Theologies and Practices of Inclusion: Insights from a Faith-based Relief, Development and Advocacy Organization

Inclusion has recently become a high priority issue within the development sector, brought to the fore by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's commitment to leave no one behind. Practices within the remit of inclusion often focus on increasing access and meaningful participation, with emphasis placed on bringing those at the margins to the centre. Theologies and Practices of Inclusion challenges such centre-focused practices from a global perspective, based on research conducted within the Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation Tearfund and beyond.

Offering inspiration for practitioners within the sector and faith-based organisations in particular, as well as an academic contribution to the fields of international development studies and theology, the book aims to bridge theology and practice in an accessible way.

Consisting of 13 chapters and case studies, this book draws on the wisdom of a diverse team of contributors at the forefront of international development, working in a variety of contexts. These include South Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia, the Philippines, Iraq, Egypt and the UK. Highlighting ‘journey’, ‘change’ and ‘belonging’ as three key aspects of inclusion, the book explores the outworking of theologies of inclusion within organisational practice.

With a foreword by Ruth Valerio, and an afterword by Catriona Dejean.

Nina Kurlberg is a Theology Development Officer at Tearfund, with a responsibility for developing their theology on diversity and inclusion, and a Senior Tutor at the University of Edinburgh.

Madleina Daehnhardt is a Social Scientist with a PhD in Development Studies, Panel Tutor in International Development at the University of Cambridge and Impact and Research Advisor for Tearfund.