Significance of Christian faith-based institutions in the Danish development sector: a case study of Danmission
Translated title
Significance of Christian faith-based organizations in the Danish development sector: a case study of Danmission
Author
Rasmussen, Rebecca
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-02-03
Pages
44
Abstract
Siden oldtiden har religioner arbejdet for almenvellet. Mange trosbaserede organisationer (FBOs) har derfor lang erfaring med udviklingsarbejde. Alligevel er religion ofte blevet overset i den dominerende udviklingstænkning, politik og praksis. Dette er ved at ændre sig internationalt, men Danmark har været langsommere end andre nordeuropæiske lande, og debatten har været sporadisk. I Danidas rammeaftaler 2018-2021 var 6 ud af 18 strategiske partnere kristne FBOer. Specialet undersøger, om kristne FBOer bidrager med noget særligt til den danske udviklingssektor, og i givet fald hvordan. Det anvender Carole Rakodis ramme for religion og udvikling samt et casestudie af den danske kristne FBO Danmission baseret på semistrukturerede interviews. Analysen viser, at Danmission, som er en af Danidas strategiske partnere, yder et særpræget bidrag gennem fokus på dialog, især interreligiøs dialog mellem forskellige trosretninger, som middel til at forebygge og løse konflikter. Danmission styrker også lokalt engagement og diakoni, det vil sige kirkeligt socialt arbejde og omsorg, gennem langvarige partnerskaber med lokale kirker. Tilgangen er helhedsorienteret og kobler kirkeudvikling, dialog og fattigdomsbekæmpelse. Arbejdet understøtter Verdensmål 16 om fredelige og inkluderende samfund, som er grundlæggende for udvikling i lokalsamfund. Danmission søger desuden at påvirke Danida til at adressere religiøse spørgsmål i sine strategier. Et næste skridt kan være at undersøge, hvordan Danida selv opfatter kristne FBOers bidrag til den danske udviklingssektor.
Since ancient times, religions have worked for public welfare. Many faith-based organizations (FBOs) therefore have long experience in development work. Yet religion has often been overlooked in mainstream development thinking, policy, and practice. This is beginning to change internationally, but Denmark has moved more slowly than other Northern European countries, and debate has been sporadic. In Danida’s 2018-2021 framework agreements, 6 of 18 strategic partners were Christian FBOs. This thesis examines whether Christian FBOs make a distinctive contribution to the Danish development sector, and if so, how. It uses Carole Rakodi’s framework on religion and development and a case study of Danmission, a Danish Christian FBO, based on semi-structured interviews. The analysis finds that Danmission, one of Danida’s strategic partners, contributes in a distinctive way through its focus on dialogue—especially interreligious dialogue between different faiths—as a tool for preventing and resolving conflict. Danmission also fosters community engagement and diakonia, that is, church-based social service and care, through long-term partnerships with local churches. Its approach is holistic, linking church development, dialogue, and poverty reduction. This work supports Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies, which underpins development in communities. Danmission also seeks to influence Danida to address religious issues in its strategies. A useful next step would be to study how Danida itself views the contribution of Christian FBOs to the Danish development sector.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
Keywords
Documents