- Faith, Assets, and Community: How “Use Your Talents” Transforms Congregations in Madagascar
For a long time, faith-based organizations (FBOs) were overlooked in global development discussions. Today, however, they are increasingly recognized as key actors in the fight against poverty. In the Global South—where resources are often scarce—FBOs play a vital role by mobilizing their members, fostering participation, and empowering communities. One inspiring example is the Use Your…
- Master’s Thesis: Women, use your talents!
Zo Ramiandra Rakotoarison’s Master’s Thesis “Women, use your talents!” asks the important question of how the application of the Use Your Talents project in the Malagasy Lutheran Church empowers women. By collecting data via one-on-one and focus group interviews, this paper looks to gain an understanding of the impact of an emphasis on gender equality…
- The use of Diaconal Asset-Based Approach as a tool for the inclusion of persons with disabilities
Amos Ounsoubo’s Master’s Thesis provides a fascinating look into using an asset-based approach to help include persons with disabilities. The thesis approaches the issue of inclusion of persons with disabilities by looking for their strengths, abilities, competences, and skills, rather than their vulnerability. By focusing on the work of the association HANDICARE with hearing-impaird youth…
- Tackling Poverty with Local Assets: A Case Study on Congregational Asset-Based Community Development in a Lutheran Church in Madagascar
This article (see download link below), which was originally featured in “Diaconia: Journal for the Study of Christian Social Practice”, features an excellent analysis of how congregational diakonia can contribute to community development despite the lack of external resources. By studying the use of the Use Your Talents asset-based approach in two Lutheran Church congregations…
For a long time, faith-based organizations (FBOs) were overlooked in global development discussions. Today, however, they are increasingly recognized as key actors in the fight against poverty. In the Global South—where resources are often scarce—FBOs play a vital role by mobilizing their members, fostering participation, and empowering communities. One inspiring example is the Use Your…
Zo Ramiandra Rakotoarison’s Master’s Thesis “Women, use your talents!” asks the important question of how the application of the Use Your Talents project in the Malagasy Lutheran Church empowers women. By collecting data via one-on-one and focus group interviews, this paper looks to gain an understanding of the impact of an emphasis on gender equality…
Amos Ounsoubo’s Master’s Thesis provides a fascinating look into using an asset-based approach to help include persons with disabilities. The thesis approaches the issue of inclusion of persons with disabilities by looking for their strengths, abilities, competences, and skills, rather than their vulnerability. By focusing on the work of the association HANDICARE with hearing-impaird youth…
This article (see download link below), which was originally featured in “Diaconia: Journal for the Study of Christian Social Practice”, features an excellent analysis of how congregational diakonia can contribute to community development despite the lack of external resources. By studying the use of the Use Your Talents asset-based approach in two Lutheran Church congregations…