Sowing Hope: Ecology, Integral Human Development and Theological Peacebuilding

Sowing Hope investigates the notion of “integral ecology” as the theoretical and practical nexus that connects theology, peacebuilding, ecological ethics and Catholic Social Teaching. The research answers three broad questions relating to the conceptualization, application and impact of integral ecology. What is integral ecology, and how does it relate to other themes in the Catholic social tradition? Can be applied, and how? What is the impact of its application? In answering these questions, Sowing Hope employs a scholar-practitioner methodology, which involves working and studying one model of integral ecology application: Bethany Land Institute in Uganda. The study advances Kellogg Institute’s mission, for research around the theme of integral human development. Lessons from Sowing Hope will inform and advance the IHD research lab for it will not only advance theoretical clarification around the notion of Integral Human Development, it will highlight a “case study”, which will hopefully be a model for study and research by students in the various KSGA programs.