Creating an Interfaith Initiative to Advocate for Increased Funding for Reproductive Health and Family Planning

Summary

From Faith to Action

MUHAMMADIYAHChristian Connections for International Health

Imprint

Publisher DSW EU

Place du Luxembourg 2–31050 Brussels Belgium

Tel: +32 2 5049060 Fax: +32 2 5026752

E-mail: info-eu@dsw-brussels.org Internet: www.dsw-brussels.org

Authors DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung)

Editorial The Write Effect, London (UK) Shane O‘Halloran, DSW

Design Simone Schmidt, Hannover (Germany)

PhotosAndrea Kuenzig (p. 17)WPF (p. 9)

© April 2012

Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) 1817 Rupert Street McLean, VA 22101 USA

E-mail: ccih@ccih.org Internet: www.ccih.org

Muhammadiyah Jl. Cik Ditiro No. 23 Yogyakarta 55262 Indonesia

E-mail: pp_muhammadiyah@yahoo.com Internet: www.muhammadiyah.or.id/en/

home.html

This report and the research upon which it is based was a joint effort by three organisations:

DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung) is an international development organisation founded in 1991 as a private non-profit foundation by two entrepreneurs from Hannover. With offices in Germany, Belgium, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, DSW is politically and religiously independent, relying on private donations and financial support from other organisations, foundations and agencies in its work to help people free themselves from poverty. -› www.dsw-online.org

Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) began in 1987 as a forum for Christian agencies and individuals concerned about international health to discuss areas of mutual interest. Today, CCIH includes a diverse network of 165 organisations and 300 individuals from across the globe. CCIH’s mission is to promote international health and wholeness from a Christian perspective. -› www.ccih.org

Muhammadiyah is a modern Islamic organisation established in Yogyakarta in 1912 to provide religious education and promote progress on social concerns, including poverty, illiteracy, health and other social problems in Indonesia. Muhammadiyah offers a comprehensive reference to basic sources of Islam (the Qur’an and Hadith) through rationalistic approaches and understandings and accepts a modern view consistent with Islamic teaching. Muhammadiyah serves communities at large (not exclusively for Muslims) in religious, education, health, economy and cultural services. -› www.muhammadiyah.or.id/en/home.html

From Faith to Actionon Reproductive Health and Family Planning

Creating an Interfaith Initiative to Advocate for Increased Funding for Reproductive Health and Family Planning

“Advocacy on family planning is useful not only to

one religious organisation, but has tangible benefits

for all human life.”

Indonesia Buddhists Association/Surabaya, Indonesia WALUBI

2

by Faith-Based Organisations in Support of Family Planning and Reproductive Health

Interfaith Declaration to Improve Family Health and Well-Being

We, the Leaders of religious institutions and faith-based organizations (FBO), believe that health is a universal value held by all faiths and a universal right for human beings.

Our faith traditions, spiritual values and commitment to social justice lead us to believe passionately that families should not suffer needlessly because they lack access to health services.

We acknowledge the evidence that the health benefits of access to education and services, and thereby averting unintended pregnancies, can be substantial. Each year lack of family planning services and education in developing countries results in an estimated 600,000 newborn deaths; 150,000 maternal deaths from abortion and other pregnancy- related causes; and at least 340,000 children lose their mother.

We recognise the importance of access to information about and services to enable families to plan the timing and spacing of their pregnancies consistent with their faith for family well-being, for achievement of country health targets and to support achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

We respect the choice of families based on their own faith and needs and know that stronger, healthier and thriving families and communities result when couples jointly plan their families.

In this Declaration, we commit to leveraging our networks to support family health by providing education and services that enable families to plan the timing and spacing of their pregnancies consistent with their faith. We call on others to support this initiative to influence government and donor policies and funding.

Nairobi, Kenya

29th June 2011

Consensus Declaration

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This feasibility study report is a product of joint efforts, support and participation of various faith-based and secular organisations and individuals. The Core Partners register their appreciation to all individuals who responded to the questions asked by telephone or e-mail. An effort like this often calls for time, skills and expertise that are not compensated. The Core Partners acknowledge the personal and organisational contributions that will never be quantified or compensated but forever recognised.

The feasibility study benefited greatly from the participants in the June 2011 ”From Faith to Action Interfaith Meeting“ held in Nairobi, Kenya. The commitment and give-and-take spirit that saw development of a consensus statement, demonstrated a characteristic value that must be forever upheld.

