Charmain Levy:Christian influences on Brazilian NGOs
Channel: GIRES-Global Research Institute
Date: 2021-05-27

Charmain Levy holds a PhD in anthropology and sociology of politics. She is a professor of social sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and titleholder of a SSHRC Insight research grant on social movements and political parties in Latin America. She is a specialist in the fields of international development studies, feminist studies, political sociology and Latin American Studies on which she has published several articles and book chapters. Her most recent publication is Genre, féminismes et développement: Une trilogie en construction (2019, PUO). She is a member of the Research Team on Inclusion and Governance in Latin America (ÉRIGAL) and the Réseau québécois en études féministes (RéQEF).

ABSTRACT
Christianism is a founding pillar of Brazilian society. Even in modern 21st century Brazil Christianism permeates political and state institutions and is a major collective force and personal inspiration for the great majority of Brazilians. Traditionally a Catholic country, the increasing numbers of Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches (today 1/3 of Brazilians) has increased their political and social influence in the past 25 years.
Civil society and NGO are also implicitly or explicitly under Christian influence. A faith-based spirit is present in the Christian origins of secular and progressive NGO as a continuing motivating and moral force. It is also observable in the number of Christian non-governmental organizations present in civil society (40%) many of which are Church sponsored.
The influence of faith based NGOs is present in the values of social justice and equality and their capacity to develop profound relationships with communities. However, it can also take the form of the exclusion of certain interests and voices concerning women’s reproductive rights, domestic violence, the LGBTQ+ community and other religions (i.e. Afro Brazilian) thus reflecting divergent values and perspectives present in Brazilian society. This results in mitigated outcomes concerning human development.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION
"Humanitarian Organizations: (Hi)Stories, Impact and Challenges"
Organizer: GIRES-Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship  
Date: 20-21 February 2021
Place: Amsterdam (Virtual)
More information: https://www.gires.org/activities/conferences/humanitarian-organizations-histories-impact-and-challenges/