In November, representatives from around the world gathered in Stellenbosch, South Africa – or dialed in – for the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development’s (PaRD) General Assembly of Members (GAM). At this year’s GAM, PaRD members focused on global issues under the motto “Shared Future, Shared Path”. The agenda topics emphasised the contribution of religious actors to sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19.
Dr Elisabet Le Roux, Stellenbosch University, presented a new Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLIFLC) study on Religion and Gender in donor policies and practice that examines how donors view and work with religious actors in interventions for gender equality (SDG5). How well this concern is mainstreamed in policies and practice was a key question. The session concluded with a solution–oriented discussion moderated by Kirsten Laursen Muth, JLIFLC and Jørgen Thomsen DanChurchAid/ACT Alliance. Whilst progress is visible, the session recommended that PaRD uses the report for further policy discussion and to ensure that all stakeholders live up to the principles they wish to promote. It was also suggested that the PaRD Gender Equality and Empowerment work–stream organises a tri–party gender policy consultation in 2022.
View the detailed summary report of the GAM 2021