CCIH Christian Connections for International Health

CSO Civil society organisation

DSW Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung

FBO Faith-based organisation

MDG Millennium Development Goals

NGO Non-governmental organisation

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund

USAID United States Agency for International Development

WHO World Health Organization

Appreciation

Acronyms and abbreviations

4

Executive summary 5

Introduction 7

Background 8

FBOs as drivers of change 8 Momentum for interfaith cooperation 9

The feasibility study: finding common ground for interfaith collaboration 10

Summary of the feasibility surveys and interviews 11

Developing the Interfaith Declaration to Improve Family Health and Well-Being 13

Creating a global interfaith network on family planning and reproductive health 14

Goal and objectives of the network 14 Phased approach to developing the network 14 Network activities and approaches 15 Risk assessment of forming an interfaith network 16

Conclusions: the future of interfaith work on family planning and reproductive health 18

Annex 1. Planning phase of the feasibility study 20

Annex 2. Faith to Action Network framework 22

Contents

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Faith organisations, including religious institutions and faith-based organisations (FBOs), harness tremendous power to influence public policy. They have demonstrated an ability to leverage the power of their backers (people of faith) to influence donor and government policies and funding in a variety of development cooperation areas, such as peace and stability, environment, world hunger, HIV & AIDS, and children’s rights.

When it comes to family planning/reproductive health policies and funding, many faith organisations do excellent work, providing information, services and supplies in developing countries. However, if faith organisations and people of different faith backgrounds are able to create stronger alliances internationally, they will be able to have a much greater impact on family planning/reproductive health policies and funding.

DSW undertook a three-year Euroleverage project entitled “Leveraging German and European Community Funds for Global Health and Reproductive Health”, aimed in part “to leverage increased funds for reproductive health and family planning from European Community Official Development Assistance (ODA).” One of the key activities was to conduct a feasibility study of a global campaign for advocacy for reproductive health and family planning from across FBOs. In October 2010 the first consultative meeting was held with the three Core Partners – DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung), Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) and Muhammadiyah. The aim was to investigate strategic and practical considerations of how to implement this objective and work globally across faiths to advocate for better family planning/reproductive health funding and supportive policies.

The aim of the study was to test:

• the feasibility of gathering FBOs from different religions in a stakeholder meeting and issuing a consensus declaration in support of family planning/reproductive health; and

• whether it is also feasible to build on such a consensus declaration and establish a global interfaith family planning/reproductive health campaign advocating for increased funding and improved policies.

From January to August 2011, the Core Partners engaged a broad group of world-wide allies and champions in a consultation process. This employed both primary (questionnaires and interviews) and secondary data (literature review), to identify shared parameters, values, global goals and common messages among leaders of different faiths and to define conditions under which institutions can work together for family planning/reproductive health advocacy.

The feasibility study found that FBOs and religious leaders have great potential to contribute to and influence the achievement of key global health and develop-ment goals. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 40 percent of health services in sub-Saharan Africa are delivered by FBOs, with the figure ranging between 25 and 70 percent of services. Deeply rooted in the

Executive summary

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communities they serve, FBOs reach large numbers of people with health messages that resonate with local beliefs and culture and provide health services through sustained networks of support. It was also noted that FBOs support maternal and child health while providing varied family planning services within their health facilities. Thus, the potential of FBOs to contribute to and influence development targets such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and especially MDGs 4 (to reduce child mortality) and 5 (to improve maternal health), is tremendous.

The main findings of the study were:

• there is strong backing for interfaith advocacy in support of family planning;

• family planning is practised and acceptable to all;

• most FBOs have existing programmes related to family planning;

• the message and messenger represent the greatest opportunities and hindrances to interfaith advocacy on family planning;

• family planning is seen as highly relevant to development targets, the betterment of humanity and attainment of the MDGs; and

• the link between family planning and health has most support among various faiths.

The consultation resulted in the ground-breaking interfaith consensus statement in support of family planning/reproductive health entitled the “Interfaith Decla-ration to Improve Family Health and Well-Being”. A meeting with leaders from diverse religions and regions across the globe took place in June 2011 to launch the consensus statement and plan a global interfaith advocacy campaign for family planning/reproductive health.0 In this declaration, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist religious leaders committed to leveraging their networks to provide education and services that enable families to plan the timing and spacing of their pregnancies in ways consistent with their faith. They also called on others to support this initiative to further influence government and donor policies and funding. In early October 2011, the declaration had been endorsed by more than 120 FBOs and more than 100 secular organisations.

The consultations, surveys and interviews that were conducted suggested it is highly feasible to build on the consensus declaration and not only create a single advocacy campaign, but to act on participants’ wish for more institutionalised cooperation. Thus the Nairobi meeting actually went a step further by suggesting the creation of a global interfaith network. Since the meeting, this network has been established and tentatively called the Faith to Action Network. It aims to assure a coordinated global effort to expand, strengthen and enhance the collective success of faith organisations’ advocacy in support of family planning/reproductive health. Network membership will be religiously and geographically diverse to ensure it reflects multiple perspectives. The participants are also designing a global advocacy campaign under the auspices of the network. DSW and partners will build on these efforts and reach out widely to recruit members-from diverse faith organisations and regions.

0 “Because the definitions of family planning and reproductive health can be sensitive, this initiative focuses on

common ground and explicitly excludes controversial issues like abortion.”

