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HDCA Faith & Development Group

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The Human Development and Capability Association has established a number of 'thematic groups', to bring together academics working on particular areas of economics and human development.  The Contextual Theology Centre is hosting the HDCA thematic group on 'Faith and Development' - which gathers a network of social scientists and theologians interested in the role of faith communities in promoting development.  

To join the thematic group please e-mail the co-ordinators (see below)

There is a widespread belief that religion is bound to conflict with development and human freedom. For some, religion is a comfort to poor people that distracts them from their economic concerns.  For others, religion is so mixed with authority and misogyny that it can but clash with the development goals of democracy and women’s agency. For still others, bringing religion in the public sphere is most likely to bring violence and intolerance with regard to those who do not belong to the same faith groups. 

The reality of development is more complex - and suggests that religion can play a crucial role in poverty reduction. Faith communities have often developed effective grassroots institutions that serve and care for those in extreme poverty. Faith traditions have often inspired followers to alleviate human suffering, to nurture solidarity and transnational bonds of affiliation.  While not neglecting the potential negative effects that religion may play in promoting development and human freedom, this network believes that religion and faith communities can indeed make a significant contribution to promoting the freedoms that people have reason to choose and value. 

Dr Séverine Deneulin, University of Bath (s.deneulin@bath.ac.uk)

Revd Angus Ritchie, CTC and Magdalen College, Oxford (director@theology-centre.org)