alas, all is not aglow. I recently gathered with key influencers in Boston to “shake the bulb” — a time of careful evaluation.

The late-October Faith@Work Summit attracted a kaleidoscope of leaders, more than 275 of them.

Organizers included David Gill of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Al Erisman of Seattle Pacific University, and Bill Peel from LeTourneau University.

Speakers delivered, in “TED Talk” style, a collage of 15-minute presentations. Practitioner “affinity group” huddles raised probing questions: What is working well? What still needs to be accomplished?

What IS truly shining bright?

Numerous marketplace organizations, such as the C12 Group and CBMC, are consistently creating dynamic business platforms. Proliferation of such resourcing groups has strengthened significant numbers of workplace disciples. Eric Welch (Institute for Faith, Work & Economics) is leading the charge for a newly-formed National Faith & Work Association.

Universities, business schools

and seminaries are wonderfully promoting faith-work connections. A growing number of schools now offer curricula on faith in the workplace.

More campus groups are reaching more business students.

During the Summit, two luminous new resources were introduced.

The Theology of Work Project rolled out a Theology of Work Bible Commentary and The Bible and Your Work Study Series. In addition, Regent College announced ReFrame, a film-based course designed to help people connect faith with all of life.

What needs to shine brighter?

Plenary reports from the affinity groups revealed three bulbs.

Brighter academic bulbs — With transparent self-admission, educators spotlighted the need for stronger faith-work integration throughout curriculum. Schools’ offering of one or two classes addressing workplace faith is noble, yet still insufficient.

Theology of Work needs lustrous integration across wider departments.

Brighter millennial bulbs — A quick glance across the Summit crowd revealed the majority demographic — graying heads were prominent. When asked what it will take for more millennial leaders to engage, Carson Leith, Wilderness Adventure Specialist at Nootka Marine Adventures, replied, “If you want to engage me, it would need to be through a sermon series at my church, an article online that’s marketed through social media, or a 21

small group initiative that I can join.

What’s attractive to me is a conversation, not a workbook with preset fill-in-the-blank answers.” Accessibility and authenticity are essential with next generation leaders.

Brighter church bulbs — It became painfully evident that church lamps are barely flickering for faith-work endeavors. Despite a few churches’ noble attempts to convey work-faith connections, most business leaders still feel very lonely.

Cheryl Broetje, owner of Broetje Orchards, queried: “Where is the spiritual formation for marketplace leaders? It is not happening through pastors and churches.” The majority of pastors are still not preaching on work-faith issues, connecting regularly with everyday workers, or leading in work-faith initiatives.

During the Summit’s panel discussion, church developer Mark Roberts postured: “There is progress now, with better conversations between church and business. The barriers are coming down.” But longtime business leader Andy Mills cautioned, “It’s not as pretty a picture as you think.”

Such candor evoked sober realizations. Everyday laborers desperately need to be enlightened for workplace mission. Heads were nodding in agreement. The greatest opportunity for such influence lies in local churches. Church leaders must grasp a theology of work and vibrantly blend both the Cultural Mandate and the Great Commission. + The Marketplace January February 2015

The Summit itself was brilliant.

Plans are underway for a second gathering in Dallas in 2016. Brighter academic integration is essential. More authentic mentoring with millennials “Your insistence to publish “Radical with a cause” (Nov/Dec) over my concerns about its usefulness was vindicated by your ability to make an ordinary life seem important. So thanks for making the story seem far better than the reality. I appreciate your mentioning that I was the first editor of the Marketplace. But it would be of little significance if it had not been for what you have done to develop it to what it is today. Of course I had some ideas about what it might become, but not in the magnitude of what you have done for it. Your influence in making it the unique magazine is widely recognized. Thanks, Wally.” — Calvin Redekop, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The Marketplace January February 2015

will build longer-term momentum.

