scholarly journals Faith Community and Campus Engagement in Immigrant Integration

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-115
Author(s):  
Felipe Filomeno
Keyword(s):  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Faith Community ◽  
Immigrant Integration ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Campus Engagement ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Faith Leaders ◽  
Faculty Leader ◽  
Volunteer Group

Immigration is one of the most contentious topics in contemporary American politics. This study presents the planning, implementation and evaluation of a program of faith community dialogues on immigration developed in partnership between a public university, a faith-based group of volunteers, and Catholic congregations. Based on data from dialogue transcriptions, exit questionnaires completed by participants, observation notes, and reflections shared by students and faith community leaders, the study shows the outcomes of the program for the congregations, the volunteer group, the students, and the faculty leader. The volunteer group was able to launch a new program that helped immigrant and US-born members of faith communities develop feelings of mutual understanding and collaboration. Students had the opportunity to learn research skills and better understand people’s perspectives on immigration and race. The faculty leader produced community-based scholarship that otherwise would not have been possible. The study concludes that cumulative collaborative learning, the inclusion of a religious dimension, and support from faith leaders are key for the success of partnerships between university and faith-based actors. 

Faith-Based Health Education Project

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia N. L. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Faith Communities ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Community Ownership ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Program Success ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
Pastoral Support ◽  
Volunteer Commitment

Working with faith communities in health promotion is widely acclaimed and yet not readily practiced. This article describes a study conducted among four faith communities to determine the process required for sustainable faith-based programs. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among 12 community volunteers who participated to identify their perceptions of the project. Two staff members were also interviewed to identify the process from their perspectives. Project-related documents were also analyzed to provide details and triangulate the data from the interviews. The study followed the project for 2 ½ years. Several factors were identified as significant influences on participation and project sustainability. These included value, active pastoral support, program success, and volunteer commitment. The results of this study indicate that pastoral support and faith community ownership are critical components that should be included in faith-based community building efforts.

scholarly journals Setting the global research agenda for community-based HIV service delivery through the faith sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha T. Ndlovu-Teijema ◽  
Maarten O. Kok ◽  
Sabine L. van Elsland ◽  
Hilleen Smeets ◽  
David Barstow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Faith Leaders ◽  
Global Research

Abstract Background While leading AIDS organizations expect faith and health collaborations to play a crucial role in organizing and scaling up community-based HIV services, it is unclear how this can be realized. Little primary research has been conducted into which strategies for collaboration and service provision are most effective, efficient, scalable and sustainable. Seeking to align research with urgent needs, enhance coordination and increase the likelihood that results are used, this study aimed to set an inclusive global research agenda that reflects priority research questions from key stakeholders at the intersection of HIV healthcare and faith. Methods In order to develop this global research agenda, we drew from document analyses, focus group discussions, interviews with purposively selected key informants from all continents (policy-makers, healthcare providers, faith leaders, academics and HIV activists), an online questionnaire, and expert meetings at several global conferences. We carried out focus group discussions and interviews with faith leaders in South Africa. Other stakeholder focus groups and interviews were carried out online or in person in France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and South Africa, and virtual questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders worldwide. Respondents were purposively sampled. Results We interviewed 53 participants, and 110 stakeholders responded to the online questionnaire. The participants worked in 54 countries, with the majority having research experience (84%), experience with policy processes (73%) and/or experience as a healthcare provider (60%) and identifying as religious (79%). From interviews (N = 53) and questionnaires (N = 110), we identified 10 research themes: addressing sexuality, stigma, supporting specific populations, counselling and disclosure, agenda-setting, mobilizing and organizing funding, evaluating faith-health collaborations, advantage of faith initiatives, gender roles, and education. Respondents emphasized the need for more primary research and prioritized two themes: improving the engagement of faith communities in addressing sexuality and tackling stigma. Conclusions A wide range of respondents participated in developing the research agenda. To align research to the prioritized themes and ensure that results are used, it is essential to further engage key users, funders, researchers and other stakeholders, strengthen the capacity for locally embedded research and research uptake and contextualize priorities to diverse religious traditions, key populations and local circumstances.

scholarly journals Engaging Religious Institutions to Address Racial Disparities in HIV/AIDS: A Case of Academic-Community Partnership

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Szaflarski ◽  
Lisa M. Vaughn ◽  
Camisha Chambers ◽  
Mamie Harris ◽  
Andrew Ruffner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Black Churches ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
Community Partnership ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Faith Leaders ◽  
Primary Strategy

African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV among all racial and ethnic groups. Direct involvement of faith leaders and faith communities is increasingly suggested as a primary strategy to reduce HIV-related disparities, and Black churches are uniquely positioned to address HIV stigma, prevention, and care in African American communities. The authors describe an academic-community partnership to engage Black churches to address HIV in a predominantly African American, urban, southern Midwest location. The opportunities, process, and challenges in forming this academic community partnership with Black churches can be used to guide future efforts toward engaging faith institutions, academia, and other community partners in the fight against HIV.

scholarly journals Church Networks and Localisation Practice in the Pacific

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Lauria ◽  
Aloysius Canete ◽  
Rebekah Cochrane
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Religious Faith ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Local Staff ◽  
The Road ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Faith Leaders ◽  
The Pacific