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When sub-Saharan Africans were asked by Gallup in 2006 about their confidence in social and political institutions, they were more likely to express confidence in religious organisations than in military or financial institutions or their national governments. Faith organisations, including religious institutions and faith-based organisations (FBOs), harness tremendous power to influence public policy. In a variety of development cooperation areas, such as peace and stability, environ-ment, world hunger, HIV & AIDS, and children’s rights, faith organisations have demonstrated an ability to leverage the power of their backers (people of faith) to influence donor and government policies and funding.

When it comes to family planning/reproductive health policies and funding, many faith organisations do excellent work, providing information, services and supplies in developing countries. However, if faith organisations and people of different faith backgrounds are able to create stronger alliances internationally, they will be able to have a much greater impact on family planning/reproductive health policies and funding. The issues involved in building coalitions across different faiths to advocate on behalf of family planning and reproductive health may be challenging or nuanced, but this is an area well worth exploring.

This report is part of DSW’s three-year Euroleverage project “Leveraging German and European Community Funds for Global Health and Reproductive Health”, which aims “to leverage increased funds for family planning and reproductive health from European Community Official Development Assistance (ODA)”. Objective 5 of the project is to conduct a feasibility study of a global campaign for advocacy for family planning and reproductive health from across FBOs.

This report summarises the background, processes, and results of the feasibility study, providing rich information on the potential for faith communities and organisations to drive policy change and garner wider support and funding for family planning and reproductive health. It also highlights the exciting development of a global interfaith network for advocacy on family planning and reproductive health. 1

Introduction

1 A full, in-depth report is available on the DSW website: www.dsw-online.org

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Background

FBOs as drivers of changeFBOs and religious leaders have great potential to contribute to and influence the achievement of key global health and development goals. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 40 percent of health services in sub-Saharan Africa are delivered by FBOs, with the figure ranging between 25 and 70 percent of services.

about topics such as sexuality, alcoholism, and domestic violence. Another positive change was faith-based hospitals’ acceptance of people living with HIV & AIDS,while the Church still stigmatised them. This has now led to a change in the way the Church views people living with HIV & AIDS. Religious leaders are driven by values based on social justice and people’s well-being. Therefore, they have a critical role to play in society and are well positioned to influence other leaders, including governments, to provide adequate resources to improve well-being.

Faith organisations can be positive drivers towards the acceptance of modern family planning methods but this must come from within the organisations themselves and cannot be imposed by secular organisations. The interfaith network can contribute to this drive by sharing experiences and best practices and by showing how family planning can be integra-ted with religious belief systems.

Deeply rooted in the communities they serve, FBOs reach large numbers of people with health messages that resonate with local beliefs and culture, and provide health services through sustained networks of support. FBOs also support maternal and child health while providing varied family planning services within their health facilities. Thus, the potential of FBOs to contribute to and influence development targets such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and especially MDGs 4 (reduce child morta-lity) and 5 (improve maternal health)is tremendous.

In the last few years, there have been wide discussions about the role of FBOs in electoral processes and the way in which they shape national and international policies, including funding for family planning/reproductive health. The findings of a study in Kenya2 noted that high-level commitment to family planning policy tended to be ambivalent and strongly influ-enced by factors such as prevailing cultural and religious attitudes.

In many countries, winning FBO support for family planning/reproductive health can have a snowball effect in policy and funding arenas. This is because FBOs have close relationships with communities, particularly religious members of communities, while politicians rely on these same religious consti-tuencies to ensure their election and ongoing legitimacy as political representatives. Engaging with religious leaders who are open to family planning/reproductive health can influence politicians who recognise this strong link, and can lead to policy change, as well as changes in values and attitudes.

One example is the paradigmatic shift in the Anglican Church that has seen acceptance of women as clergy. This in turn has contributed to breaking the silence

In Pakistan, research found that 95 per

cent of women seeking post-abortion

care were married – a clear indication

of the unmet need in a predominantly

Islamic state.

2 Crichton, J, (2008) “Changing fortunes: analysis of fluctuating policy space for family planning in Kenya.” African Population and Health Research Center.

Nairobi, Kenya. http://heapol.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/5/339.full

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published “Guidelines for Engaging FBOs as Agents of Change”. 6 Reproductive health was highlighted as a priority by an unprecedented number of organisa-tions at the March 2009 G8 Health Experts Group meeting with civil society, suggesting a readiness to form an interfaith advocacy initiative.

Faith leaders such as the Chairman of Muham ma-diyah’s Social Welfare and Health Commission have expressed interest in working with other FBOs in the area of family planning, health and conflict resolution. Muhammadiyah has furthermore initiated talks with the US State Department about the feasibility of establishing a centre in Yogyakarta for interfaith dialogue on a range of issues, including reproductive health. In addition, civil society organisations (CSOs) and FBOs have collaborated for many years on advocacy and project implementation. For example, DSW has had a longstanding relationship with the German Lutherans, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, APRODEV, 7 the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, 8 Caritas, 9 CIDSE 10 and the Aga Khan Foundation, 11 among others. Some of these organisations provided input to the CCIH study mentioned above.

