On February 20, the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI) convened its first-ever Town Hall meeting, bringing together members, partners, and stakeholders to discuss key developments and future priorities. The event reaffirmed JLI’s role as a hub for learning and collaboration, highlighting its ongoing efforts to strengthen faith-based engagement in global development.
JLI’s Continued Mission and Vision
JLI Chair Dionne opened the meeting with a strong message of unity and purpose, emphasizing that JLI is not just a network but an active learning community committed to shaping the future together. She underscored the critical role of faith actors in development and the need for better religious literacy among development professionals.
Future Directions and Challenges
Maurice provided an overview of JLI’s strategic vision, outlining a three-phase plan.
A key focus moving forward is the evolution of the State of the Evidence Report into an interactive, participatory process, ensuring greater inclusivity and engagement from the JLI community. Additionally, efforts to strengthen governance and financial sustainability remain a priority.
The discussion also touched on broader sector challenges, including funding uncertainties and shifting donor priorities. Participants emphasized the need for innovation, collaboration, and new funding models to navigate the evolving development landscape.
Member Engagement and Next Steps
A live poll conducted during the meeting provided valuable insights into member engagement preferences. Most participants favored a quarterly Town Hall format. Although this first Town Hall intentionally included a couple of presentations to inform the participants about the “state of affairs”, the poll made clear that for future Town Hall, most participants expressed a strong interest in more interactive discussion and group participation.
JLI remains committed to fostering meaningful engagement and collaboration. Members and partners are encouraged to stay involved, explore collaboration opportunities, and contribute to JLI’s mission of strengthening faith-based engagement in global development.
If you’re interested in joining the next Town Hall meeting, please reach out to us at research@jliflc.com. For further updates, visit the JLI website, subscribe to the newsletter, and follow JLI on social media.