Luce/SFS Program on Religion and International Affairs

Religion and Global Development. Under the leadership of Professor Katherine Marshall, this program area addresses the role of faith-inspired groups and ideas in both donor and developing countries with the goal of improving policy making and fostering collaboration. Its components include new undergraduate and graduate courses; a series of global consultations on the role of faith-inspired organizations (thus far in Washington, DC; The Hague; Antigua, Guatemala, and Phnom Penh) and issue surveys (thus far on HIV/AIDs, Gender, Shelter, Governance, Malaria and Tuberculosis), and the Religion and Development Database. Activities planned for 2010-11 include a South Asian consultation, two further issue surveys, and a conference on religion, migration, and development.

>> Religion and Global Development program page

>> Visit the Religion and Development Database, a comprehensive mapping of research and action across world regions and issue areas.

Religion and US Foreign Policy. This program area examines the domestic and international dimensions of religion as a foreign policy issue for the United States. Led by Professor Thomas Farr, its key components include new undergraduate and graduate courses; conferences on the religion/politics interface in key countries (Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel); and symposia on the origins, trajectory, and future of US international religious freedom policy. Two new projects were launched with major conferences in 2009-10 -- on religion in the foreign policy of the Obama administration, and on the global politics of proselytism. A further conference in each program area is scheduled for the 2010-11 academic year.

>> Religion and US Foreign Policy program page

Government Outreach/Short Courses for Professionals. Coordinated by Professor Eric Patterson, this program area involves the development of short courses for US government and military officials designed to improve their knowledge of religion as it intersects with foreign policy and global development issues. The courses are supported by a series of case studies and country overviews that address the role of religion around critical issue areas. A first three-day seminar was held in collaboration with National Defense University in June 2009 on the theme of "The Religious Dynamics of War and Peace." 2009-10 activities, including further seminars and symposia with NDU, military chaplains, and regional commands, will be expanded in 2010-11

>> Government Outreach program page

Religion and International Affairs Networks. Through a series of linked websites, the networks project shares knowledge about religion and international affairs and enable greater communication among scholars and practitioners. Regional mappings encompassing the United States, Europe, and Asia, track organizations, programs, people events at universities, think tanks, foundations, and the media working at the religion/international affairs nexus, including those supported by the Luce Foundation. As part of the networks project, the Luce/SFS program convened a meeting in Berlin in June 2010 that brought together scholars and media and foundation leaders on both sides of the Atlantic working in this area. Further meetings are planned for Oxford, UK, and Washington, DC.

>> Religion and International Affairs page

The events, programs, and online resources enabled through the Luce/SFS program have fostered collaboration among the following SFS programs and centers at Georgetown: the Institute for the Study of International Migration, the Security Studies Program, the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, the Program for Jewish Civilization, and the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.

» Luce/SFS Program Summary Report
» Luce/SFS Program Annual Report 2009-2010
» Luce/SFS Program Annual Report 2008-2009
» Luce/SFS Program Annual Report 2007-2008
» Luce/SFS Program Annual Report 2006-2007