Momentum for interfaith cooperationWhen DSW’s project was first designed in 2009, there were signs that the time was right for a global faith-based initiative for advocacy on family planning/reproductive health. For example, many international FBOs that had long been advocating for children’s rights had now turned their attention to maternal health as crucial to the well-being of children. A 2008 publication by CCIH, “International Family Planning: Christian Actions and Attitudes”,3 documented the views of Christian FBOs on family planning. Key findings included a mapping of ongoing Christian and interfaith collaborative efforts to deliver family planning/reproductive health services, evidence on what FBOs need to scaleup, and recommendations for international organisations looking to partner with FBOs. This report showed a potential to leverage the increasing interest of FBOs in family planning/reproductive health.

WHO and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) published reports on FBOs: “Asia and the Pacific Regional Forum on Strengthening Partner-ships with Faith-Based Organisations in Addressing ICPD” 4 and “Faith-Based Models for Improving Maternal and New-Born Health”. 5 UNFPA also

3 www.ccih.org/doclibrary/ccih_fp_survey_revised_031509_reduced_size.pdf4 www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/global/shared/documents/publications/2009/

faith_based_org_forum.pdf5 www.accesstohealth.org/toolres/pdfs/ACCESS_FBOrpt2007.pdf6 www.unfpa.org/culture/docs/fbo_engagement.pdf

7 APRODEV (www.aprodev.eu) works to strengthen the cooperation between

the European development organizations which work closely together with

the World Council of Churches (WCC).8 www.adra.org9 www.caritas-europa.org10 www.cidse.org11 www.akdn.org/AKF

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• to gain rich qualitative information about a variety of faith groups and their views on family health, family planning, reproductive health and advocacy.

To investigate these issues, DSW and its Core Partners conducted research using complementary methods, including: surveys, in-depth interviews, and a consensus meeting to present the research findings and make firm conclusions.

With the assistance of a research consultant and two interviewers, DSW and the Core Partners did an extensive literature review to assess existing knowl-edge on the subject. Next, questionnaires and in-depth interviews with FBOs and leaders, including members of the UNFPA Interfaith Network, helped to provide

The feasibility study: finding common ground for interfaith collaborationStarting in October 2010, DSW and its Core Partners in this project, CCIH and Muhammadiyah, investigated the strategic and practical considerations of how to work globally across faiths to advocate for better funding and supportive policies for family planning/reproductive health. From January to August 2011, the Core Partners consulted a broad group of worldwide allies and champions to identify shared parameters and values, global goals and common messages among leaders of different faiths. They also defined conditions under which institutions can work together for family planning/reproductive health advocacy.

The study’s aims were:

• to engage a broad group of worldwide allies and champions in conversations about the feasibility, strategy and practical considerations for working globally, across faiths, to advocate for better funding for family planning and reproductive health and to identify shared parameters, values, global goals and common messages among leaders of different faiths;

• to define conditions under which institutions can work together to advocate for family planning and reproductive health; and

Table 1: Feasibility study timeline

January – February 2011 Drafted questionnaires, finalised list of organisations and people to be contacted, and decided which Core Group member would contact each one.

March – April 2011 Sent short questionnaire by e-mail; about 15 questionnaires were completed and returned.

May 2011 E-mailed short questionnaires to members of the UNFPA Interfaith Network.

15 May – 20 June 2011 Conducted in-depth phone interviews with key people in 25 organisations.

June 2011 Compiled all data from questionnaires and interviews

28 June 2011 Presented summary of findings and preliminary interpretation to participants at the Nairobi meeting.

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rich qualitative data. The researchers reached out to Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu FBOs, as these are the major religions in developing countries. The Core Partners also endeavored to include FBOs from all continents to compile evidence for a global campaign.

There was lengthy discussion among the Core Partners about who would be surveyed and interviewed for the research. Ultimately, they had to balance the benefits of a broad consultation, which can provide-more evidence, with budget and time constraints. In addition, there was a need for sensitivity: the aim was to create momentum for advocacy work, but opening the research up to a wider group of respondents could elicit negative reactions or obstacles from FBOs with opposing views.The Core Partners worked to find a balanced approach.

To minimise the risk that FBOs would be hesitant to respond to the questionnaires because of ambiguous terminology on family planning and reproductive health, the language and message was discussed in detail. Questions covered the whole range of these subjects, from traditional to modern contraceptives and methods. While never deviating from the main goal of mapping support for family planning/repro-ductive health, the study was constructed to find out where FBOs of different faiths can meet, what they have in common and where an appropriate starting point for cooperation could be found.

Summary of the feasibility surveys and interviewsThe feasibility study found that many FBOs are looking for platforms for inter-faith collaboration onfamily planning. This could accelerate acceptance of family planning, minimise internal resistance on family planning within faith organisations, enable pooling of resources by the different faiths, and improve the effectiveness of family planning programmes that are adopted by faith organisations. It further increases the possibility of faith organisa-tions, which were initially opposed to family, planning adopting favourable policies.

