Contributions of Religious Actors to Sustainable Development

Religious and traditional actors play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development across the globe. These actors contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through various initiatives, partnerships, and community engagement. Discover their impact through selected publications, including studies and online articles from various sources and those produced by PaRD.

2024

WCC and partners, in global webinar, advocate for menstrual health and dignity [News | External]
Celebrating International Menstrual Hygiene Day, the World Council of Churches (WCC) held their 4th annual forum to discuss the role of faith-based initiatives in tackling menstrual health taboos.
Tobago Oil Spill Crisis: ADRA and Church Volunteers Continue Response Operations to Save The Coastline [News | External]
In response to an oil spill crisis, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and volunteers demonstrate their dedication to environmental preservation by participating in cleanup efforts.
Sacred Sites Promoting Pluralism [Conference Readout | External]
A formal launch event marks the beginning of the Sacred Sites Promoting Pluralism (SSPP) initiative after a year of preliminary research.
Faith-based partners voice support for pandemic accord [News | External]
This article looks at the vital role played by FBOs to the provision of comprehensive health care in many countries, using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Religion needs to be a part of the solution [News | External]
An article that vouches for the inclusion of religion in the foreign and development policy of the present German government, using worldwide examples.
Reimagining the Role of Institutions in Building Gender-Equal Societies [Report | External]
The Bahá‘í International Community addresses the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women with a statement on reimagining institutional roles in promoting gender equality.
Strengthening partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals: engaging faith-based organizations and scientists in youth climate change learning and action [Paper | External]
To enhance SDG achievement, this paper offers recommendations and toolkits for secular groups and scientists working with faith-based organisations (FBOs).
HfHR Guide to the 2024 Indian Lok Sabha Elections [Guide | External]
Hindus for Human Rights provide a comprehensive guide to the Indian Lok Sabha elections.

2023

First Faith Pavilion at a COP: Harnessing Spirituality and Faith for Climate Action [News | PaRD]
At COP28, the Faith Pavilion emerged as a symbol and catalyst for transformational change, integrating spirituality and faith into the heart of climate action. This article summarises key takeaways, how PaRD members and other global faith representatives engaged at the Faith Pavilion, and how they are shaping a sustainable future with a responsibility for environmental stewardship.
Op-ed: UN Climate Conference and the role of spirituality for climate action [News | External]
A joint op-ed piece by Rev Jerry Pillay, Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Khushwant Singh, Rt Rev Marc Andrus on the role of spirituality and faith for Climate Action.
Effectiveness of Local Faith Actors in Peacebuilding, Development, & Humanitarian Response [Study | External]
With the aim of achieving SDG 16, this report explores the role of local faith actors in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
On the Significance of Religion for the SDGs [Book | External]
Bringing together the perspectives of different faith traditions and disciplines, this book highlights the connections between various actors and their engagement with the SDGs.
How can faith-based schools improve education access and quality for disadvantaged students? [LinkedIn Article | External]
The Education Finance Network offers recommendations for collaborations between faith-based schools and governments to enhance education for all students.
Driving SDG Progress: The Dynamic Role of Religion in Indonesia [News | PaRD]
Prof Kamaruddin Amin, Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, discusses the positive impact of religion on Indonesia’s socio-political landscape.
Strengthening Faith-Sensitive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children on the Move [Policy Brief | PaRD]
A policy brief providing recommendations for strengthening faith-sensitive MHPSS to foster resilience in displaced children.
From Ethiopia’s Highlands to India’s Villages, Faith Organizations Are Restoring the World’s Forests [News | External]
An article emphasizing the significant role faith-based organisations play in land restoration, noting their ownership of about 8% of habitable land.
Parliamentary briefing: Pope Francis’s new call to action on the climate crisis ahead of COP28 [News | External]
A briefing on Pope Francis’s warning of the climate crisis and the increasing chances of irreversible damage.

