Berkley Center

The Berkley Center, Habitat for Humanity International (HHI), and the World Faiths Development Dialogue convened the Forum on Interfaith Engagement for Decent Shelter, which focused on the imperative need to focus more sharply and directly on assisting the world's poor. Dr. Thomas Banchoff, director of the Berkley Center, opened the day-long forum, which was moderated by Nic Retsinas, chair of the HHI Board and director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The starting point was the central role that decent shelter should play in combating poverty. HHI had suggested the meeting as part of their strategic reflections, and the topic is also central to the Berkley Center's exploration of religion and development. The forum's outcome was agreement to pursue a range of interfaith approaches to shelter issues.

Participants

• Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue​ 
• Catholic Relief Services
• CAUSE-NY/Jewish Community Relations Council of NY
  
• Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Leaders
• Episcopal Diocese of Washington
• Georgetown University
• Habitat for Humanity International Leaders
• International Housing Coalition
• Islamic Society of North America
• M.E.C.C.A. Center
• National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
• Parliament of World's Religions
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
• Sojourners/Call to Renewal
• World Bank
• World Faiths Development Dialogue