Discussing the role of Faith Based Organizations in International Development: The case of Papua New Guinea

Religion has always been a controversial topic for the international development field and, after being ignored by many scholars, it is now back into debate and consideration. In this essay, through carrying out a deep desk-based analysis and reviewing previous research in the field, I try to shed light about the current definition of Faith Based Organizations and the relationship between religion and international development, discussing its potential. The paper has a special focus on the role that Faith based Organizations can play in predominantly rural countries with a weak state apparatus, like Papua New Guinea, that serves as a case study. Compared with secular organizations and NGOs, Faith based Organizations can have some advantages and disadvantages that are covered in this article. After that, I explain that Australian Aid is funding Christian FBOs in Papua New Guinea and how those religious organizations can be a key actor for the development of the country. The article includes a gender perspective and the main critique towards FBOs. I conclude that, despite having flaws, FBOs can, under specific circumstances, improve the effectiveness of aid due to having better access to remote areas through the vast network of churches and volunteers.

• Gómez Loira, Miguel
  Xunta de Galicia (Cooperación Galega), ES