SRI is delighted to announce the signing of an International Research Exchange Agreement with the Catholic University of Korea for research entitled “Faith-Based Civil Society Organizations and Social Capital for Political Change: Kenya and Korea”.

The study will explore the role of faith-based civil society organizations, specifically churches, in generating social capital for democratic change in Kenya and South Korea. It will highlight the transnational network resources in providing input into social movement organization and leadership skills. Identity values as a mobilizational resource will be a particular focus of study and research. As such, the intersection between national, secular identity and sectarianism is noted. A thematic focus will be on defending and institutionalizing liberal democratic values amidst the humanitarian and political crises generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research will be conducted by Dr. Rosa S. Ko (President, Sochin Research Institute) and Dr. Benedict E. DeDominicis (Associate Professor of Political Science, Catholic University of Korea).