An interfaith platform was also seen as “forcing” faith organisations to articulate their position and policy direction on family planning, which helps in internal advocacy and provision of services by FBOs’ health facilities. A conference in April 2011 on “Faith, Family Planning and Family Well-Being” 12 found that outreach and education activities on family planning/reproductive health require a high degree of customi sation to local contexts. Thus, a global network of local religious/faith-based advocacy campaigns is likely to be more effective than a global advocacy campaign. A report 13 presented at the conference supports the outcomes of this study, showing a commitment from FBOs to act on family planning/reproductive health and to establish an open and frank dialogue between themselves as well as with secular organisations. Interviewees pointed out that this is a challenge, but being aware of this from the beginning is also a sign of the strength of this initiative.

The advocacy was seen as being likely to succeed if it were conducted with respect and sensitivity for and by different faiths. The ingredients for winning FBO support for family planning include mutual respect, sensitivity to other belief systems, honest and open dialogue, commitment to consensus-building, linking family planning to development targets and health, focusing on commonalities between faiths, agreeing on clear and consistent messaging, and full participation and transparency.

12 For more information on the conference, see: www.irh.org/?q=content/

fam-consultation-faith-family-planning-and-family-well-being13 www.irh.org/sites/default/files/IRH%20Faith%20Report.oct_.5.reduced.pdf

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Outcomes of the interfaith consensus meetingOn 27–29 June 2011, 26 representatives from FBOs and donor organisations met in Nairobi to assess the findings from the surveys and interviews; to identify key opportunities and challenges for faith advocacy supporting family planning/reproductive health; and to provide input into the design of an advocacy campaign. Discussions led to an agreement on a consensus declaration identifying common positions

held by FBOs on family planning/reproductive health. However, when it came to discussing the design of a global campaign, the participants agreed to an even more ambitious goal: the establishment of a global interfaith advocacy network for family health and well-being.

Table 2 summarises the main findings from the feasibility study and the Nairobi meeting.

Table 2: Findings from the feasibility study on increasing interfaith collaboration in support of family planning and reproductive health 14

Issue Feasibility

Terminology: words to use/avoid and why? There is agreement on a number of key terms that can be used without much consideration, although there are some differences in what FBOs identify as appropriate language; an interfaith campaign should take this into account.

Views about specific contraceptive methods Participants made distinctions between modern contraceptives, natural family planning and permanent contraceptives; the latter ones were considered the most controversial.

Have members of your FBO been involved in family planning/reproductive health issues?

Family planning/reproductive healthare are not new topics to most FBOs, but they already have experience and skills to expand their work on it.

Do you think your own FBO might want to participate in and/or sign on in support of this interfaith campaign in favour of family planning? Why?

All 16 FBOs attending the Nairobi meeting signed the statement, which has since then been endorsed by 125 FBOs worldwide.

Which of these possible campaign objectives seem realistic? Which are consistent with the views of your FBO?

Preferred objectives:

• Heighten awareness of the benefits of family planning

• Improve programme effectiveness with existing resources

• Assure policies which remove barriers and enable better access to family planningservices

• Strengthen collaboration among FBOs regarding family planning initiatives

FBOs also asked for concrete action points with which to follow up commitments.

Which of these approaches will be most effective in gaining family planning support in your own and in other FBOs? Which should we avoid? Why?

There was strong support for linking family planning to health as well as to include youth in the process, while some of the other suggestions were not as well received.

In your experience, what are the unique contributions that FBOs can make in such a campaign?

At the Nairobi meeting, FBOs committed to undertaking advocacy and pu-blicising the consensus statement, by using their social networks (at local and national level), including those for women and youth, and by making a common, global faith-based platform on family planning/repro-ductive health.

14 A full, in-depth report of the survey is available at www.dsw-online.org

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15 For a list of all endorsers and supporters of the consensus declaration, see

http://www.dsw-online.org/topics/issues-we-are-concerned-with/sexual-

and-reproductive-health/dialogue/interfaith-declaration.html

Developing the Interfaith Declaration to Improve Family Health and Well-BeingThe feasibility consultation resulted in the ground-breaking interfaith consensus statement in support of family planning/reproductive health, which can be found at the beginning of this report. A meeting with leaders from diverse religions and regions across the globe took place in June 2011 to launch the consensus statement and plan a global interfaith advocacy campaign.

“We are not trying to bring everybody on

board because that won’t happen, but

we are seeking to build a platform to

mobilise allies to advocate for family

planning or reproductive health among

the faith-based organisations.”

