|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where we were before this tool was used
Multilateral Organisations (MOs), such as WHO, have traditionally not engaged closely with Faith Based Organisations (FBOs). Peter Piot, director of UNAIDS, recently commented on the history of this relationship between the UN and FBOs admitting that the UN has been slow to engage with FBOs: “it has not been an easy task due to the history of culture clashes between the faith community and the UN.” |
Where the tool came from
However, when working in the WHO HIV department, I encountered an increased willingness to acknowledge FBOs and encourage them to scale up their health work. This paper explores why there is an increasing dialogue and partnership with non-state actors such as FBOs? I found that engaging with FBOs was actually consistent with the contemporary development discourse of empowerment, participation and recognition of indigenous approaches. Such a discourse necessitates partnering with or working through developing world Faith Based Organisations (FBOs). Furthermore, partnerships between multilateral organisations (MO) and FBOs have been promoted through a neoliberal economic philosophy of privatisation. |
How the tool was implemented
. |
The outcome of using this tool
I found that a number of multilateral organisations were increasingly seeking to engage FBOs to implement their public health and development interventions. UNICEF, for example, commented that FBOs and religious groups have become important partners in UNICEF's work with children across the globe. MOs have particularly engaged with FBOs through interfaith dialogue. The World Bank assisted in creating the World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD) which through research and workshops sought to increase cooperation with faith leaders on the millennium development goals . The WFDD holds meetings facilitated through the UN on religion and development and has facilitated dialogue between religious groups and other secular development agencies such as International Monetary Fund.
If we look particularly at the WHO, engagement with FBOs has been increasing. Interestingly, prior to the 1990s, there was a dearth of WHO publications which explored the role of FBOs in health. In 1992 they commi |
What we learned
AS detailed in this paper, during my research at WHO on ‘FBOs in HIV in India’, I discovered that there are increasing opportunities for FBOs to engage with key development players such UNAIDS and the WHO. The question remains: how can community health FBOs capitalise on this increasingly sympathetic environment and improve the quality and scale of their health programs? |
|
|
|
|