Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is both a universal human right and a foundational driver of inclusive development. Nevertheless, as extensive scholarship has highlighted (Tadros, 2022; Sundqvist, 2016), FoRB has frequently been marginalised in development paradigms—particularly within fragile and conflict-affected contexts where faith identity plays a central role in resilience and social reconstruction. LM International’s praxis—rooted in the Moral Duty Bearer (MDB) Framework and the Religion & Development Systems Framework—seeks to address this persistent lacuna by embedding FoRB within a holistic, faith-sensitive approach to development. It is essential that FoRB remains situated within faith literacy, as it is through the daily spiritual and cultural practices of communities that religious freedom is most authentically articulated and safeguarded. Framing FoRB within faith literacy not only ensures contextual relevance but also reaffirms the moral and spiritual agency of communities, bridging the gap between universal rights frameworks and lived religious experiences.
This paper spotlights LM International’s work in the Sahel as a case study, showcasing how FoRB can catalyze social cohesion, humanitarian protection, and long-term development outcomes in conflict-affected areas. The MDB Framework positions faith actors and cultural/traditional leaders as moral duty bearers—trusted agents with spiritual legitimacy and moral authority. Meanwhile, the Religion & Development Systems Framework (RDS) provides a nuanced lens for understanding how faith-based and secular systems interact, offering practical strategies to foster inclusive development that resonates with local worldviews.
Comparative insights are drawn from legally-applied frameworks highlighting the need for faith-based organisations (FBOs) to complement faith-sensitive approaches with more explicit legal frameworks (ICCPR, UDHR) and robust monitoring systems. By weaving together deep listening, local faith actor engagement, and explicit legal standards a nuanced model of engagement aims to fill critical gaps in FoRB practice—such as gendered dimensions of religious freedom and the intersection of spiritual and material wellbeing.
Ultimately, this presentation argues that centering FoRB—particularly in contexts like the Sahel—offers a path to a more locally owned, spiritually infused, and legally grounded development practice. LM International’s integrated approach, blending faith literacy with human rights law and participatory development, positions it as a unique and transformative partner for donors and agencies seeking to bridge the gap between rights frameworks and lived religious realities.
Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is widely recognized as a fundamental human right, yet in practice it remains marginalised within many global development frameworks. This presentation explores the practical integration of FoRB beyond legal instruments, arguing that it is not merely a right to be acknowledged but a practice to be woven into humanitarian and development work. Building on the Moral Duty Bearer Framework (MDB) and the Religion & Development Systems Framework (RDS), we demonstrate how these conceptual backbones guide the operationalization of FoRB in diverse contexts. Drawing on LM International’s multi-regional programs with a focus on Sahel in Africa we showcase practical applications such as gender analysis, interfaith dialogue, youth engagement, and faith-sensitive service delivery. We also examine the challenges—such as limited engagement with faith-based actors, particularly local faith actors and the exclusion of FoRB from crisis and conflict response—and highlight critical gaps in current monitoring and policy frameworks. Ultimately, this presentation argues that FoRB is essential for just, inclusive, and resilient development, and provides concrete pathways for integrating FoRB as both a principle and practice in international development work.