Introduction

For the overwhelming majority of the people worldwide, religion matters. This also holds true for sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. At the same time, religion is inherently ambivalent and able to draw out the best and the worst in human nature. And, so far the “religious factor” in the development equation is oftentimes notoriously unclear. This introduction addresses all three aspects and introduces a seven-dimensional analytical framework for better understanding the potentials and problems connected to religion in a given development context. Finally, the case is being made that complex challenges such as achieving the SDGs depends on the collaboration of all relevant actors, secular and faith-based, academics, policymakers and practitioners alike.