The localisation agenda is the largest humanitarian reform in decades. Global research, advocacy and adaptations of localised approaches continue to mature following the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016. The Summit produced The Charter for Faith-based Humanitarian Action, recognising the unique position and comparative advantage of local faith actors (LFAs) in humanitarian settings, owing to their presence in communities before, during, and after crises. More than 80% of the world’s population professes a religious faith, and international development and humanitarian work takes place within communities deeply influenced by faith, with local staff often themselves people of faith (cited in Fletcher 2018, p. 4). LFAs have consistently been among the top implementing partners of UN Agencies in undertaking humanitarian response (UNHCR Partnership Note on faith-based organizations, local faith communities and faith leaders 2014, p.8). Despite this recognition, little has promulgated on the role of LFAs in the localisation agenda and the primacy of LFAs' voices in contextualising the agenda for their communities. Accordingly, CAN DO (Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations) a network of Australian churchbased agencies with established relationships in the Pacific, is building an evidence base to inform international actors and affirm the significance of LFAs in localised humanitarian response within the Pacific region, thereby contributing towards the Charter for Faith-Based Humanitarian Action commitments. This paper is a critical reflection of the 2017-2018 localised response to the Monaro Volcano eruption in Vanuatu. Key learnings frame future collaborations with Pacific churches and pave the road ahead in shifting power differentials, including the advancement of LFAs' role within policy and decision-making at all levels of humanitarian response (Charter for Faith-Based Humanitarian Action 2016, p.2).

scholarly journals Powerful Influencers: Kenyan & Zambia Religious Leaders Advocate for Family Planning

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Bormet
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Family Planning Services ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
A Value ◽  
External Stakeholders

Abstract Faith-based organizations (FBOs) provide approximately 40% of healthcare in Kenya and 30% in Zambia. Promoting healthy families is a value at the heart of faith communities. This intervention focused on equipping and encouraging religious leaders (RLs), whose churches own and operate faith-based health facilities, to advocate for family planning (FP) within their congregations, communities, governments. This project included baseline assessments, FP sensitization, and media trainings. Religious leaders were trained through an adaptation of the AFP SMART training by ensuring culturally appropriate messaging for religious audiences were included (i.e. using scripture to discuss and develop messages on families, planning, having children, etc.). Training RLs provides an entree into government fora as culturally respected leaders in positions of power. In order for external advocacy to take place outside of church settings, it is crucial to identify how each church defines FP before meeting with external stakeholders. Creation of low-literacy terms in English and local languages that equipped RLs to interact with community members in-person (i.e. church services, weddings, funerals, community barazas, etc.) and via TV and radio shows was key in addressing myths and misconceptions. Eighty-six religious leaders from 16 denominations in Kenya and Zambia were engaged to sensitize communities and advocate with their Ministries of Health on behalf of the faith community to ensure family planning services reach communities. Equipping RLs in culturally and language appropriate contexts builds stronger advocates for healthy families and communities. Key messages To demonstrate how religious leaders in Kenya and Zambia are equipped to advocate for family planning from a faith perspective. Words and definitions and messengers matter in Family Planning Advocacy from a faith perspective.

scholarly journals Part of the problem or of the solution? The involvement of religious associations in immigrant integration policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Mattes
Keyword(s):  
Immigrant Integration ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Integration Policy ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Religious Associations ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Policy Fields ◽  
Immigrant Integration Policy ◽  
Empirical Case Studies

Across Europe we see faith-based organizations (FBOs) getting involved in the policy field of immigrant integration. The interweaving of the policy fields of religion politics and immigrant integration is particularly delicate in systems of religionstate cooperation. Here, FBOs and state actors build on each other to fulfil certain tasks. This paper explores how FBOs are involved in the field of immigrant integration and which techniques of government are being used. Drawing on empirical case studies from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the paper shows that religious communities fulfil multiple roles as civil society actors, as religious representatives or as migrant associations. While similarities occur due to comparable structures and institutions, observed differences are the consequence of different constellations of suspicion and trust between FBOs and state actors.

scholarly journals Discerning the role of faith communities in responding to urban youth marginalisation

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald W. Nel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Urban Youth ◽  
Youth Ministry ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Doctoral Studies ◽  
Youth Movements ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Urban Theology

Urban youth marginalisation became a key consideration in scholarly and policy literature in the 1990s. This entailed a shift from an emphasis on youth in relation to activism in the struggle to overcome colonial racism – popularly known as ‘the struggle against apartheid’ – to an emphasis on youth as the object of social inquiry and social welfare programmes. Irrespective of how we valuate this shift, the question in this article is how urban faith communities and youth ministry research are to respond to the agency of youth as dialogue partners – with a focus on social cohesion. This article explores this shift in scholarship on urban youth movements, especially for the period since 1994. It draws from the perspectives of my recent doctoral studies (Nel 2013) in constructing a creative dialogue with youth movements. The ultimate aim of this article is to provide a grounded basis for constructing a methodology for a postcolonial urban theology. In addition, it aims to inform the ongoing Youth at the Margins (YOMA) comparative study on the contribution of faith-based organisations to social cohesion in South Africa and Nordic Europe, with the Riverlea community, in Johannesburg, as one of the case studies.

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