Important Dates

Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, University of Bayreuth & The German Institute for
Global and Area Studies (GIGA), Hamburg

Public online panel discussion
“With the Help of God(s)? Religious Actors and Sustainable Development in Africa”

January 19, 2022 4-6 pm (CET)

On the African continent and elsewhere faith-based organizations provide health care services, religious groups offer education to kids and young adults, and religious leaders act as conflict mediators. At the same time, we hear about radical Christians performing crusades or Jihadi groups attacking villagers. Religious actors seem to be able to foster as well as undermine sustainable development. Today, a majority of African political leaders, Western governments, international organizations, and (I)NGOs acknowledge the relevant role of religious actors to bring about sustainable development and put great hope in their potential. What are these hopes based on? How do religion and sustainable development connect? Do they connect at all? And what challenges arise when religion and politics go hand in hand?

The Africa Multiple Cluster at the University of Bayreuth and the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) invite you to a public panel discussion on these and other questions: First three researchers will present ongoing studies, then two experts of development practice and politics will discuss these critically. The panel discussion will be followed by an open Q & A session with the audience.

We welcome to the panel:

• Damaris Parsitau (Egerton University, Njoro & African Association for the Study of Religion)
• Eric Stollenwerk / Matthias Basedau (GIGA, Hamburg)
• Eva Spies (Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, University of Bayreuth)

Commentators/discussants:

• Nabiela Farouq-Martius (GIZ)
• Daniel Salau Rogei (Carleton University, Ottawa)

Chair: Paula Schrode (Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, University of Bayreuth)

Please register for the event here:
https://uni-bayreuth.zoom.us/meeting/register/u50tdOypqD4sH92pbyHEaWNPTumaa_3wxkgg

After your registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with information about your participation in the meeting.
We are looking forward to welcoming you!