Initial endorsers of the declaration

African Christian Health Associations (ACHA)

African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP)

Centre for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC), Jakarta, Indonesia

Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH), USA

Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK)

Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI)

Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), Kenya

Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia

International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research, Al-Azhar University

Islamic Relief Worldwide, UK

Masjid Council, Bangladesh

Missionaries of Jesus, Philippines

Muhammadiyah, Indonesia

Muslim Family Counselling Services, Ghana

Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)

New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, USA

Northmead Assembly of God Church – Zambia

Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Kenya

WALUBI (Indonesian Buddhist Association)

In this declaration, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist religious leaders committed to leveraging their networks to provide education and services that enable families to plan the timing and spacing of their pregnancies in ways consistent with their faith. They also called on others to support this initiative to further influence government and donor policies and funding. To date, the declaration had been endorsed by more than 120 FBOs and more than 100 secular organisations. 15

The declaration is to be used by FBOs to reach outto those who already support family planning/repro-ductive health programmes, but also to those opposed to one or both of them. To do this, there needs to be a mid- to long-term strategy for how to roll out the necessary advocacy actions. That the aim is to mobilise allies, rather than to seek endorsements from all FBOs, was aptly captured by one participant, who noted that:

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Creating a global interfaith network on family planning and reproductive healthThe feasibility consultations showed that support for increased cooperation between FBOs was even stronger than expected. The Nairobi meeting made a firm recommendation that the objective should be more than just a single global campaign for family planning/reproductive health across faith-based groups.Instead, the aim would be to establish a “global interfaith advocacy network”. The consensus statement – endorsed by more than 200 organisations spanning the secular and faith-based communities – clearly expresses support for the establishment of such a network.

This has led to the establishment of the Faith to Action Network.

• leverage FBO networks to support family health by providing education and services that enable families to plan the timing and spacing of their pregnancies consistent with their faith.

Phased approach to developing the networkThe first phase of development of the network involves the formation of a global Steering Committee, comprised of DSW, CCIH, Muhammadiyah and representatives from member organisations and selected donors.The Committee will be responsible for overall governance of the network and will provide broad guidance, oversight and approval of key decisions and activities. It will play a vital role in defining and monitoring the network’s strategic goals.

A Secretariat will be established to administer and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the network, organise network meetings and coordinate the representation of the network at relevant international and national fora. The Secretariat will ensure effective communication, and support overall cohesion of the network and its members. In a start-up phase, this Secretariat would, given the large amount of work, be dependent on input and resources from the bigger FBOs, not least from the Core Partners. With

Goal and objectives of the networkThe overarching goal is to improve policies, funding, coordination and support for family planning/repro-ductive health at all levels. DSW and partners will reach out widely to recruit members from diverse faith organisations and regions so that the network is as representative as possible. More specific objectives include:

• improved reproductive health outcomes through increased access to family planning;

• increased funding (and maximisation of existing resources) for governments and civil society, including faith organisations, to improve access to family planning/reproductive health;

• increased awareness of the role of FBOs and about interfaith commitment and collaboration in support of family planning/reproductive health (including-seeking additional support and endorsement for the consensus statement and campaign);

• identify shared parameters, values, global goals and common messages among leaders of different faiths, and define conditions under which institutions can work together as a voice for family planning/reproductive health advocacy; and

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The Faith to Action Network will also serve to leverage resources for interfaith approaches to family planning/reproductive health. This includes unlocking new resources by cultivating champions and maximising the potential of existing resources. Training and technical assistance will be provided to member organisations to enable them to secure funding for their advocacy work. At the same time, the network will reach out to “non-traditional” sources of funds and the private sector to support global interfaith family planning and reproductive healthactivities.

StreamliningWith the focus on common, global principles as well as highly customised campaigns, activities will take place at local, national, regional and global levels using existing structures. Consultation revealed that linking family planningto health, economic develop-ment and the MDGs and a focus on involving youth are considered top priorities for FBOs. Therefore advocacy campaigns and requests for improved service delivery and policies are likely to focus on these issues.

Capacity-buildingGiven the variety of skills and resources among member FBOs, the Faith to Action Network will include activities ranging from local community service delivery to global advocacy. Enabling smaller FBOs to take part in activities at a higher level includes capacity-building, and this was also highlighted by many interviewees during the feasibility consultation. According to one FBO representative,“We need to draw a distinction between apprehension about certain terms and lack of knowledge of certain terms.”

In other words, opposition to family planning and reproductive health sometimes depends on a lack of knowledge about these terms. In such cases it is crucial to have clear and unambiguous definitions. Furthermore, before launching any advocacy cam-paigns, it should be made clear that participating members agree on the message and terms used in the campaign. Improving knowledge of how to access funding or influence decision-makers nationally and globally is another important task of the network and its Secretariat.

its wealth of experience of coordination and imple-mentation of projects and trainings, DSW could initially serve as the network’s Secretariat.

The network’s activities will be planned and imple-mented by its members under the leadership of the Steering Committee/Council and Secretariat, and will serve to strengthen commitment, improve collaboration and provide a platform for advocacy and dialogue around family planning/reproductive health. Within the global network, there will also be coordination at the regional level (for example, Africa, Asia) with rotating leadership.

