Resources

Conducted by Soka Gakkai Youth Division COVID-19 pandemic has continued to have a major impact on many aspects of life, including work, private life, human relationships and thus, it has made us reflect on how we have lived our life…

The COVID-19 lockdown has revealed –across the entire world –the challenges of parenting and shown how many parents are eager to learn simple strategies that can make a big difference to their daily family life, wherever they live. As a…

This review of literature includes spirituality definitions and measurements in children.

On August 26, the MEAL Hub discussed research progress on the compendium of case studies around good practices for local faith actor engagement in M&E. Nathan Mallonee presented on “How Living Water has used the Most Significant Change process as…

Becoming One is a religious couples’ counselling programme designed to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). It is delivered by Faith Leaders who teach communication skills, emotional regulation, shared control over finances, sexual consent and pleasure. Couples attend 12 in-person group…

Guidance for effective approaches to collaborations with Churches in the Pacific for development research September 2018 This Guide, ‘How to Collaborate with Pacific Churches for Development Research’, is a practical resource to assist Australian-based researchers and Australian and international development…

Interim guidance 25 July 2020 On the occasion of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, WHO has issued interim guidance entitled "Eid al-Adha safe practices in the context of COVID-19 pandemic". The document highlights public health advice for social and…

The houses of worship can become minarets of sustainability and examples of how religious beliefs demonstrate the concept of stewardship and human responsibility towards the environment, in the same symbol of the religion, i.e. the house of worship. It is…

This toolkit is published by ACT Alliance EU, Caritas Europa, EU-CORD and Islamic Relief Worldwide  to give EU decision-makers a concise practical tool to encourage engagement of local religious leaders and faith communities in pandemic response and the post-recovery phase.…

This report is centred on a project to Reduce Human Trafficking in Marginalised Communities of Rautahat District. Rauthat is a multi-ethnic, multilinguistic district on the border with India. It is also home to some of the most marginalised groups in…

Suggestions and good practices for Sunday schools, church-run schools and summer camps to implement the “Churches’ Commitments to Children” This toolkit provides resources for churches, church-run schools, and summer camps to support intergenerational climate and environmental justice and promote care…

Background: Community-level reconciliation, essential in conflict-affected contexts, involves efforts to promote intergroup relationships and to build trust. These processes are related to the development of social capital, which alongside the reduction of horizontal inequalities is a key component of social…

Globally, an estimated one out of two children aged 2–17 years old suffer some form of violence each year. Over their lifetime, children exposed to violence are at increased risk of mental and physical health problems, and negative educational outcomes.…

A joint JLI - WFDD - Berkley Center Initiative on COVID-19 March 11, 2020 Webinar The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the greatest challenges in both global health and religious practice today. How are religious institutions, beliefs, leaders, and practices…

This report draws on 10 case studies to examine child participation experiences related to different forms of violence, spanning initiatives driven by governments, international organizations and civil society. It zooms in on children’s roles, the methods used, the balance between…

A joint JLI - WFDD - Berkley Center Initiative on COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic intersects with long-standing food security and nutrition issues, especially in East Africa. Has the agenda on food security shifted with the coronavirus crisis, and if so,…

A joint JLI - WFDD - Berkley Center Initiative on COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic intersects with the long-standing humanitarian crisis around the borderlands between the United States, Mexico, and the northern triangle countries of Central America. How is the pandemic…

This article draws on anthropological field work conducted during the West African Ebola outbreak (2014-2016) and reports of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis to discuss the role played by religion in infectious disease control.While much separates Ebola and Covid-19, the religious…

Religious leaders and institutions have been a vital part of the global response to HIV and AIDS since the early days of the epidemic. However, the faith-based response to HIV must be scaled up significantly if we are to end…

In early March, three individuals, with the support of our organizations launched an effort to track how the world’s different religious communities and institutions were responding to the COVID-19 emergency. Katherine and Olivia (the two authors) and Dave Robinson had…

A joint resource from the Anglican Consultative Council and the Anglican Alliance COVID-19 has had, and is having, a significant impact on communities around the world. As a result, governments are putting different measures in place to control the outbreak.…

Series 3: Resource Guide for Religious Leaders and Faith Communities Certain groups of people are at greater risk of complications and death. These include the elderly and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. People…

Series 2: Resource Guide for Religious Leaders and Faith Communities Ensuring trust, mental health, spiritual guidance, and social support are essential during a pandemic, when people are coping with intensified levels of fear, uncertainty, loss, and anxiety. Based on their…

Series 1: Resource Guide for Religious Leaders and Faith Communities During a global crisis people tend to turn to their religious leaders and faith communities for social, emotional, spiritual, and material support. National and global institutions, including religious, political, and…

The report highlights findings from our research and recommendations from the pilot of the Bridge Builder Model for humanitarian organisations and donors seeking ways to increase localisation in humanitarian response. This is a two-way, capacity-sharing model aimed at bringing together…

