NEWS
The International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD)
Launched in 2016, USAID and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) established the
International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development
(PaRD) to better organize and engage bilateral and multilateral entities with the faith-based community towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Secretariat also produced and manages a
World Map
to better identify overlap amongst its partners and members, and research being done on the intersection of religion and development.
U.S. Department of State Combatting Trafficking In-Persons Report 2017
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson noted in this year's report that "Human trafficking is one of the most tragic human rights issues of our time."
One of this year's report heroines is Sister Vanaja Jasphine who has
worked to inform authorities and civil society leaders, including those in the religious community and media partners, about human trafficking, especially on patterns of movement that create vulnerabilities in
Northwest Region of Cameroon.
For full access to the article, please click the link
here.
Saint'Egidio and the Central African Republic Peace Process
In late June,
The Community of Sant'Egidio mediated a
cease fire and roadmap to peace
in the Central African Republic between representatives of the numerous political and military groups and envoys from President Touadera. The agreement enacted a general ceasefire among parties, while also reaffirming the will to respect the integrity of the national territory, the representatives and the recognition of all political and military groups for the reconstruction of the country, the respect for the results of the 2016 presidential and legislative elections and, more generally, the work to build "a dynamic of reconciliation." The full political agreement can be found
here
.
USAID Acting on the Call Report 2017
USAID's
Bureau for Global Health released the fourth
Acting on the Call Report. This year's report
provides quantitative estimates of the value of investing in strengthening health systems in terms of the lives that will be saved. The report shows how
the scale-up of health systems interventions are an essential element of achieving high impact maternal and child health interventions.
|
|
Highlights
F
a
ith
Works Africa: High-L
evel Forum of Pan-African Religious Leaders
|
|
 |
| (photo credit: RfP Africa) |
|
Religious Leaders (ACRL), and the GHR Foundation convened a Pan-African Religious Leaders and Communities Forum in Abuja, Nigeria. The overarching goal of the forum was to strengthen inter-religious collaboration and partnership to advance peace, good governance, and sustainable development in Africa. The event was attended by over 250 African religious leaders from 28 sub-Saharan African countries, including women of faith and youth, representatives of governments, civil society organizations, foundations, and media. In addition, 50 prominent religious leaders from outside Africa also participated.
United Nations Strategic Learning Exchange
CFBCI joined this year's United Nations Strategic Learning Exchange to develop literacy around religion and development through presentation and involved discussion of case studies dealing with the issues of poverty, humanitarian relief and service provision, gender equity and gender based violence, and peace and security. Both UNIATF and UNFPA reports on religious actors' engagement in sustainable development can be found
here and
here.
USAID Hosts Graduate Students and Faculty from Liberty University
To further broaden USAID's engagement with U.S. university communities, CFBCI hosted ten students from
Liberty University's Masters of
Public Health program on April 20, along with several staff, to discuss the work of USAID globally, the work of CFBCI and how the faith-based community is a key partner to sustainable development, and career opportunities for those graduating from their Masters program this year and in coming years.
USAID Hosts Christian Connections for International Health Members
|
|
|
(photo credit: CCIH) |
Global South
Memb
ers of Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) met with USAID CFBCI and Africa Bureau staff to discuss each of their organizations' health and humanitarian efforts and challenges working in their respective countries.
|
|
USAID Business
If you would like to receive regular updates about events and conference calls about the business forecast for external partners register here.
You can also search USAID's business forcast for upcoming opportunities.
|
The staff in the Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives are often called on to suggest resources on various development and humanitarian assistance issues and themes that intersect with religion. We are seeking your expertise. Do you or your organization have resources that explains how religious dynamics impact a contemporary international development issue? If so, please email your recommendations to
along with a brief description of the theme it encompasses.
|
|
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides this newsletter service to further engage and enhance cooperation with the international development community. The listing of events, meetings or organizations in this newsletter do not constitute support or endorsement of any specific ideas, concepts or organizations by the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
|
|
|
|
|
