The Civil Society Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) has assessed international policies such as the Millennium Development Goals and concluded that they cannot be met with economic growth as the driver of development.

Instead, it promotes political leadership and commitment to sustainable approaches. However, aid budgets are in decline, and in many parts of the world the voices of civil society are being silenced.

To examine these issues, ACT organised the first Global Consultation of the Faith-Based Development Organisations on Participation in the CPDE. The meeting in Geneva, attended by 20 representatives of global faithbased organisations (FBOs), was a space for reflection on how to strengthen joint work and for prioritising actions.

It was agreed to promote involvement of FBOs in the national CPDE platforms. Over time, the group hopes to include an increasingly broad spectrum of faiths.