Learning Exchange with Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik from Alliance for Peacebuilding June 17, 2020 Presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TH7pVwINFk&feature=youtu.be Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik, Senior Director of Learning & Evaluation at Alliance for Peacebuilding, presented on the Eirene Peacebuilding Database, AfP's #CreativityInCrisis video series, and the Effective Inter-religious…

We recognize different faith traditions may approach matters of mental illness from different perspectives. Some faith communities may not believe that modern medicine of the sort described in this Guide can play a legitimate role in well being. The purpose…

Cameroon Faith for Positive Change for Children - Journey of Change slide Cameroon WorkRock page

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SPEECH FOR THE CLOSING CEREMONY By Rev Dr Felix Chingota, Chairperson of PAC On 15th November 2019 at Linde Motel, Mponela, Malawi Malawi WorkRock page

Speech by Chief Information Officer - Mrs Grace Kwalapu at Closing Ceremony of WorkRock in Mponela Malawi WorkRock page

TALKING POINTS UNICEF Representative Rudolf Schwenk Workrock: Faith and Positive Change for Children in Malawi Monday, 11 November 2019 Linde Motel, Dowa Malawi WorkRock page

TALKING POINTS UNICEF Deputy Representative Margarita Tileva Closing Remarks - Workrock: Faith and Positive Change for Children in Malawi Friday, 15 November 2019 Linde Motel, Dowa Malawi WorkRock page

Situated within post-colonial development critique, this article explores prevalent attitudes of development practitioners towards religion and their potential policy and practice impacts. The discussion draws on evidence from interviews and document analyses of government aid agencies, their recipient organisations, and…

The aim of this cross-sectional study is two-fold. First, it investigates the barriers experienced by sexually exploited Cambodian women when integrating into Christian churches. Second, it explores pastors’ perspectives towards sexually exploited women integrating into churches. A mixed-method approach to…

It becomes ever clearer that climate change is the greatest challenge that we and future generations face; a true horseman of the apocalypse. This book comes at a crucial time. Without swift, decisive action, the consequences of climate change will…

Three main types of faith-based responses were identified by the scoping study, which span the prevention and care continuum. These range from small, informal grassroots responses to structured organizational programs and the formal role that faith actors often play within…

This is book is about a church where members are physically separated from one another due to specific heath concerns and safety regulations. Yet the church is still called to be a social institution, where people engage, support, and care…

This briefing paper provides key messages on the main issues for ACT Alliance as we address the gendered dimensions of COVID-19 and our response. It spells out recommendations for ACT Alliance members and other stakeholders beyond the Alliance, such as…

This new report –published during Christian Aid Week –warns that without immediate and decisive action, Covid-19 could trigger a grave disaster for people in the poorest countries and communities, who are ill-equipped to cope with the ruinous effects of the…

Council on Foreign Relations Webinar, May 14, 2020 Mary Evelyn Tucker, senior lecturer, senior research scholar, and codirector of the Forum of Religion and Ecology at Yale University, discusses religion and climate change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbzc3XxzZZ4&feature=youtu.be You can access the webinar and transcript here.

Many promising initiatives remain that are currently informal practices or not documented. This means that robust and detailed documentation on impact and causality must be a priority and should underlie all initiatives in this area. Future research topics emerged in…

As religious actors and networks of faith-based organizations, we are called to work together for gender equality and justice, amid global changes, rising nationalism, and conflict. We are living in changing global, regional, and national environments. As COVID-19 spreads around…

For use by all Seventh-day Adventist Churches Pastors and Elders may use these guidelines as they lead their churches in various countries as well as in radio and television interviews and social media. They can also serve as sermon guidelines…

On June 1st, JLI’s Ending Violence Against Children Hub hosted the second event of their ongoing series.  The hub discussed the role of religious leaders and faith communities as first responders to violence against children. Agenda: Introduction to the role of…

See the resource below for FIVE WAYS faith leaders and communities can protect children from violence. Related readings: Arigatou International Faith in Action for Children  in response to COVID-19 , videos of children's and religious leaders' perspectives, includes 12 Messages and…

This Resource Guide is part of a series of briefs meant to inform and inspire faith communities to action to help safeguard tropical forests and their inhabitants. Through facts, graphics, analysis, photos, and faith-inspired perspectives, this Resource Guide presents the…

Published in Consultation with Senior Scholars The current coronavirus pandemic has spread rapidly across the globe, completely changing people’s lives. This also includes the Muslim community, who have been affected in a variety of ways. In writing this booklet, we…

On 21st May 2020 the Alliance for the Protection of Children launched a Guide for the Prevention of Violence Against Children, developed under the leadership of Arigatou International, to support and inspire the work of faith-based organizations and communities in the area of…

