Culturally Sensitive Approaches

Lessons from the Field

Brazil

Building Bridges with Faith-based Organizations

UNFPA has adopted a strategy of “selective collaboration” with the Catholic Church in Brazil: identifying and working together in those areas where objectives coincide, while respecting the boundaries inherent in each partner's mandate.

WHAT WORKS? Lessons from Brazil

  • Even within seemingly monolithic institutions, there are different schools of thought. Recognizing this can provide openings for work with nontraditional partners.

  • Adopting a strategy of selective collaboration becomes possible when all partners agree to respect each other's mandates and beliefs, while demonstrating the openness and willingness to work with each other within the boundaries set by each institution.

  • Supporting grass-roots organizations whose networks and coverage are extensive, especially among women, can be a way of broadening UNFPA's reach.

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