Books by Katherine Marshall
International Development Policy, 2013
In a remarkable about-turn, development studies has discovered religion and considerable attentio... more In a remarkable about-turn, development studies has discovered religion and considerable attention is now dedicated to analysing religious non governmental organisations (NOOs). How can we understand the concept of 'religion' that is now being so widely discussed? Through a close reading of key texts, this chapter examines how religion has been constructed and for what purposes. While development scholars have given little attention to definitional concerns, a default conceptualisationsubstantivist, essentialised, ahistorical and universalis nevertheless apparent. A pervasive secular-religious dichotomy is implicit within this conceptualisa tion, constructing development as located within the secular domain, set apart from religion. Drawing upon critical scholars of religion, this chapter argues that development studies has perpetuated a 'myth of religious NGOs'. This myth arbitrarily assigns to a diverse set of development actors the status of abnormal, if still potentially useful, religious Other(s). The myth conceals the historical specificity and value-laden nature of mainstream development. The current vogue for abstracted discussions of religion should be replaced with closer attention to specific practices and particular traditions, including secular development. Studies should also show greater awareness of the political uses of 'religion'.
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Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining, 2022
Religious engagement: framing patterns and legitimacy Extractive industries present a classic cha... more Religious engagement: framing patterns and legitimacy Extractive industries present a classic challenge: they can be a mainstay and a powerful engine for good in an economy and society, but they can also be a source of distortions, tension, and conflict, to a point that the term "curse" is often applied to an abundance of such resources. Policies towards extractive industries are thus keenly debated in development strategies. A particular concern is that extractives have significant bearing on many conflicts; they are often linked to political, intra-state, and interstate conflicts that surround the control and distribution of resources, land, and the revenues these resources produce. In some instances, directly or indirectly, religious tensions and conflicts are also involved. The complexity of the diverse roles that extractive enterprises play is exemplified by how mining can be plotted to each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Columbia Center on Sustainable Development et al. 2016, 5). The many controversies around extractive industries include environmental challenges, physical scars to landscapes, inequitable distribution of benefits, propensities to large-scale corruption, and the impact on people directly and indirectly affected, including abuses of their human rights. As mining ventures extend deep into areas where indigenous communities live, their voices, rights, and ways of life are of central concern. Deep-sea mining also involves issues around disruption of the environment, and law and international justice. Each of these topics affect and involve religious communities. Extractive industries rarely involve religious institutions directly. However, distinctive aspects of both extractive policy and operations have engaged religious actors in varying advocacy and negotiation efforts. Effects of mining on communities and relationships between communities and mining companies in many regions have spurred religious activism ranging from social and spiritual support to participation in active protests against, notably, large mining operations and government support for them. Ancient traditions of artisanal mining can also give rise to tensions and conflict. The significance for national and community welfare
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PaRD brings together governmental and intergovernmental entities with diverse civil society organ... more PaRD brings together governmental and intergovernmental entities with diverse civil society organizations and faith-based organizations, to engage the social capital and capacities vested in diverse faith communities for sustainable development and humanitarian assistance in the spirit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. PaRD aims at greater and institutionalized communication and coordination between secular and non-secular actors, while fostering collaboration of its members as well as promoting cooperation with existing networks and initiatives. The partnership has three areas of engagement: knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint advocacy. PaRD is supported by an international secretariat located in Bonn and Berlin in Germany and hosted by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The secretariat is financed by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Review of Faith & International Affairs, 2021
This article focuses on the challenges of gathering, presenting, and using evidence that shapes d... more This article focuses on the challenges of gathering, presenting, and using evidence that shapes deliberate and systematic religious engagement linked to international development and humanitarian programs. It sets the topic in a historical context, exploring the abrupt shift from a general neglect of religious dimensions by many institutions to the contemporary rising interest across wide-ranging institutions. It explores the "state of the art" today, asking what knowledge is available focused specifically on religion and development and in what disciplines, pertinent research (actual and emerging), and various relevant literature reviews that assess bodies of evidence.
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Dharma World, 2020
Inclusion as a foundation for social cohesion means acceptance of the idea that pluralism and div... more Inclusion as a foundation for social cohesion means acceptance of the idea that pluralism and diversity are fundamentally beneficial to the society; it also demands a robust acceptance of the idea that all humans are equal in dignity and rights.
