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In a groundbreaking announcement today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially unveiled its inaugural religious engagement policy, marking a pivotal moment in its commitment to fostering strategic development partnerships. This momentous occasion underscores the profound significance of religious communities and faith-based organizations as integral allies in the pursuit of shared developmental and humanitarian objectives. Since its inception, USAID has been working hand-in-hand with religious communities and faith-based organizations to advance common goals.
This momentous policy, titled “Building Bridges in Development: USAID’s Strategic Religious Engagement Policy,” is underpinned by a set of guiding principles that encapsulate the agency’s unwavering dedication to its partnerships with religious stakeholders. It serves as a comprehensive framework for USAID staff, enabling them to engage with religious communities and faith-based organizations in every sector and region where USAID is actively engaged.
The policy has been designed with three principal objectives in mind:
Enhancing Collaboration: USAID aims to improve collaboration between the agency and religious communities as well as faith-based organizations, aiming to promote shared priorities and maximize sustainable outcomes in development and humanitarian assistance.
Strengthening Workforce Capacity: This policy seeks to bolster the capacity of USAID’s workforce to engage in Strategic Religious Engagement (SRE) with respect and inclusivity. The agency will coordinate these efforts with other U.S. government agencies, the partner community, and will ensure strict compliance with all legal requirements.
Integrating Evidence-Based Approaches: USAID endeavors to increase the integration of Strategic Religious Engagement (SRE) as an evidence-based and principled approach to addressing development and humanitarian challenges. This approach will be applied across various sectors and in countries where USAID maintains a presence.
This historic policy announcement demonstrates USAID’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, positioning religious communities and faith-based organizations as invaluable allies in the pursuit of a better world.
