Berkley Center

What role do faith-based initiatives play in US foreign policy? Jay Hein, deputy assistant to the president and director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, outlined the efforts of the George W. Bush administration to collaborate with faith-inspired organizations, particularly in Africa. Through targeted funding and cooperative networks, the White House program has helped to support the struggle against HIV/AIDS and malaria, and to draw public attention to pressing development challenges and find new ways to address them. The ensuing discussion centered on the proper relationship between secular governments and religious organizations in addressing common policy agendas.