Most approaches to development in the low income countries have been dominated by secular approaches and outlooks. The return of religion to the public sphere, both in the North and South, has led to a rethinking of the relationship between religion and society and, indirectly, between religions and development.
Given that religions have a major influence and on states and individuals in developing societies, it is necessary to explore in more detailed the complex relationship between religions, religious actors and institutions and the contribution to the processes of economic and social development in low income countries in the South.
This is a major international research partnership that aims to explore the relationship between several world religions, development in low income countries and poverty reduction. It is funded by the Department for International Development (UK).
The research consortium is undertaking a series of comparative research projects that address the following questions:
- How do religious values, beliefs drive the actions and interactions of individuals and faith based organisations?
- How do religious values and beliefs and religious organisations influence the relationship between states and society?
- In what ways do faith communities interact with development actors and what are the outcomes with respect to the achievement of development goals?
The research focuses on four countries: India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Tanzania (but also extends in part to Bangladesh) and covers most of the world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and African traditional belief systems. Our partners in four countries are:
- Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi, India
- Lahore university of Management Science, Lahore, Pakistan
- Nigerian Institute of Economic and Social Research, Ibadan, Nigeria
- University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The research programme explores the above questions in two ways. First, it assesses them in detail in thirteen individual research projects (research components) that focus on the following:
- Religious values and development concepts and practices, including perceptions of well-being and ways of improving the situation of poor people
- Faiths, governance and development, for example, in poverty reduction strategy processes, post-conflict peace-building and development, and the roles of religious organisations in social movements and as drivers of or hindrances to social change
- Values, religion and public sector reform, for example in combating corruption
- The involvement of religious organisations in the delivery of services such as education and health care, and the ways in which they engage with the state
- Religious transnationalism and development.
The second major objective is to develop a new conceptual framework for a better understanding the relationship between religions and development. This framework is expected to evolve from the research undertaken and interaction of research findings with the wider research community interested in this subject area.
The ultimate purpose of the research is to benefit poor people in developing countries. The teams will help to achieve this by
- engaging in and informing dialogues between development partners
- providing inputs into the formulation of development and poverty reduction policies, and
- generating materials that can be used by a range of partners, including international agencies, governments, civil society organisations, and education and training institutions.
Organisations interested in the research findings are advising the research programme and will share in research and analysis.
In addition to the research partners, links are being forged with non-academic and non-government bodies internationally, in the UK and in the four focus countries. The programme will help to build the capacity of Islamic Relief's Policy and Research Unit. Further links with international agencies, international and local non-governmental organisations, and development organisations associated with various faith traditions are being developed.
Research lead Professor Gurharpal Singh