On the Significance of Religion for the SDGs An Introduction

This timely volume addresses the rising interest in the role of religion in global issues worldwide. The ambitious Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as the framework for this exploration, discussing questions such as: What role does religion play in poverty and poverty alleviation? How does religion inspire people in combatting gender inequality? What is religion’s role in fueling conflict and which resources can religion offer for peace and reconciliation? Based on the conviction that not one single faith tradition or discipline can adequately address the complexity of current global issues, this book brings in the perspectives of different faith traditions and different disciplines. Combining cutting-edge research with case studies and concrete implications for academics, policymakers, and practitioners, this concise and easily accessible volume helps to build bridges between these different actors and their engagement. It serves as the introductory volume to the series, Religion Matters: On the Significance of Religion in Global Issues. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Notes on the Author, List of Contributors, Foreword, Executive Summary, List of Abbreviations, Introduction, PART I: The Rise of Religion in Development – Background and Current Trends, 1. Religion Matters – Rediscovering Religion, 2. The Sustainable Development Goals and Religion – The Rise of Faith Actors in Development, 3. Meet the Family – Religion’s Different Faces in Development, 4. What’s So Special about Them? Potentials and Problems of Faith Actors in Development, PART II: Religion and the SDGs, 5. “It Is Not God’s Will for Us to Be Poor!” Religion Matters for Poverty Alleviation (SDG 1 and 2), 6. “Holistic Healing” – Religion Matters for Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), 7. “Largest and Most Successful Education Provider … Outside of Public Education Systems” – Religion Matters for Quality Education (SDG 4), 8. “Your Women, Let Them Be Silent in the Assemblies” – Religion Matters for Gender Equality (SDG 5), 9. “I Have a Dream” – Religion Matters for the Reduction of Inequality (SDG 10), 10. “Green Religion” – Religion Matters for Climate Action (SDG 13), 11. “Brokers of Peace” – Religion Matters for Peace and Justice (SDG 16), 12. Now What? Implications for Academics, Policymakers, and Practitioners, References, Index

Christine Schliesser is a Senior Lecturer at Zurich University. She is the Director of Studies at the Center for Faith & Society at Fribourg University and a Research Fellow in Studies in Historical Trauma and Transformation at Stellenbosch University.