Faith in action: Exploring the role of strategic religious engagement in the Philippine social protection and education sectors

The Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) through the Ateneo Policy Center (APC) together with Templeton Religions Trust (TRT), World  Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD), Joint Learning Initiative (JLI), Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and Ateneo’s Department of Development Studies held the “Strategic Religious Engagement in Development: What does it mean for the Philippines?” event last 12-13 August 2024 at Faber Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.

Representatives from academia, faith-based, and development organizations, both local and international, convened to discuss their diverse experiences in implementing humanitarian, development, and peace projects where government, faith-based, and development actors collaborate. Organizations in attendance included Caritas Philippines, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, World Vision, and Islamic Relief Worldwide, among others. The dialogue aimed to inform a two-year initiative that will explore and situate the role of Strategic Religious Engagement (SRE) within the social protection and education sectors.

Dr Maria Luz C Vilches, Ateneo de Manila’s Vice President for Higher Education, opened the event by emphasizing the University’s role in shaping and advancing SRE in the Philippines. Following this, Professor Katherine Marshall from WFDD and JLI outlined the project’s objectives before introducing the emerging concept of SRE, inviting participants to share their insights throughout the event. The Ateneo Policy Center and the Department of Development Studies then unveiled key research findings in collaboration with the WFDD. The presentation offered a compelling summary of insights gathered from key informant interviews on SRE in the Philippines, alongside an in-depth exploration of SRE's intersections with the education and social protection sectors.

Philip Arnold P. Tuano, Dean of ASOG, closed the event by highlighting the school’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and partnerships among diverse sectors including SRE in the country. He emphasized the importance of exploring how religious engagement can be integrated into governmental and development frameworks and tackling strategies and future steps in building lasting and trusting partnerships that address today's complex challenges.