Resources
A growing library of multi-faith urban development resources
Resources For WUF13: Faith Traditions Engaging Human Flourishing and the Sustainable Development Goals
At the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13), people of faith from around the world are gathering not only to discuss the future of cities and human settlements, but to explore how the wisdom, practices, and moral imagination of diverse religious and spiritual traditions can contribute to the flourishing of all people and the whole of creation.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a shared global framework for addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time—including poverty, housing, inequality, climate change, peacebuilding, education, and ecological sustainability. Yet these goals cannot be realized through policy and technical solutions alone. They must also be rooted in the values, stories, relationships, and spiritual traditions that shape how communities understand human dignity, responsibility, justice, and the common good.
Globally, the majority of humanity identifies with a religious or spiritual tradition. Faith communities therefore represent one of the world’s largest sources of social trust, moral formation, relational infrastructure, volunteer mobilization, and long-term institutional presence. Across traditions, faith communities are increasingly engaging the SDGs and related global frameworks through the lens of their own sacred teachings and practices.
This resource page highlights a selection of faith-based resources and initiatives that connect religious and spiritual traditions to sustainability, justice, human flourishing, and the SDGs. These resources are not presented as uniform approaches, but as examples of how different traditions are translating global challenges into their own theological, ethical, and spiritual languages.
Our hope is that these resources inspire deeper reflection, collaboration, and faithful action within communities around the world.
We also hope this resource list inspires faith communities, scholars, practitioners, and organizations to develop new spiritual and formational resources that translate the wisdom of their traditions into practical responses to today’s global challenges—especially SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, where the future of humanity, community life, and ecological well-being will increasingly be determined.
Christian Resources
Faith for the Flourishing of All: Following Jesus into the Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Dr. Dwight Freisen, this Christian small-group study and discipleship resource was specifically developed for WUF13. The study explores each of the 17 SDGs through Scripture, theology, prayer, discussion, and practical action. Grounded in the biblical vision of shalom and the Way of Jesus, the guide invites Christians to engage issues such as poverty, housing, ecological stewardship, peace, and justice as integral dimensions of faithful discipleship.
Visit Dr. Freisen’s website to learn more and download the study guide, or you can download the guide directly at this link.
Muslim Resources
Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth
Developed through the UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative in collaboration with Muslim scholars and leaders, Al-Mizan offers a powerful Islamic theological framework for ecological stewardship, sustainability, and care for creation. Drawing on Qur’anic teachings and Islamic ethics, it emphasizes balance, justice, mercy, and humanity’s responsibility as stewards of the earth.
Islamic Relief Worldwide
Islamic Relief has developed numerous resources and initiatives connecting Islamic teachings on compassion, justice, stewardship, zakat, and human dignity to sustainable development, poverty alleviation, humanitarian response, and community flourishing.
Buddhist Resources
Soka Gakkai International and the SDGs
Soka Gakkai International (SGI) has emerged as one of the leading Buddhist organizations engaging the SDGs through education, peacebuilding, youth empowerment, sustainability, and human dignity. SGI’s resources explore themes such as interdependence, compassion, ecological responsibility, and the creation of peaceful and resilient societies.
One Earth Sangha
A Buddhist ecodharma organization focused on climate change, ecological healing, and spiritual practice, One Earth Sangha offers contemplative and action-oriented resources rooted in mindfulness, compassion, and the interdependence of all life.
Tzu Chi Foundation
The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a global humanitarian organization that engages the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through disaster relief, healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, environmental stewardship, and community service rooted in Buddhist compassion and mindful living. With consultative status at the United Nations ECOSOC and active participation in global sustainability and climate forums, Tzu Chi demonstrates how faith traditions can contribute to human flourishing, ecological responsibility, and resilient communities through long-term humanitarian action, volunteer mobilization, and care for both people and the planet.
Jewish Resources
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL)
COEJL provides Jewish educational and advocacy resources related to climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and public policy. Its work draws on Jewish teachings regarding stewardship, justice, sabbath economics, and tikkun olam (“repairing the world”).
Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition
A coalition helping Jewish institutions and communities advance climate action and sustainability through faith-rooted education, leadership, and practical commitments.
Multifaith Resources
UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative
A major global initiative working at the intersection of faith, environment, sustainability, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Faith for Earth developed significant and still-relevant resources that supported collaboration among faith communities, the United Nations, and civil society organizations to advance ecological stewardship, climate action, and sustainable development. Although the initiative formally concluded in 2025, its publications, networks, and frameworks continue to inform and inspire faith-based engagement in global environmental and sustainability efforts.
Religions for Peace
A global interfaith organization bringing religious communities together to advance peace, justice, human dignity, and sustainable development through collaborative action.
Relèven Foundation, Canada
The Winnipeg Declaration is a multi-faith national initiative in Canada calling on faith communities, public partners, and civic organizations to transform underutilized faith-owned land and buildings into affordable housing, community hubs, and social infrastructure to help address homelessness.
Academic Resources
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, USA
Affordable Housing and Shelter on Faith Land Database is an online searchable database cataloguing affordable housing developments and shelters built on religious property in the United States between 2015-2025. http://rwv.rutgers.edu/fbah
Affordable Housing and Shelter Built on Faith Land in the United States, 2015-2025 report accompanies the database and examines trends and patterns that emerge from the data. https://rwv.rutgers.edu/affordable-housing-and-shelter-on-faith-land-in-the-united-states-2015-2025/
Terner Center for Housing Innovation, UC Berkeley, USA
Faith-Based and College Land for Housing is a research report examining how faith-based institutions and colleges can leverage underutilized land to support affordable housing, community development, and equitable urban growth in the United States.
Toward a Shared Future
The challenges facing our cities and communities are immense, interconnected, and deeply human. Yet so too are the resources present within the world’s faith traditions: moral imagination, spiritual wisdom, social trust, compassion, community, and hope.
While each tradition speaks in its own language and from its own sacred sources, together these efforts point toward a shared aspiration: a world where every person can live with dignity, where communities flourish, where peace and justice are pursued, and where humanity lives in right relationship with one another and the earth.We invite you to explore these resources, engage in dialogue across traditions, and join the growing movement of faith communities contributing to the flourishing of all people and all creation.
UN-Habitat Faith Engagement
UN-Habitat Director Message for WUF11 Side Event
SDG Cities Faith-based Partnerships
Statements
Faith Pavilion WUF12 Call To Action (2024)
(Multi-Faith)
The Gospel and the Future of Cities:
A Call to Action (2018)
(Protestant Evangelical)
Multi-Faith Covenantal Pluralism
(Multi-Faith)
Relevant United Nations Statements
WUF12 Cairo Call to Action (2024)
(UN-Habitat)
Pact for the Future (2024)
(United Nations)
Books and Articles
7 Ways Faith Organizations Are Making Cities More Sustainable and Equitable (2023).
WEF Faith in Action report.
Co-authored by Dr. Chris Elisara (Executive Director) and Gopal Patel (Advisory Committee).
Media
Safe Cities: Anti Knife Crime Campaign by Bahu Trust, UK
(Muslim)