Religion and Sustainable Development

July 9, 2015

Thematic Focus: Scale

Overview of Evidence

John BlevinsInterfaith Health Program, Emory University

Overview of Evidence

I. What we know… and what we don’tII. Two important questions for applied

researcha) The characteristics of unaffiliated FBOsb) The characteristics of FBOs from traditions

outside of Christianity

III. Appreciating the moral vision of religious traditions in an “evidence-based” world

Overview of EvidenceWhat we know… and what we don’t

I. Faith-based organizations and health systems are significant providers of health services. But we simply do not know the scope of their contributions.• Jill Olivier and Quentin Wodon, “Playing Broken Telephone: Assessing Faith-inspired

Health Care Provision in Africa,” Development in Practice 22, nos. 5-6 (2012), 819-834.

• John Blevins and Emily Griswold, Essential Partners: The Scope of the Contributions of Faith-based Health Systems to HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Support Services in Kenya, Atlanta: Interfaith Health Program, 2014.

II. These organizations are widely trusted… but for some they underwrite stigma and discrimination.• John Blevins and Emmy Corey, Valuing Every Human Life: How Faith-Based Organizations

Can Support Key Populations with HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Support Services, Atlanta: Interfaith Health Program, 2013.

Overview of EvidenceImportant Questions for Further Research

I. The characteristics of unaffiliated FBOs• Nathan Grills, “The Paradox of Multilateral Organizations Engaging with Faith-based

Organizations,” Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations, 15, no. 4 (2009), 505-520.

II. The characteristics of FBOs from traditions outside of Christianity.• Michael Barnett and Janice Gross Stein, eds. Sacred Aid: Faith and Humanitarianism,

New York: Oxford, 2012.

Overview of EvidenceAppreciating the power of the moral vision of

religious traditions in an “evidence-based” world

I. Evidence is not primary for religious traditions. Respectful partnership requires some capacity to understand the moral frameworks that undergird religious expression and practice.• Paul Farmer, Gustavo Gutierrez, and Michael Griffin, In the Company of the Poor:

Conversations with Paul Farmer and Gustavo Gutierrez, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013.

II. This moral vision will, at times, be at odds with the agendas and priorities of multilateral organizations and global funders.• Jarrett Zygon, HIV is God’s Blessing: Rehabilitating Morality in Neoliberal Russia,

Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2010.

Questions? Comments?

Thank you

John Blevinsjohn.blevins@emory.edu

404-727-6338