ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the attempts of the faith-based organisation World Vision to influence debate and decision-making at the United Nations (UN). It thereby explores the extent to which World Vision’s general Christian values encourage the organisation to pursue faith-based development goals at the UN, or whether its wider development concerns are for the needy, more generally, irrespective of their faith. The chapter addresses World Vision’s partnerships and networks with various state and non-state organisations at the UN, including governments, UN agencies, secular international non-governmental organizations and faith-based organizations. The study finds that World Vision spends much time, energy and significant financial resources at the UN on short-, medium- and long-term development needs of the most vulnerable and needy constituencies in the Global South: poor women and children. World Vision appears to have the capacity to influence development outcomes positively. The chapter concludes that while World Vision’s Christian roots continue to influence its thinking, the organisation focuses resources at the UN where they are most needed rather than solely in the direction of Christians.
