Colombo, Sri Lanka | 7–8 November 2026

The World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD), in collaboration with the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL), convened the final gathering of the initiative Strategic Religious Engagement for Inclusive Development: Four Years of Learning and Pathways Forward on 7–8 November 2026 at the Granbell Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Supported by the Templeton Religion Trust, the four-year initiative brought together partners and representatives from Ghana, Senegal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka to explore how religious actors, institutions and networks can contribute more effectively to inclusive development and address complex social challenges within their respective contexts.

The two-day convening provided an opportunity to reflect on the experiences, achievements and lessons emerging from the initiative, strengthen relationships among participating country teams, and consider pathways for sustaining and advancing strategic religious engagement beyond the project period.

Sharing Experiences, Learning and Future Pathways

The first day featured presentations from representatives of Ghana, Senegal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, highlighting four years of project experiences, key achievements, findings, lessons learned and future pathways. The afternoon public forum brought together religious leaders, development practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders for a panel discussion and audience exchange on the role of religious actors in advancing inclusive development, social protection and community resilience.

The second day focused on reflecting on the initiative’s achievements, challenges and future opportunities for collaboration. International delegates also visited Sarvodaya Headquarters in Moratuwa to learn about its community development approach and grassroots partnerships, followed by a visit to Vishva Niketan International Peace Centre to explore its work in promoting peace, dialogue and social harmony.

Strengthening Partnerships for Inclusive Development

The final convening marked an important milestone in the four-year journey of Strategic Religious Engagement for Inclusive Development. It reinforced the importance of recognising religious actors not merely as community stakeholders, but as potential partners in addressing poverty, vulnerability, social exclusion and other development challenges.

For SIHL and Sarvodaya, the convening also provided an important opportunity to share Sri Lankan experiences with international partners while contributing to wider discussions on the role of faith-based engagement in building inclusive, resilient and cohesive societies.

The gathering concluded with a shared recognition that the relationships, knowledge and practical experiences developed through the initiative provide a valuable foundation for continued collaboration and future efforts towards inclusive development.