The book addresses developments in the discourse on religion and development, globally. It outlines the major debates and highlights the emerging consensus that religion remains important. An overview of development in Zimbabwe and the controversies regarding politics, particularly under the…

This groundbreaking new research investigates current knowledge and raises awareness of child abuse linked to faith or belief. Internationally, cases of child abuse linked to faith or belief (CALFB) continue to cause concern (Bartholomew, 2015; Hansen & Ruggiero, 2013). In…

This action plan is intended to help raise awareness of the issue of child abuse linked to faith or belief and to encourage practical steps to be taken to prevent such abuse. It has been developed through partnership on the…

Forced migrant survivors of SGBV constitute some of the most marginalised groups within countries of refuge. This report explores the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on forced migrant survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the organisations which support…

Reports on JLI’s 2019 progress on goals in Evidence, Knowledge Partnerships, Communications and Advocacy while highlighting projects and learning hub work.

This resource was published in May 2020 as part of Tearfund’s ​Guidance for churches on how to support older people during the Covid-19 pandemic​. Click here to read the full manual with references Click here to view the poster Contexts…

The aim of this guide is to share key information relating to older people during the Covid-19 pandemic and to prompt meaningful thinking about and engagement with older people in churches and communities . Churches are in a good position…

Local, national, and international faith-based organizations and health care COVID-19 response Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI) wanted to learn how faith-based organizations and health care providers in international…

Empowering and engaging directly with children is viewed by experts to be essential to ending violence against children. Child participation is itself a protective factor from violence, by treating children as agents who need to be involved in decisions, who…

Evidence confirms historical and current cases of unreported violence against children within religious institutions across multiple faiths. In efforts to maintain a positive reputation or due to a lack of knowledge on child rights, faith communities have perpetuated violence against…

Faith actors are in a unique position to provide services that address the root causes of violence against children. These root causes include family breakdown, lack of resources, harmful attitudes surrounding gender and children, and lack of education and caregiver…

Faith communities can improve their safeguarding approaches to violence against children by identifying gaps in understanding of child protection policies within their faith institutions. Faith institutions can implement standards and protocols that clarify how to appropriately interact with children, how…

Faith leaders and communities are leading initiatives to create and support systems that work to protect children on both household and national levels. This page presents examples and provides resources that demonstrate how faith actors can support the formal elements…

This article examines the engagement of Indonesian Islamic civil society organisations in the international arena by paying particular attention to the role of the Islamic modernist movement, Muhammadiyah. Beyond its vibrant religious and social activism in the domestic context of…

Faith actors and communities can prevent violence against children by working to shift harmful attitudes and practices towards children. In addition to emphasizing child protection messaging, religious leaders can utilize their trusted positioning to recognize and report cases of violence…

Faith actors can serve as important partners to global and governmental initiatives to end violence against children. Faith-based organizations can have greater social capital than governments and NGOs, and are able to reach and influence the public more regularly and…

Faith actors and communities can serve as first responders to violence against children (VAC). They are able to report and refer cases of abuse, provide emergency support, offer psychological and spiritual counseling, and present communities with important child protection information. …

This research was conducted in March and April 2020 to explore children's and young people’s reflections and perceptions on the COVID-19 outbreak. Children and young people have already started mobilising themselves, using online platforms to share their experiences and support…

The International Consortium on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood for the Prevention of Violence developed these country-specific advocacy booklets based on the reflections of religious leaders and other stakeholders collected during a series of roundtable discussions in 2019…

All children should be cared for in a family environment by their parents, relatives or other loving adults. But there are growing numbers of children who do not enjoy this most basic right and suffer from neglect and extreme vulnerability.…

As COVID-19 continues to require physical distancing (also known as social distancing), it is important to understand the effects these conditions are placing on vulnerable people caught in abusive relationships or human trafficking situations, as well as survivors of both.…

Given the challenges faced with ongoing efforts to contain the spread of Ebola that arise as a result of incompatibilities between some religious and cultural practices and prescribed scientific methods, it is high time we explore ways in which traditional…

This is a living document. It is up-to-date as of April 2020. We expect that new resources will be issued and can be used in addition to this document in the future. This document was produced in a short time…

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change published on-line advisory materials on government engagement with religious leaders to help address Covid-19. Guidelines for Governments Working with Religious Leaders to Support Public-Health Measures. Read it in French or Portuguese An associated…

CAFOD sees violence against women and girls as a violation of human rights. "Over the next few pages we will be sharing the voices of women and men who are working to end sexual and gender-based violence, and the voices…

This article is based on the findings of a 40-day summative evaluation (Brown, 2016) that was carried out at the end of the SCORE ECD project, employing a triangulating data collection method that included 20 focus group discussions of 30-90…

Religions are increasingly being regarded as relevant partners in international development cooperation due to their special attributes. However, to date there has been little research into what the special attributes of religious development agencies actually are or how such organisations…