Pastors must light the way with passionate preaching and planning for work-faith initiatives. With such glowing bulbs, we truly can beam the

Letters

“Just a brief note to say thanks for the continued good work on Marketplace. Again we enjoyed reading the November/December issue. The “Money Scrubber” article about Sheri Brubacher was a nice reminder of the many activities of MEDA. It served as a stimulus to call and have a brief chat with her. The article on Levi and Lillis Troyer was a pleasant read as they are friends and members of our Sunday School class.” — Former MEDA president Ben Sprunger, Columbus, Ohio

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light of Christ every day! ◆ John Pletcher is pastor of Manor Church, Lancaster, Pa., and author of the novel, Henry’s Glory: A Story for Discovering Lasting Significance in Your Daily Work

“I very much enjoyed the Nov/Dec issue of Marketplace and sent several articles to people who will also find it interesting. From the historical piece about MEDA and Cal Redekop to the internationally focused pieces (esp. the one on Ukraine) to “Dream On” about managers and the “In Good Hands” piece on an alternative succession model, I thought the whole issue was diverse, interesting and quite simply, “fulfilling.” As I recover from eating too much this holiday, I found your most recent publication to offer a much more lasting sense of fullness! All the best to you.” — Lance Woodbury, family business specialist, Garden City, Kansas

News

Employee money stress a “silent epidemic” How much should employers care if their staff are having money problems?

A lot, says Barbara Bowes, a career specialist who writes a regular column in the Winnipeg Free Press.

When employees have financial woes, their employer is inevitably drawn in whether they can see it or not. The result for the company is lost productivity, higher healthcare costs, reduced profits and lower morale.

Worries about this “silent epidemic” gained urgency from a recent Canadian survey that showed more and more workers are saving less and feeling increasingly stressed by debt.

Astonishingly, says Bowes, 63 percent of young Canadians 18-29 live paycheck to paycheck.

The survey further showed that 29 percent of respondents said personal money worries were a workplace distraction and 48 percent spent work time handling personal financial affairs.

“Although almost unbelievable, one study suggests employees spend up to 20 hours per month dealing with personal financial issues during work time,” Bowes says. “This includes getting calls from creditors, calls from banks about insufficient funds and bounced checks, arranging debt-consolidation loans, worrying about money and simply daydreaming about financial freedom.”

If you add this up for just one employee, “you can just imagine the dollars being wasted from stress.”

Stress causes distractions and unsafe behavior, says Bowes, noting that 60 to 80 percent of workplace accidents are stress-related. Another impact is turnover as “many financially stressed workers are constantly looking for the next new job with

higher pay.”

She encourages employers to offer financial education programs (not seminars on how to invest) that teach how to manage money and reduce debt.

The benefits of caring about

employees’ financial well-being are numerous, says Bowes: “Less stress, less absenteeism, less turnover, higher morale, higher productivity and an appreciation that the employer cares about the well-being of their employees.” ◆

Evangelicals tackle “predatory lending” The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), not widely known for economic activism, has taken on the issue of “payday loans” that charge excessive fees and interest rates.

The agency, which represents 45,000 local churches in 40 denominations, recently approved a resolution on “Predatory Lending” urging churches, lenders and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to get rid of debt traps that imprison poor and vulnerable consumers.

NAE president Leith Anderson said the agency was stunned to find that the cost of payday loans can reach 300 percent in some states. He noted that the Bible “speaks strongly against unjust lending and taking advantage of the poor.”

Anderson said some states do not regulate interest rates and vulnerable people with urgent financial needs are lured into short-term, high-interest loans that cannot realistically be repaid and are rolled over from paycheck to paycheck, creating a cycle of indebtedness.

The NAE resolution encourages churches, charities and employers to help with gifts or loans in times of personal crisis, offer financial literacy classes and model the virtues of disciplined saving, delayed gratification and investment for future needs.

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Galen Carey, NAE vice-president of government relations, said, “Christians and churches should also advocate for just and responsible practices among lenders and reasonable state and federal regulations that protect the poor in our communities.”

The resolution states, “The NAE calls on lenders to design loan products that do not exploit poor and vulnerable borrowers. We call on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate predatory lending abuses and to establish just regulations that protect consumers, particularly the most poor and vulnerable among us, from exploitation.” ◆

Visit our new online home at www.marketplacemagazine.org, where you can download past issues, read articles and discuss topics with others, all from your desktop or mobile device.

The Marketplace January February 2015

The Marketplace January February 2015

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