23247: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Meeting Societal Challenges

Monday, July 28, 2025

13:45 - 15:15 CEST (GMT+2)

Location: Bella Center: Hall B- B2-m6

Session Type: Symposium (panel)
Orientation: Practice
Shareable link: https://cdmcd.co/Wyx3YJ

Organizer(s)

BL

Beate Jelstad Lovaas

VID Specialized U., Norway

Panelist(s)

DE

Dag-Håkon Eriksen

VID Specialized University, Norway
GE

Gry Espedal

VID Spes. U., Norway
TH

Thomas Hoholm

BI Norwegian Business School, Norway
JE

Johannes Eurich

Heidelberg University, Germany

There is a growing interest in understanding the role of nonprofit organizations in meeting societal challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. About eighty percent of the world's population identify with a religious faith. Religious groups have historically provided education and health services both domestically and internationally, often preceding the establishment of such institutions by nation-states. The symposium seeks to create a space to explore, discuss, and reflect on the current role of faith-based organizations in meeting societal challenges and to propose ideas and ways forward for research and practice.