Religion and development
Rooted in faith. Connected to people.
Effective Together.
Understanding Religion.
Shaping the future together.
For many people, religion is far more than a matter of personal faith. It shapes identity, values, and social coexistence. Religious communities foster a sense of belonging, provide guidance, and can be important forces for social change. Taking people seriously in the full context of their lives also means seeking to understand their religious and cultural references.
Religion can promote peace and justice, but it can also reinforce exclusion and conflict. Mission 21 addresses these differing effects and combines its Christian roots with interfaith dialogue and partnership-based development cooperation. Together with local partner organizations, we strengthen self-determined development and social change driven by the local people themselves.
Rooted in Christianity.
Open to everyone.
Our Christian roots provide us with guidance and shape our outlook. They connect us with people of different religions and worldviews in our shared commitment to justice, peace, and a life of dignity for all.
Long-standing relationships
Over the course of more than 200 years of shared history, relationships have developed that connect countries, cultures, and religions. They form the foundation for long-term partnerships, mutual trust, and a willingness to learn from one another.
Dialogue on Equal Terms
We approach different religious and cultural perspectives with openness and respect. In interfaith dialogue, we examine our own perspectives, foster mutual understanding, and develop solutions together.
Local Responsibility
Our partner organizations determine the focus of their work and design their programs independently, in collaboration with Mission 21. Their knowledge, their experience, and their deep roots in local communities are crucial. Mission 21 guides and supports them as part of a global network.
What Holistic Development Means
Our approach shapes various areas of our work—from peacebuilding and education to health. The example of health, in particular, illustrates why religious and cultural realities cannot be ignored in development cooperation.
Seeing People as a Whole
Health means more than the absence of illness. The whole-person health approach considers people in the full context of their lives: with their physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs. These dimensions are interconnected and cannot be understood independently of one another.
The key factor here is the perspective of the people themselves. Their experiences, their cultural and religious beliefs, and their ideas about what constitutes a good life determine what kind of support is appropriate. Local communities and partner organizations play a central role in this.
What Gives People a Sense of Stability
Just how important it is to listen to people is illustrated by an example from Nigeria, which Jochen Kirsch described in his article on Whole Person Health: In addition to food, shelter, and medical care, displaced people also cited a church and a mosque as urgent needs— places of community, faith, and hope.
If you want to support people in a holistic way, you must also understand what gives them a sense of purpose, belonging, and stability.
International Recognition
Mission 21 Director Jochen Kirsch was presented with the «Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Leadership Award 2026» on June 19, 2026, at Harvard University. He accepted the award on behalf on behalf of Mission 21’s global network . The award recognizes the shared commitment to holistic health and sustainable development—and an approach that places people, with their diverse life realities and needs, at the center.
“We can be stronger—we can be better— we can serve better—together.”
Together for Human Dignity
At the 2026 Global Health Catalyst Summit, Jochen Kirsch spoke with Dr. Fatima Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, about global efforts to combat violence against women and girls.
For Fatima Bio, gender equality is a human rights issue that transcends religious boundaries. As a Muslim woman, she calls on people to take shared responsibility and to work toward human dignity, the protection of women and girls, and a society free from violence.
How Posture Leads to Impact
Peace and Coexistence
Religious communities shape social life and can build important bridges between people. Together with our partner organizations, we promote interfaith dialogue, strengthen peace-building initiatives, and support people who are committed to mutual understanding and nonviolent coexistence.
Health and Life Prospects
Sustainable support begins with listening to people and taking their needs seriously. Together with local partner organizations, we combine health and psychosocial support with the strengthening of communities and the creation of new prospects for the future. Religious and cultural contexts are taken into account in this process.
Education and Social Change
Education opens up new perspectives and empowers people to critically examine existing structures. Together with educational institutions and religious leaders, we promote dialogue on social responsibility, justice, and human rights— and empower people to help shape change themselves.
Shaping the Future Together
Our Christian roots provide us with guidance. What matters most is what comes of this: trust that transcends religious and cultural boundaries, cooperation based on partnership, and new perspectives for people and communities. Together with our partner organizations, we are committed to a more just and peaceful world.