2022

Buddhist Global Relief Annual Report 2022 [Report | External]
A report by the Buddhist Global Relief, detailing their 2022 humanitarian projects.
Freedom of Religion and Belief in Islam [Toolkit| External]
This toolkit aids Muslims facing discrimination and accusations of false belief in Muslim contexts due to their expressions of thought and opinion.
Young People Building Peace [Booklet | External]
In this brochure, seven iDovers share their personal stories and how their religiously motivated commitments contribute to understanding and cohesion.
Religious Freedom in the Qur’an & Hadith [Flyer | External]
This document provides a brief overview of the scriptures of Islam that support the right to religious freedom.
Collection: Responses to COVID-19 by Religious Actors [Repository | PaRD]
The collaborative project Faith and COVID-19: Resource Repository gathers over 1,000 resources providing up-to-date information on the responses of various religious actors to the pandemic and related emergencies.
Advocacy Tool Kit For Justice For Widows [News | External]
A tool kit on the championing of widows’ rights, from a biblical perspective, in collaboration with the AACC-CETA.
Dialogue launched for establishment of Network of Religious leaders to Prevent Violent Extremism in Iraq [News | External]
On the inclusion of religious leaders in preventing violent extremism in Iraq.
Religion Matters! Achieving the 2030 Agenda together [Video | PaRD]
This video highlights how religious organizations play a vital role in enhancing social cohesion and development, emphasizing the importance of partnerships like PaRD.
Religious Actors protect Human Rights: Focus Myanmar [News | PaRD]
Despite being caught up in the fallout of the military coup, Myanmar’s religious actors are working together to protect human rights.
Interfaith Theological Reflections and Proposals to Fight Inequality [Report | External]
Reflections from an online interfaith discussion during the Festival to Fight Inequality 2021.
How Faith Actors are Preventing Food Loss in Rwanda [News | External]
Looking at a project that aims to provide simple and inexpensive ways for Rwandans of all kinds to reduce waste and increase food security.
Villas to Villages: Uganda’s Religious Networks Fight Corruption at all Levels [News | PaRD]
In an effort to combat corruption, Uganda’s Imams, Pastors, Priests, and other religious leaders came together.
Funding the work of religious actors on gender equality—particularly SRHR—within development cooperation [Report | External]
This report highlights key insights for religious actors and donors to bridge gaps in evidence, knowledge, language, literacy, and trust, offering actionable recommendations for improved partnerships.

2021

Scoping Study: Looking Back to Look Forward – The Role of Religious Actors in Gender Equality since the Beijing Declaration [Study | External]
Looking at the road to equality, this report emphasises the link between religion and gender instead of putting religion trial.
Freedom of Religion or Belief for Everyone: Women in Focus [Booklet | External]
A discussion on the relationship between FoRB for women and women’s rights.
Religion and Development Journal [Journal | External]
This journal focuses on three main themes: the shift towards sustainable development, the revival of the post-development debate, and the emerging field of religion and development.
Faith-based organizations offer ‘trusted networks’ to help tech solutions scale [News | External]
In tech-enabled international development, partnering with faith-based organizations can expedite adoption pathways.
How faith-based organizations are restoring nature [News | External]
A look into what some faith-based organizations are doing to protect and restore natural spaces.
CSW 65: In Search of a Round Table: Gender, Religion and Decision Making in Public Life [Video | External]
In this streamed round table event, speakers share their experiences, challenges and potential solutions for working as/or with religious actors to further gender equality and empowerment (SDG5).
Religious Communities as Actors for Ecological Sustainability in Southern Africa and Beyond [Report | External]
This report explores the role of religious communities in Southern Africa in promoting ecological sustainability through their theologies, lived religions, and activities.
The Impactful Role of Faith Actors in the COVID-19 Pandemic – United States Department of State [Fact Sheet | External]
Many faith actors around the world have served in three essential roles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Key Role of Religious Communities in the Covid-19 Pandemic – Religious Matters [News | External]
In a study the role of religious actors in the Covid-19 pandemic are analysed.

