Berkley Center

This summary report was prepared for the November 7, 2011 “capstone” conference at Georgetown University, "Faith-Inspired Development — Lessons Learned and Next Steps: Appraising the Luce/SFS Program on Religion and Global Development." It examines the findings and outcomes of a more than five-year Henry R. Luce Foundation supported project on Faith-Inspired Actors in Global Development, a project that has reflected a partnership with the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. The work involved a combination of literature reviews (many involving students at Georgetown University), regional and issues focused consultations and colloquia, and a significant series of in-depth interviews with practitioners.

Specifically, the project research examined six different broadly defined world regions and eight development issues. It has produced in total of 28 background reviews, 14 consultation events and corresponding meeting reports, and some 200 formal interviews (available on the website) with development practitioners, faith leaders, and scholars. This report summarizes and thus draws on the series of reports and interviews, all available on the Berkley Center website. Reflections on the growing body of scholarly work on religion and development are the core of the respective desk reviews, which inform this summary report. Further and related information, notably the pilot country focused work on Cambodia, is on the WFDD website.

The report was prepared under the supervision of and with inputs from Katherine Marshall. Its principal author was Michael Bodakowski. Louis Ritzinger provided research support and substantial inputs were provided by Melody Fox Ahmed, Hahna Fridirici, Claudia Zambra, and Elizabeth Bliss. The report reflects comments received on the report and thoughtful comments by participants in the November conference and other colleagues are gratefully acknowledged.