Faith-Based Participation in Natural-Resource Governance: Communities Defending Life and Territories in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico

The World Resources Institute, the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, Campion Hall, and the University of Oxford, in collaboration with researchers and local communities in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, explore the ways in which religious actors shape strategies for finding peaceful solutions to socio-environmental conflicts and disputes in their regions. Religious communities are fundamental, but often overlooked, actors in such conflicts. This report highlights their unique role in defending life and territories through spiritual, community, and socio-political strategies, promoting development models that prioritize human and ecological well-being. Recognizing and supporting the contributions of these religious communities is essential for achieving sustainable, locally-led development.