Many development experts have been treating religion as taboo for a long time. Technical and material development have been viewed as key. However, they often have no impact on the population unless cultural and, in particular, religious factors are taken into consideration as well.
Swiss relief organisations and the state development agency SDC have been dealing intensively with the topic of religion and spirituality in the 'Entwicklung und Religion' project. They give practical advice for dealing with religion in the scope of development cooperation. 

Anne-Marie Holenstein
Freelance development cooperation consultant
Zurich, Switzerland
amholenstein@bluewin.ch