Network activities and approachesThe feasibility study and the Nairobi meeting clearly recommended that a campaign and network must be guided by common principles, but must also be flexible. To maintain a common direction for all participating FBOs, the main activities will include streamlining messages and language, capacity- building and coordination of members.

Activities will serve to improve learning and share knowledge, bring together key stakeholders and provide a platform for targeted advocacy to influence the policy and budget environment. This may include, for example, conducting interfaith campaigns on family planning/reproductive health, issuing position papers and calls to action, and sharing best practice through regional clusters for dialogue, cooperation and replication.

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There has been growing interest from donors in the role of FBOs in advocating and delivering family planning and reproductive health, but being dependent on donors is always linked with a risk of changing donor priorities and competing issues. This must be addressed by developing a strong message on the centrality of family planning and reproductive health to development and to achieving the MDGs and other development goals.

Consultations showed a strong preference for agree-ing on common principles and main goals, while still allowing activities and campaigns to be adapted to local contexts. It is critical that these local cam-paigns and activities stay true to the overarching objectives and principles; therefore, the monitoring and evaluation of activities undertaken within the FBO network is key to maintaining a strong message. The independent Secretariat would have a key role in this monitoring and streamlining work, requiring resources, expertise and excellent communication skills to coordinate FBOs of different sizes and with different needs.

CoordinationThe feasibility study found that many FBOs are inter-ested in having a forum for organisations from the global North and South to come together and share experiences and best practices, and to increase understanding of each other’s viewpoints. Exchanges and conferences may be examples of this, as well as development of communication materials and a dvocacy tools. Exchanges and meetings should, given the multilevel structure of the network, take place both at regional and global level. To fulfil the main goal of raising awareness about FBOs and family planning/reproductive health, the network should also be represented at external events. The Secretariat’s role will thus include coordinating, advising and facilitating features in a multinational and multicultural setting.

Risk assessment of forming an interfaith networkThe Faith to Action Network relies on the assumption that there is a willingness of stakeholders from diverse faith backgrounds to work in partnership and to establish common objectives. Working with faith organisations also implies that these organisations accurately represent the attitudes, beliefs and values of their followers. It is furthermore assumed that decision-makers will continue to be influenced by faith organisations. Overall, this report shows that there is ample first-hand evidence from FBOs of a strong will to pursue closer cooperation.

Given that this is an advocacy project aimed at, among other things, changing attitudes and improving knowledge about family planning and reproductive health within the context of each religious belief system, it is natural if there are some initial differ-ences between promoters of this project and those with less knowledge about the issues at stake.

The Faith to Action Network may also find it challenging to develop clear and unambiguous messages and language. Vague definitions and inappropriate language may make FBOs uneasy about supporting the initiative and may also offer more conservative elements an opportunity to criticise those FBOs promoting family planning/reproductive health.

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Next steps: developing the Faith to Action Network

Develop the advocacy platform

• Provide an inspiring vision as well as evidence of the effects of an issue or situation

• Identify clear advocacy objectives, goals, values and targets

• Develop a clear communications strategy and messaging by “knowing the audience”

• Link family planning with other development targets, such as the MDGs and the post-MDG development framework

• Identify rallying issues that bring people together and elicit similar discontent that shows a need for change by all

• Ensure proper timing: advocacy outcomes and impacts are about “advocacy moments”

• Reframe the debate to drop controversial issues

Build support

• Scan, map and assess the environment for allies, opportunities and challenges, starting with the results from the feasibility study

• Neutralise roadblocks by addressing myths, misconceptions, distrust and opposition

• Build critical coordinators and supporters

• Work with celebrities and motivators to profile the advocacy and leverage attention

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Conclusions:

Faith communities and their leadership have and continue to be major drivers of change on a wide range of issues, including at the policy level. In addition, FBOs play a central role in providing family planning and reproductive health services to many communities around the world. As such, the unprecedented momentum to increase interfaith work on these issues, which was revealed through the feasibility study outlined in this summary report, was welcomed and timely.

One legacy of this unique project is the Consensus Statement, which is a rallying point for hundreds of organisations in both the faith and secular communities, around shared goals and values related to family planning and reproductive health. The project also laid the groundwork for the Faith to Action Network, which has the potential to become a primary source of cooperation and common ground for work on these issues. While there are clear risks involved, DSW and its Core Partners are taking a careful, phased and flexible approach to developing the network. With their combined experience, and DSW’s expertise in coordina-tion and implementation, the network has the foundations of an effective and sustainable collaboration. It stands to have a significant impact on the funding and policy landscape for family planning and reproductive health, not to mention on the lives of millions of people in developing countries.

The future of interfaith work on family planning and reproductive health

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Issue Considerations

Consensus statement Representation of gender, faiths and geographical areas. Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu FBOs considered vital, as these are the major religions in developing countries. Need to ensure participation of women and of representatives from South America and Europe. The first signatories are crucial for the wider endorsements: if they are too liberal, others might have doubts about following.

