Using Faith and Development as a Means of Changing the World

Visiting Professor Katherine Marshall of Georgetown University’s Berkeley Center in Washington, D.C, and the Head of the World Faiths Development Dialogue returns to UC to explain how faith and religion relates to the world of development.

Once again, UC was happy to welcome the return of Katherine Marshall, Visiting Professor at The University of Cambodia. She currently works for Georgetown University’s Berkeley Center in Washington, D.C, and is the Head of the World Faiths Development Dialogue. She returned to UC to work on her research project regarding faith and religion contributions to developing a country.  On 17 August 2009, Professor Marshall participated in the Asia Faiths Development Dialogue lecture series. She spoke about the lack of knowledge people have to translate religion into practice. Cambodia will be the first country she is reviewing on how religion contributes to international development.  “Hopefully the study will benefit Cambodia and serve as a model for other countries in the region and the entire world,” stated Professor Marshall.

She further explained about the importance of having a good “vision for a change.”  As she puts it, “A vision without a plan is just a dream; a plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a plan with a vision can change the world.” 

She went on commenting on the current state Cambodia is in, “You want to be a society that is known for its knowledge. You don’t want to be like other countries.” Someday, Cambodia can function as a leader for other countries. Even though the country is small it can “act” like a big country. 

People realize that Cambodia is developing. But they also need to understand that development is a large concept. “Development is not just about growth, economics, and wealth. It’s about human development. Development must be anchored into a country’s reality, its core identity, and its values.” 

“No country that does not invest in its people can succeed,” she added. As a first step to understanding human development, Cambodia can focus on education. “Education may be the vital indication of the nation’s success.”

By understanding human development, people will realize that religion and culture are tightly woven together. “Religion can have special focus on the poor; concerns for equality; or relate to organizations. People need to know that religion gives meaning to some people’s lives, especially since it is very important to over 6 billion people across the world.”

Religion can be a moral compass. As a result, religion is relevant to everything, whether it’s fighting the spread of AIDS to preserving the natural habitat. “You need to have a passion. Religion is real and omnipresent. Therefore, Cambodia needs to have a vision to travel the path ahead.”

She noted that “some people believe that Cambodia will never develop. I believe otherwise. There is nothing in the basic teachings about religion that causes conflicts. However, it is the misuse of religion by political leaders that causes conflicts.” Professor Marshall is very passionate about Cambodia. She is set out to help the country in the best possible way that she can. 

“There are those who dream and those who have a passion. Those who dream have ideas that they can see should be achievable. But those who have a passion care. They care so much that they are determined to achieve that goal no matter what it takes.”