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UNFPA
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Routledge Handbook of Religion and Development
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Does Religion Make a Difference?, 2020
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Freedom of Religion or Belief in International Relations: Basic Principles, Nagging Debates, 2020
Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is an increasingly prominent focus in international relation... more Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is an increasingly prominent focus in international relations practice and study, and an ideal for inclusive and peaceful societies. However, the consensus as to reasons for violations and the significance of different forms of violations is weak. Both judgments and policies promoting FoRB can be divisive, with notable concerns about interference in domestic affairs and possible bias in application. Promoting FoRB is nonetheless a leading priority for some governments and communities, who view it as essential to understanding issues of peace, justice, and citizenship. Hot issues centre on the right of the individual to change religious affiliation, understanding limits of blasphemy and appropriate response, the definition of and approach to religious minorities, and gender rights. These in turn highlight the right to proselytise, and religious dimensions of family law. In several long-standing conflicts where religious identity is prominent, the rights, treatment, and aspirations of religious minorities are central issues. This has encouraged more active participation by religious actors and notably interreligious organisations in peacebuilding processes. The topic of FoRB overlaps with current approaches to engaging with religious communities in policy matters (including in the COVID-19 emergency), which in turn highlights limited religious literacy of many who occupy policy positions.
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International Journal of Educational Development, 2018
Education goals are central to global agendas for sustainable development and humanitarian action... more Education goals are central to global agendas for sustainable development and humanitarian action, but these agendas tend to deal glancingly, if at all, with religious dimensions. Religious institutions play significant parts in national and international education systems and approaches in many countries, sometimes as critical partners or significant critics. Understanding religious differences is increasingly understood as central to citizenship and peaceful societies. This article explores six topics where religious actors are particularly involved: delivery of education and outreach to underserved populations; specific education approaches for refugees and displaced populations; curricular focus on pluralism and 'religious literacy'; addressing education challenges surrounding values in education and understandings of citizenship; training of religious leaders; and advocacy for education goals and reforms.
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An anthology that applies a gendered analysis to the normative field of religious peacebuilding, ... more An anthology that applies a gendered analysis to the normative field of religious peacebuilding, lamenting its unintended negative consequences in reinforcing gender inequality. The book then tells the story of the many women religious who are working for peace around the world, within different traditions, despite little support or visibility. This is the product of a multi-year study done by the U.S. Institute of Peace in collaboration with Georgetown University's Berkley Center of Religion and World Affairs. Former President Jimmy Carter provides the book's forward. The book will be published by USIP press in Fall 2015.
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Papers by Katherine Marshall
The United Nations in February 2017 declared a famine emergency in light of the imminent danger o... more The United Nations in February 2017 declared a famine emergency in light of the imminent danger of starvation facing an estimated 20 million people in four countries, and appealed urgently for US$4 billion to meet immediate needs. Other countries face grave food shortages that present urgent humanitarian needs and undermine long term prospects for peace and development. A feature of contemporary hunger crises is their tight links to conflicts. Religious institutions and leaders are actively involved in the immediate and specific famine situation affecting African nations and Yemen and in efforts to end the conflicts that are the primary cause of famine. More broadly, religious leaders are acting to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, by 2030. The imperative to act on hunger is shared across religious divides, and the common purpose that binds different religious communities portends well for peacebuilding and progress in the affected areas. ...
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This article focuses on the challenges of gathering, presenting, and using evidence that shapes d... more This article focuses on the challenges of gathering, presenting, and using evidence that shapes deliberate and systematic religious engagement linked to international development and humanitarian programs. It sets the topic in a historical context, exploring the abrupt shift from a general neglect of religious dimensions by many institutions to the contemporary rising interest across wide-ranging institutions. It explores the "state of the art" today, asking what knowledge is available focused specifically on religion and development and in what disciplines, pertinent research (actual and emerging), and various relevant literature reviews that assess bodies of evidence.
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Routledge, Jul 22, 2016
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World Bank Publications, 2003
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The Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism, and Global Engagement, 2021
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Books by Katherine Marshall
Papers by Katherine Marshall