Interfaith advocacy for influencing policy and funding in holistic early childhood development: Experiences from Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique

• In Event: Sustaining Nurturing Care through the child’s ecological environment: Innovative approaches and experiences from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, and Lesotho.

Proposal

Investing in the early years is one of the smartest things a country can do to eliminate extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and create the human capital needed for economies to diversify and grow. Yet today, millions of young children are not reaching their full potential because of inadequate nutrition, lack of early stimulation, learning, and nurturing care, and exposure to stress adversely affecting their development. To help children achieve optimal development, multi-sectoral interventions are required in health, nutrition, education and child protection1, implemented through a well-coordinated effort among key early childhood service providers of which some are faith actors. Worldwide, with nearly 85% of people being affiliated with a religious practice2, including Sub Sharan Africa, faith communities and religious leaders are the largest and best-organized civil institutions in the world, claiming the allegiance of billions of believers and bridging the divides of race, class, and nationality. Mostly due to the trust and respect they earned with their communities, religious leaders have the experience of establishing and working with national and international partnerships. Their expertise can greatly contribute to reduction in the high numbers (over 250 million) of children at risk of attaining optimal development globally.
Considering the above, Catholic Relief Services, with the support from Conrad N. Hilton Foundation are invigorating the potential of interfaith leaders in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique to be advocates and influencers in their respective countries’ ECD policies, calling for expansion and impactful implementation of quality nurturing care services. Faith leaders are impactful advocates because they are engaged with community members and understand their communities’ culture, beliefs that may influence child development outcomes. Faith leaders are also experienced public speakers with access to large numbers of people through their houses of worship and other community forums. They care about the well-being of their congregations and play a powerful role in shaping attitudes and behaviors because their members trust them. Their strong connection with communities help to facilitate advocacy and influence with their governments for conducive ECD policy and financing environment.
This panel will share CRS’ multi-country approach and experiences in interfaith advocacy, which has demonstrated promising results on the vast potential faith leaders have to influence policy and funding for early childhood and maternal health outcomes. The presentation will also unpack how religious leaders, when equipped with evidence-based messages consistent with their religious beliefs, supported by their denomination leadership and faith-based technical counterparts, and given resources to cover their costs, could have an enormous and sustainable influence on ECD outcomes locally, regionally, and globally.

Author

• Tobias Opiyo, Catholic Relief Services