Share the statement draft before the Nairobi meeting for input. Must place statement in a context when sharing it.

Terminology. Important to find the right balance: too strong language can scare FBOs away, while a vague language will lead to less impact.

Main message. Should not be too detailed – focus on saving lives and addressing poverty. Must, however, cover these areas: universal values of faith, our vision and well-documented evidence. Show potential donors that they should not be afraid of cooperating with religious leaders.

Nairobi meeting Invitations. Invite high-profile leaders and ask them to send a delegate to the meeting. Also invite a few high-profile keynote speakers.

Financial constraints put limit at 30 participants.

Media coverage. How to reach out to media and raise awareness? Easier if high-profile leaders are present.

Agenda. Focus on launching the statement, increasing visibility and planning the upcoming campaign.

Why an FBO campaign? Uniqueness and added value?

FBO influence over agenda setting and government priorities due to their close relationship with communities leads to the possibility of finding more and “new” endorsers than a campaign run by other CSOs

Objectives • Improved reproductive health outcomes through increased access to family planning

• Increased funding for governments and civil society, including FBOs, to increase access to family planning and reproductive health

• Strengthened interfaith commitment and collaboration in support of family planning and reproductive health

• Sub-objective: seek additional support and endorsement for the consensus statement and campaign

• Not to overwhelm participants or ourselves by having too many objectives!

Annex 1: Planning phase of the feasibility study

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Main message • FBOs express support for increased funding of family planning and reproductive health, as this is fundamental to improving family well-being and alleviating poverty

• Map ongoing projects on FBOs and family planning and reproductive health to avoid duplication of existing initiatives

• Distinction between family planning and reproductive health: family planning is associated with married couples, reproductive health with access for all. Family planning is thus easier to sell to FBOs and more appropriate

• Reproductive health should be defined so as not to include abortion

• Heighten awareness and increase visibility of FBOs’ role in family planning and reproductive health – NOT to improve funding or policies; improved funding and policies will hopefully come out of the heightened awareness

• Consider inclusion of the MDG intents and language, population, reproductive health, and poverty in the context of health

• Show clearly that family planning is important for both men and women

• Use passionate and compassionate language, since facts alone may not compel people to accept the message

• The statement should indicate how many lives will be saved as a result of using family planning, as opposed to how many will be lost

How to measure impact? • Impact on different levels: from international policy changes to more direct effects at the local level (e.g. more/better service delivery/ counselling)

• Local-level achievements may be more easily quantifiable and thus easier to measure than impact atthe policymaking level

• BUT: the real prospects may be on a higher level where FBOs of different faiths come together

Funding Given that many FBOs work on a voluntary basis, external funding is crucial

Time horizon • Change values and attitudes – longer term

• Shorter campaign to raise awareness of FBO work?

Structure: Independent secretariat • Identify common ground and conditions under which an FBO platform can be established

• New campaign focus on areas where interfaith cooperation has already been pursued – take this as a starting point

What level? Local/global The network can bridge the gap between local service delivery and programmes and global advocacy

Activities • Sharing best practices and experiences

• Campaign is envisaged to be broad and decentralised; activities at all levels targeting politicians, donors, service providers, decision formers and implementers

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Project Goal Outcomes Methods and sources for measuring progress and results

To improve policies, funding, coordination and support for family planning and reproductive health at all levels

Consensus and collaboration among faith organisations in support of family planning and reproductive health

Increased commitment to family planning and reproductive health among faith organisations

Greater visibility of interfaith support for family planning and reproductive health issues

Increased participation by faith organisations in policy dialogue and decision-making processes

Increased interaction between faith organisations

Number of advocacy actions on family planning and reproductive health conducted by faith organisations

Annex 2: Faith to ActionNetwork framework

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Objectives Outputs Methods and sources for measuring progress and results

Objective 1: To establish and coordinate an interfaith network to serve as an effective platform for dialogue on family planning and reproductive health

Global interfaith network, Secretariat and Steering Committee/Council established

Diverse and representative network membership

Strategic plan and M&E framework developed

Signatories to consensus statement

Communications channels established

Champions and high-level support gained

Global and regional network meetings held

Baseline assessment/poll of faith organisations’ positions and actions on family planning and reproductive health issues

Project documentation (e.g. membership lists, workshop registers, conference and meeting reports, minutes of meetings)

Feedback and reporting from member organisations

Objective 2: To build the technical and financial capacity of the network and its members

Training conducted for network members on family planning and reproductive health, advocacy and resource mobilisation

Technical assistance provided to network members

Communications materials and advocacy tools developed

Peer learning and exchange events organised

Objective 3: To facilitate action by the network and its members in support of family planning and reproductive

Interfaith initiatives launched

Representation of the network and its members in decision-making processes

Global conferences organised

Regional dialogues organised

Participation in external events

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MUHAMMADIYAH

Christian Connections for International Health