In 2021, JLI launched the Fair & Equitable Approach, as part of efforts to support more fair and equitable practices in its research and evidence partnerships. Since then, JLI has taken practical steps to challenge unequal power dynamics and colonial legacies in its work in religions and development research. These actions were inspired by commitments made in JLI’s Commitment to Action on Racial Justice and Solidarity, which was published in June 2020. JLI now focuses on implementing fair and equitable practices more comprehensively across the organization – including research and knowledge work, partnerships, member engagement, external communication, and organizational culture.

We see this work as a journey. While we appreciate that we may not always get things right, we make a commitment to continuously reflect on the extent to which our work is in line with fair and equitable principles, to regularly review our progress in the areas discussed below (as well as any additional ones that may arise at a later date), and to listen and learn from partners, friends and critics, so we can continue improving our work.

These Guiding Principles for a Fair & Equitable JLI seek to expand the original commitments outlined in JLI’s Commitment to Action on Racial Justice and Solidarity. Developed in 2023 in a collaborative process involving the JLI staff, Board, and Leadership Council, the Guiding Principles aim to be both aspirational and practical steps JLI can take to ensure it fully embodies its fair and equitable values across its research and knowledge work, partnerships, member engagement, external communications, and organizational culture. It also provides an implementation plan to provide clarity on how JLI intends to put these principles into practice.

Cross-cutting with these Guiding Principles, JLI further commits to embodying values of humility, transparency, flexibility, accountability, mutual decision-making, equitable responsibility, clear communication, and mutual respect across all of its partnerships, research, and communications work.

Los Principios Rectores están disponibles en español aquí / available in Spanish here

المبادئ التوجيهيّة متاحة باللغة العربية من خلال الرابط التالي / available in Arabic here