The WCC and UNICEF formed a partnership, and they have agreed to work very hard to create ideas to help make churches welcoming, safe, and fun places for children all over the world to be. These ideas needed to explain…

Local faith-based organisations (FBOs) and faith leaders played important roles in the Ebola response in DRC. Unfortunately, however, the international and national response was slow to recognise their contribution. Funding and decision-making on the response centred on UN and host…

Number 77 March 2020 This edition of Humanitarian Exchange, co-edited with Anne Harmer, focuses on the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Although at the time of publication the outbreak appeared to have ended,…

The Interfaith Health Program, in collaboration with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the World Council of Churches, has created a set of guidance documents designed to offer practical information and suggestions for infection control for individuals and…

April 23rd 2020 Discussion This discussion focused on changes to MEAL practices during COVID-19 response and opportunities for MEAL to be leveraged. MEAL Hub members focused on their organizations experience with Revising: How are you revising your MEAL practices in…

This document offers guidance on determining whether to carry out monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities in the context of COVID‑19 and, if so, how to safely conduct them. It provides additional recommendations based on CRS’ experience, to be used…

This presentation was given as a part of the MEAL hub's webinar on COVID-19 response.

Based on collaborative research with faith groups and organisations in Nigeria, the Solomon Islands and Zanzibar (Tanzania), this paper examines faith-based forms of violent conflict prevention. It argues that faith-based approaches exist on a spectrum, from instinctive and ad hoc…

The highly infectious nature of the novel coronavirus has led religious authorities around the Muslim world to issue guidance and fatwas on the obligation for Muslims to adapt and change their religious practice in order to preserve life. Islamic Relief…

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 behaviors…

This book by a mastermind of integrating theology and ecology surveys the pressing global and local environmental issues and seeks to provide biblical and theological insights for Christians concerned with the ecological and environmental challenges being confronted today. Breaking away…

Religion can, has, and does play a key role in motivating and framing diverse forms of support for refugees and asylum-seekers around the world. This report draws on over 300 in-depth interviews conducted with refugees, members of local host communities…

Religions for Peace has six strategic goals: 1. Promote Peaceful, Just & Inclusive Societies 2. Advance Gender Equality 3. Nurture a Sustainable Environment 4. Champion Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Religion 5. Strengthen Inter religious Education 6. Foster Multi Religious…

The Philippines is a deeply religious society, and institutions and beliefs permeate social, economic, and political institutions. Religious actors are thus deeply engaged in development, from debates and ideas about directions to politics and on the ground implementation. A large…

“Created in Gods Image” Southern Africa Faith Leaders Support Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for All We, as members of the faith community, believe that we cannot stand by and watch when our people are without information on Sexual and…

“We can no longer be silent as we are called to uphold human dignity for all creation” Faith Communities Respond to Gender-Based Violence Our Southern Africa region is struggling with the epidemic of gender-based violence. It is perpetrated in our…

“We will walk every step with our Children” Southern African Faith Leaders Commit to Respond to Teenage Pregnancy We, the faith community in Southern Africa (African Traditional Religion, Baha’i faith, Christian and Muslim) view children as whole human beings who…

En Francais: NIGER PLAN D'ACTIONS The Action Plan details the steps to take on promoting child care and well-being in Niger from January to December 2020. The topics include health, education, child protection, child nutrition and hygiene and clean environment…

En Francais: ARGUMENTAIRE RELIGIEUX HARMNISE RELATIVE A LA PROMOTION DES DROITS L’ENFANT (FILLE ET GARCON) AU BIEN-ETRE This religious document relating to the Rights of the child (Girl and Boy) and their well-being, is the result of a commitment by…

Learning Exchange with MEAL WG member, Subodh Kumar from Food for the Hungry February 19 Presentation Subodh Kumar presents on lessons from Food for the Hungry's experience in building organizational EL&A culture Where Food for the Hungry came from Introduction…

This year World Environment Day 2019 coincides with Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Iyad Abumoghli, of the United Nations Faith for Earth Initiative, explains how all religions call upon us to protect the…

The Faith for Earth initiative from UN Environment is uniting religions around the world to focus on environmental issues. At the environment assembly 135 faith leaders from 12 different religions came together to talk about using the influence of faith…

Monitoring the objectives of the project indicated in the message addressed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers to “consider the possibility of setting up an Islamic academy for environment and sustainable Development to…

Faith-based organisations (FBO) have been active in promoting climate action, campaigning and diffusing information about climate change and innovating for sustainable consumption and production. They also possess great potential in mobilising more members of civil society and government bodies to…

"The way we Christians talk about our responsibility for creation and to our neighbors should not be entirely controlled by the scientific and ideological arguments coming either from the right or from the left. The great biblical narrative of creation,…