Symposium on Global Development and Institutions inspired by Faith

On December 17, 2007, the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar held a Symposium on Global Development, Organizations, and Faith in the Muslim world. The symposium is a consultation event co-sponsored by the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and the Henry R. Luce Foundation and was geared to practitioners working across the Muslim world. Participants in the symposium included Mehran Kamrava, Director of the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS); Salman Shaikh, Director for Policy and Research at the Office of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned; Hady Amr, Director of Brookings, Qatar; Sameer Jarrah, Director of the Arab World Center for Democratic Development and Omnia Nour, Director of ROTA, among other distinguished guests.

The symposium is part of an ongoing joint Luce/SFS multi-year research focusing on issues involving institutions which play critical roles in social and economic development that are, in a variety of ways, inspired by and linked to faith. The objectives of this project are to establish a solid information base about the nature of institutions and the work they do (a “mapping” of institutions and activities), to take stock of the dynamics and direction they are taking, and to explore the agenda of policy issues involved, including relationships to secular development institutions, political and social ramifications of their work, and approaches and work styles that distinguish these institutions and their leadership from other institutions working in this field.

The joint Luce/SFS Program is examining the role of religious groups and ideas in both donor and developing countries, and the prospects for greater religious-secular cooperation in the development field. Dr. Mehran Kamrava, Director of the Center for International and Regional Studies said that “the program will be fully integrated into the Georgetown University curriculum and the students will benefit greatly from engaging directly with the research results and actively participating in the creation of a database concerning faith-related organizations, both governmental and non-governmental (NGOs).” According to Dr. Kamrava, the initiative is testimony to commitment by Georgetown University and CIRS to encourage in-depth scholarship and to also provide a forum for dialogue and exchange of ideas. By spring 2008, the program will have institutionalized classes and student research support within the undergraduate and graduate curricula; generated publications and scholarly resources that help to define interdisciplinary debates; and established institutional linkages between the academic and policy communities around questions of religion and international affairs.

The first stage of investigation focused on the United States, and it culminated in a conference held at Georgetown in April 2007. This conference focused on emerging issues, including distinctive elements of faith-inspired development work, financing sources and trends, relationships with governments, sensitivities around proselytizing work, and priorities and areas of focus. The second stage of investigation focuses on the Muslim world. This will involve the role of non-state institutions in majority Muslim countries, with special focus on those inspired by faith, as well as the emerging role of global Muslim inspired institutions, including Islamic Relief, the Red Crescent Society, and the Aga Khan Network. Further phases will explore European faith inspired institutions, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The project will be completed by spring 2009 and will be summarized at its conclusion in a book. The work will be pursued in partnership with other institutions working in the field, in the United States and overseas.