2020

Faith Action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Progress and Outlook [Report | External]
This report focuses on the progress Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) have made toward the six environmental SDGs 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
Launch of Global Multi-Religious Faith-in-Action Covid-19 Initiative [News | External]
This initiative underscores the vital roles of religious leaders and actors in shaping values, attitudes, behaviours, and actions impacting the development and wellbeing of children worldwide.
People and Planet: Faith in the 2030 Agenda [Policy Brief | External]
This policy brief discusses the role of faith communities in environmental action and highlights the way forward.
Bridge Builders: Strengthening the role of local faith actors in humanitarian response in South Sudan [Report | External]
An initiative with Islamic Relief, Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities, RedR UK, Tearfund, Tearfund Belgium, University of Leeds.
Faith-based organisations can help drive sustainable development [Report | External]
This report highlights the progress being made by various FBOs in achieving sustainable development.
The role of Environmental and Spiritual Ethics in Galvanizing Nature Based Solutions [Paper | External]
This paper finds that spiritual ethics promote nature-based solutions (NBS), providing examples of FBOs already engaged with NBS and suggesting ways to enhance these efforts.
Ties between UN, faith-based groups poised to grow during pandemic [News| External]
This article dissects opinions of some experts that urge the UN to further engage FBOs to reach people with humanitarian and development work.
Faith leaders bring recommendations to G-20 [News | External]
This article details the participation by religious leaders and FBOs in a G20 Interfaith Forum to inform recommendations to world leaders.
Religious actors and COVID-19: Healing people’s anxiety [Podcast | PaRD]
In our PaRD Geneva Peace Week Podcast, Ms. Wah Wah Yu, Program Manager at the Spirit in Education Movement based in Yangon, Myanmar, speaks about the support religious actors can give to people in COVID-19 times.

2019

Partnering with Local Faith Actors to Support Peaceful and Inclusive Societies [Study| PaRD]
Exploring the role played by local faith actors (LFAs) in supporting peaceful and inclusive societies, this study was conducted with the PaRD’s SDG 16 Workstream and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI).
Keeping Faith in 2030: Religions and the Sustainable Development Goals [Policy Paper | External]
This policy paper provides findings and recommendations based on the involvement of FBOs in not only committing to SDGs but also shaping development policy.
Faith for Earth Dialogue Synthesis Report [Report | External]
A paper that highlights examples of best practices by faith-based organisations for sustainable consumption and production.
How people around the world view religion’s role in their countries [Study | External]
An important study on the role of religion from a 2018 survey.
Religion, Development and GBV. Recommendations for a Strategic Research Agenda For the PaRD Gender Equality and Empowerment Work-Stream [Report | PaRD]
This PaRD report highlights GBV as a key priority and thus provides recommendations for the joint learning initiative on faith and local communities.
Religion and the Sustainable Development Goals [Essay | External]
Based on AHRC-funded research “Keeping Faith in 2030: Religions and the SDGs.”, this essay recognises and explores the increasing aid channelled through FBOs.
Water and Faith [Report | External]
A summary on World Water Week 2019, which was held in part by the Church of Sweden and the World Council of Churches.

