Role of Theology in the Global Development Agenda (SDGs) and Human Rights

What has Theology to do with Development and Human Rights on the one hand, and what have Development and Human Rights to do with Theology on the other?

How can theology embrace and inform Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Human Rights and on the other hand, how can the SDGs and Human Rights shape theology?

A gap and suspicion seem to exist between Religious actors and State actors and Diplomats in addressing the global development agenda and Human Rights. Some State actors even in UN spaces do not embrace Religion as a key stakeholder when it comes to the implementation of the global, continental and even national development agenda and Human Rights. Human Rights and Religion for example, are often presented in some spaces to be in opposition of each other,^[1] whereby Human Rights actors view Religion with suspicion, “as a straitjacket: either as victim or as an oppressor.”[2] Consequently, Religion is regarded as more of a problem than a solution to Human Rights.

Religious actors on the other hand, even though heavily engaged in development work such as running health clinics, hospitals, schools, universities, training centres, agricultural and humanitarian work among other types of businesses, do not necessarily link their work to the global, continental and national development agenda and Human Rights, which they sometimes regard as secular.  Religious actors are also divided on some Human Rights, for example, those constituting gender justice and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

So, does theology have any interface with SDGs and Human Rights?

What is Theology?

Simply stated, theology is God Talk. How we speak about God in relation to SDGs and Human Rights, determines whether or not we live and act according to our faith in each of these aspects. Theology must be contextual. In other words, theology cannot be done in a vacuum; instead, a theologian must inevitably be a servant of his/her community.

What this means to us as Religious actors is that our theology cannot be divorced from the experiences of the people that we are serving-locally, continentally and even globally. As theologians, we have to articulate our faith critically in response to the diverse situations and contexts in whichever part of the globe where God has placed us. In this case, our perception of SDGs and Human Rights need to change if we still regard them as secular agendas. Are they really secular? What do they call for?

• Respect for Human Rights and human dignity
• Love and care for God’s creation
• Good health
• Reducing inequalities
• Gender equality, among others

Would we as religious actors regard these values as secular? Can we find these values in our own Scriptures? Yes, indeed we can!

Consequently, we can find Scriptural and Theological basis for most of the SDGs and Human Rights. Development for example, is an act of God in creation (Genesis 1&2) and the theme revolves in the entire Bible. On the other hand, Human Rights and Religion are not in opposition. The drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) René Samuel Cassin, in 1948 for example, entrenched Religious values in Human Rights by citing some Religious texts[3]. Besides the notion of human dignity which is embedded in Human Rights is central to Religion, where theologically, human dignity is derived from the image and likeness of God, in which every human being is created (Genesis 1:27). Although not all human rights may be acceptable by Religion, there is much synergy that can be useful to enhance Human Rights including those that relate to gender equality and SRHR.

In this case, our Scriptures form the basis of our engagement with the development agenda and Human Rights agenda. Consequently, we can use our Scriptures to reinforce SDGs and Human Rights in our mission work, regarding this engagement as our God-given Religious mandate, in line with our Religious values and divine wisdom.

Theology, development and Human Rights must therefore go hand in hand. This is what is called integral mission-or holistic mission i.e. Proclamation of the Word of God and Demonstration of it, which entails addressing people’s physical needs.

Consequently, Heads of Governments and Diplomats must regard Religious actors as important and indispensable partners in the achievement of SDGs and other continental and national development agenda.

During the 1^st Assembly on Women, Faith and Diplomacy organized by Religions for Peace from 10-13 Nov, 2020, the Secretary General Pro. Azza Karam stated in one of the breakout sessions that, “There is no way for Diplomats not to work with Religious Leaders”. One of the outcomes of the Assembly was that “Religion, as in faith, informs all decision-makers, including Diplomats – even those without religious affiliations, since they live alongside the majority of the world’s populations which are Religious”.

In conclusion, theology and development must work together as the two blades of a pair of scissors, where one is incomplete without the other. If we are to achieve the Development Goals which are shaped by core values of dignity, justice, compassion and love, which are shared both by Religion and  UN spaces, then we must work as partners at all levels right from the grassroots.

God is counting on Religious actors globally to use theology and Scriptures critically to inculcate the values of the Kingdom of God into the world, which God so loved (John 3:16). This is an integral/holistic mission, which entails not only proclamation/preaching God’s Word but also responding to human challenges set by SDGs and Human Rights. This includes calling governments to fulfill their promises to achieve SDGs by 2030, as well as holding them to account when Human Rights, including the Rights that enhance gender justice are violated. While the focus of our work is political advocacy, our mandate is Scriptural. We will be presenting our Scriptural and theological concerns that demand political responses.