"Religion, Faith, and Development: Navigating Emerging Trends, Challenges, and the Future of Secularism"

We invite interested authors to contribute articles for the next issue of the Development  Journal.

Description

The intersection of religion, faith, and development is a critical force that has consistently shaped societies, influencing social norms, governance, rights, and human well-being. As development frameworks evolve to tackle pressing global challenges—such as climate change, conflict, inequality, and social fragmentation—faith-based actors and their values have undeniably become powerful influences, creating both significant opportunities and formidable obstacles in the realm of development. 

Religious and faith-based organizations (FBOs) are deeply embedded in both local and global contexts, delivering essential services such as healthcare, education, humanitarian aid, and conflict mediation. However, their increasing influence prompts urgent questions regarding rights, gender equality, minority protections, and the integrity of secular development approaches. 

This upcoming journal issue focuses on the evolving relationship between religion, faith, and development. It aims to examine emerging trends, understand the factors driving these changes, critically assess potential risks, and explore methods to ensure that secular values—centered on rights, inclusivity, and pluralism—can thrive in this changing landscape. Ultimately, this work seeks to inform policies, programs, and discussions about how social contracts are being reshaped at the intersection of faith and development. 

Why is this inquiry timely and necessary?

1. The Growing Influence of Faith-Based Actors in Development 

Across regions, faith-based organizations (FBOs) are becoming increasingly visible in development programming—from humanitarian aid to health and education. Bilateral and multilateral agencies aiming to “localize” aid and engage trusted community actors have strengthened their partnerships with FBOs. At the same time, conservative religious movements are expanding their transnational influence, shaping narratives around gender, sexuality, and family structures. 

2. The Rise of Religious Nationalism and Identity Politics 

Religious identity has emerged as a potent political tool. Throughout South Asia, parts of Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, faith is weaponized to assert majoritarian control, marginalize minorities, and undermine rights-based agendas. This trend affects development efforts, spanning peacebuilding, gender equity, and democratic governance. 

3. Challenges to Secularism and Universal Rights Frameworks 

Secularism is under pressure. In some contexts, it is framed as a Western or colonial imposition, alien to local traditions. Elsewhere, secular spaces are shrinking as conservative faith groups mobilize against universal rights frameworks—particularly those concerning gender, sexuality, and reproductive rights. 

4. Global Crises Exposing Ethical and Moral Fault Lines 

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, migration, and persistent inequality have exposed profound moral and ethical challenges. Faith-based responses—both constructive and regressive—highlight the importance of understanding how religious values shape community resilience, solidarity, and social contracts. 

5. Emergence of New Forms of Religious Engagement 

Digital technologies, social media, and transnational networks allow religious actors to operate with unprecedented speed and reach, influencing public opinion, policy, and grassroots action. 

Objectives of the inquiry

1. Map Emerging Trends: Identify and analyze key global and regional trends at the intersection of religion, faith, and development, focusing on progressive and conservative dynamics.
2. Understand Drivers and Implications: Examine the underlying political, economic, social, and technological drivers behind the resurgence of religious influence in development.
3. Evaluate Risks and Opportunities: Investigate how collaboration with faith actors influences development outcomes, encompassing risks to gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, secular governance, and social inclusion.
4. Reimagine Secularism in Development: Explore ways to safeguard secular, rights-based values while constructively engaging faith actors and preventing exclusion or erosion of rights.
5. Examine the Impacts on Social Contracts: Analyze how the evolving role of religion and faith is reshaping social contracts, particularly those pertaining to citizenship, rights, and state responsibilities.
6. Propose New Approaches: Provide practical recommendations for development actors to ethically and effectively navigate this complex landscape. 

Why this matters

The intersection of religion, faith, and development represents a crucial fault line in today’s global landscape. Neglecting to engage with this complexity risks eroding rights, deepening exclusion, and undermining social cohesion. Meanwhile, thoughtful engagement presents pathways to strengthen social contracts, foster resilience, and create inclusive development futures. 

Development actors must tread carefully, centering on human rights, protecting civic spaces, and reimagining secularism in ways that resonate with diverse cultural and political realities. The stakes are high: at risk is the very possibility of achieving equitable, just, and sustainable development for all. 

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstracts should be maximum 400 words and must include the following information:
  • Proposed title of the article.
  • A clear indication of the scope and focus of the article rather than the background of the issue.
  • Lead/corresponding author, along with the list of co-author(s), if any, with the indication of the institution(s) of affiliation, city, and country.
• Articles should be approximately 4,000-6,000 words (though there is some flexibility in length), including references.
• All abstracts, inquiries, and papers must be submitted in English via email to development@sidint.org.*
• Please follow the Journal's formatting and referencing guidelines, which can be accessed here.
• Please find the Journal Editorial Statement here.

Important Dates:

• Abstract Deadline: 30 April 2025
• Abstract Feedback (Notice of Acceptance): 9 May 2025
• Articles Deadline: 31 July 2025
• Expected Publication: October 2025 – online, November 2025 – print

For any additional inquiries related to this issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Editorial Team at development@sidint.org.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

*While the journal is published in English, we can selectively consider submissions in Arabic, French, and Spanish. For submissions in any other languages, please contact the journal team at the email address above.