2018

Engaging Faith Actors on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – Best Practices from the NCA Global GBV Programme [Best Practice | External]
Taking key lessons from the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) Global GBV Programme, this publication furthers the discussion on changing social norms to support the right to a life free from violence.
Youth Empowerment and African Initiated Churches in Urban Zimbabwe [Policy Brief| External]
A policy brief detailing the connection between youth engagement in churches and the subsequent rise in youth development initiatives by churches in Zimbabwe.
United Nations Arab Regional Strategic Learning Exchange on Religion, Development and Humanitarian Aid [Paper | External]
This paper examines religion and its role in addressing the SDGs, with a particular focus on the MENA region.
Faith actors’ contribution to Civic Space in Zimbabwe – SDG 16 [Report | External]
Exploring the positive contribution of faith actors to Zimbabwe’s national transition processes along with public life.
Interfaith Dialogue on Violent Extremism (iDove Pilot Project) [Fact Sheet | External]
This document provides a brief overview of the ‘Interfaith Dialogue on Violent Extremism (iDove)’ pilot project.
‘If You Need Us, Allow Us!’ The Role of Faith-Based Organisations in Enhancing Civic Space [Synopsis | External]
Kenyan, Ethiopian, and Indonesian examples inform research regarding the historical-political context impact on opportunities for FBOs to enhance civic space.
Side by Side Advocacy Briefing: The Role of Faith Leaders in Achieving Gender Justice [Advocacy Briefing | External]
A contribution to the emerging conversation about the distinctive role of faith representatives in advocating for gender justice.
Lent to us is the Star on which we live [Discussion Paper | External]
The Evangelical Church in Germany discusses and supports the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Policy Brief: Faith Actors and the Implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees [Policy Brief | External]
A set of recommendations based on the multiple roles that faith and faith actors play across different stages and spaces of forced displacement.
Gurmat – The Art of Spiritual Wisdom: How peace from mind through knowledge of the soul can help overcoming the challenges of humankind [Book | External]
Exploring ‘Gurmat’, Khushwant Singh discusses the lessons spirituality can teach in protecting the Earth.
Freedom of Religion and Belief’s Linkage to Sustainable Development Gains High-level Attention [News | PaRD]
An overview of two important FoRB meetings where governments and policymakers focus more on freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) and how it ties into global issues like human rights and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2017

Interview: How faith leaders helped beat Ebola – Tearfund Learn [Interview | External]
Patricia Conteh was a Projects Officer for Tearfund in Sierra Leone when the Ebola virus hit the country in 2014. Here, she shares her memories of the way faith leaders changed the direction of Ebola.
Exposure to the Pope’s Climate Change Message Activated Convinced Americans to Take Certain Activism Actions [Fact Sheet | External]
This study investigates the influence of Pope Francis’s message on climate change in North America.

2016

Inter-religious engagement for Zero Hunger: Statements from religious leaders and actors [Statements | External]
A compilation of statements from religious leaders and actors on SDG 2, zero hunger.
How the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can engage with religion [News| External]
This article discusses the ways in which the SDGs emphasise holistic development and the importance of engaging religious communities.

2015

Realizing the Faith Dividend: Religion, Gender, Peace and Security in Agenda 2030 [Report | External]
This report focuses on the role of religious actors and religious considerations in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda, particularly concerning gender equality, peaceful coexistence, and security considerations.
Faith-based actors explore ways of ending extreme poverty and advancing SDGs [News | External]
This article details an event hosted by the WCC on the moral imperative to end extreme poverty and advance proposed Sustainable Development Goals.
Pope Francis visits besieged mosque in Central African Republic [News | External]
Pontiff meets imam in PK5, where 15,000 Muslims are surrounded by Christian militia, to deliver message of reconciliation, reports the Guardian.

2014

Ceasefire agreed for Central African Republic [Report | External]
As reported by France24, representatives from the Central African Republic’s interim government, civil society and different armed groups meeting Wednesday in Brazzaville agreed on a ceasefire, but there has still been no agreement on thorny issues such as disarmament.

2013

Religion and Sustainable Development: Analysing the Connections [Paper | External]
This paper argues for the inclusion of religion in sustainable development talks, along with three ways in which religion may play an important role in enabling sustainable development.

2008

The universal common good: faith-based partnerships and sustainable development [Paper | External]
Exploring partnership from the Catholic Church’s perspective, this paper examines how such collaborations can serve as a foundation for sustainability.

2007

Development and faith : where mind, heart, and soul work together [Book | External]
This book explores partnerships between development and faith institutions, driven by a shared commitment to combat poverty.

2006

Appreciating Assets: Understanding the Contribution of Religion to Universal Access in Africa [Study | External]
The study “Appreciating Assets” examines the contributions of religion and religious entities to advancing health and wellbeing in Zambia and Lesotho.

2004

Mind, Heart and Soul in the Fight Against Poverty [News | External]
This article explores the diversity of collaboration between faith institutions and development agencies.
Pro-Poor Health Services: The Catholic Health Network in Uganda [News | External]
This article documents the experiences of the Catholic health network in Uganda and its umbrella organization, the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB).