Heart for the City a Faith based organisation in the United Kingdom with branches in many major cities of the world recognises that Africa has had a long history of faith-based development intervention. However, the contribution of faith-based organisations to Africa’s development is rarely examined. Nevertheless, FBOs play an integral, if controversial, role in delivering core development and humanitarian assistance, particularly in the areas of health, education, food security and poverty alleviation.
Faith perspectives have traditionally been invisible to institutions and individuals driving the International development agenda. But there is growing recognition of the important part FBOs and inter-faith dialogue can play on both a local and macro level, influencing international development and policy-making.
Informed by the shared religious tenets of social justice, compassion and equality, faith groups in the Diaspora bring unique resources and strengths to their development work in Africa through their strong networks with communities on the ground. On the other hand, out-dated value systems and cultural practices, upheld by some FBOs, can also act as obstacles to change and progress towards development goals.
We have therefore identified the opportunity in building bridges among the various African Diaspora groups by enhancing their communication, creating state of art conferences with highly respected speakers.
Heart for the city also seeks to impact the development projects of the Diaspora community by creating resources and tool kits that reduce the risk and disappointment caused by cultural and economic gaps.
The Heart for the City wing of Diaspora Community Support Services seeks to work with multinational agencies, government authorities and development partners to increase the capacity of the Diaspora groups and piggy back on established structures.