ABSTRACT
This book explores the interplay and dialogue between faith communities and the humanitarian-development community. Faith and religion are key influencers of thought and practice in many communities around the world and development practitioners would not be able to change behaviours for improved health and social relations without the understanding and influence of those with authority in communities, such as religious leaders. Equally, religious leaders feel responsibilities to their communities, but do not necessarily have the technical knowledge and resources at hand to provide the information or services needed to promote the well-being of all in their scope of influence. The book demonstrates that partnerships between humanitarian-development practitioners and religious communities can be mutually beneficial exchanges, but that there are also frequently pitfalls along the way and opportunities for lessons to be learned by each party.
Delving into how humanitarians and faith communities engage with one another, the book focuses on building knowledge about how they interact as peers with different yet complementary roles in community development. The authors draw on the Channels of Hope methodology, a tool which seeks to engage faith leaders in addressing social norms and enact social change, as well as other related research in the sector to demonstrate the many ways in which humanitarian and development policy makers and practitioners could achieve more systematic engagement with faith groups. This book is an important contribution to the growing body of literature on faith and development, and will be useful both to researchers, and to practitioners working with faith communities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part Section 1|73 pages
Conceptualising development in the space between faith and secular approaches
chapter 3|14 pages
From principles to praxis
chapter 4|14 pages
The spiritual is political
chapter 6|14 pages
Cascading theology
part Section 2|72 pages
Practice-based knowledge on partnerships between INGOs and local faith communities
chapter 7|17 pages
Mobilising local faith communities
chapter 9|15 pages
Channels of Hope for Gender
chapter 10|14 pages
The potential of faith leader’s delivery platforms
part Section 3|43 pages
Parallel systems
chapter 13|11 pages
The encounter between international donors and Christian faith-based organisations in the Cameroonian health system
chapter 14|16 pages
“When a child has not made 18 years and you marry her off … don’t bother to invite me! I will not come”
part Section 4|46 pages
Deep engagement in complex issues