special projects
Water is the single symbol shared by all religions, the leading cause of disease and death around the world, and the foundation to solving virtually every global health and development problem.
Faiths for Safe Water is the only advocacy project delivering the faith voice to help prioritize attention on the global water crisis. Susan founded Faiths for Safe Water to support the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. We do not advocate for any particular faith or field projects; we encourage all faiths to unite around this shared symbol and solution, and embody interfaith at its life-giving best. Co-founded by Susan Barnett and Rabbi Jack Bemporad, faith leaders and communities are encouraged to get in touch for free resources, including curriculum for youth. 
Women and girls have made tremendous strides toward achieving equal human rights, yet patriarchy remains in all countries and cultures, upheld by social and political structures, including religion.
Faith also plays a vital role in moving this oppressive mountain, to create a world where girls and boys are equally valued, and equally free. The Girl Child & her long walk to freedom is a unique project — a deep dive into the intersection of gender, faith and the contradictions which make girls vulnerable to systemic devaluation, overwork, and abuse. This 7-month global learning journey, facilitated by a different group Fellows from around the world each year, explores the ancient roots of patriarchy and contemporary faith-inspired changeagents who challenge it. Watch a terrific short animation here. Learn more about the Learning Journey here. Susan is honored to be among 12 Fellows from around the world who will help lead the 2021-2022 journey. |
The Auburn Senior Fellows are 24 of the most exciting faith leaders in the U.S., working to advance a multifaith movement for justice. Brought together by Auburn Seminary, these media-savvy leaders add a thought-provoking, values lens to journalism, organizing and advocacy.
Faith in Foreign Assistance (FIA) was a 5-year, time-limited initiative to strengthen U.S. public support and funding for global health and development assistance through the voice and lens of faith.
FIA supported the Interfaith Working Group on Foreign Assistance (IWGFA), a collaboration of over 50 faith-based global health, development, and humanitarian aid organizations. Faith-based organizations are vital government partners, and faith leaders and communities are crucial advocates for aid that works. Whether it’s maternal/child health, clean water, the dignity of sanitation, agriculture, food security, education, vaccinations, medical care, supporting refugees, and more, today’s children and families are thriving at a rate unprecedented in history. Yet we know so many needs remain and COVID, climate change, and instability have recently rolled back success. U.S. funding, influence and leadership are more important than ever to lead the way to greater human security. The IWGFA continues to fight for every child, worldwide. Faiths for Safe Water remains a proud member of the multifaith IWGFA. 
The FOUR: A fearsome faith foursome talkin’ about Black Life, Love, Power & Joy
HOSTS: Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Lisa Sharon Harper, Rev. Michael Ray Mathews Four of America’s most gifted, prophetic Black leaders are also four of the funniest, most irreverent, soulful and justice-rooted friends around. They've join their public voices in a very special podcast series as dynamic and deep as the books, films, television, speeches and sermons they’ve created, and protests they’ve led. People of all races and faiths are invited into this unapologetically African-American Gen X circle where smart, sophisticated and nuanced interviews with diverse guests meet wit and laughter among friends. 
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Global Water 2020 was a highly effective, time-limited effort to accelerate progress toward the under-recognized but solvable challenges of global water security. This three-year, non-partisan advocacy and facilitation initiative sought to increase the amount and effectiveness of human, financial and technical resources invested in the global water sector.
In particular GW2020 created a global movement to get water, sanitation and hygiene into healthcare facilities worldwide, engaging both in-country advocates and global leadership at the highest levels (UN, WHO, UNICEF, USAID, World Bank, Vatican, the Dalai Lama and more.) We are grateful for the outpouring of support for this truly neglected and fundamental issue in global health. 
Cause Communications, working with the world's leading whistleblower protection organization, the Government Accountability Project, co-created and launched Bearing Witness shortly after the 2020 election. Bearing Witness offers important new resources and pro bono legal support to help faith leaders and communities responsibility support those called by moral courage to speak out about government wrongdoing and abuses of power.
Whistleblowers play an essential role as catalysts of accountability and justice. Many who witness immoral, unethical and illegal acts in government-associated workplaces will turn to clergy who, bound by strict legal and moral confidentiality, serve as important confidants. Whistleblower situations are complex, and clergy need to be prepared to effectively support truth-tellers seeking guidance about whether and how to report wrongdoing. Likewise, whistleblowers need their faith communities’ understanding and support. Bearing Witness offers expert tools to help. |