Arnhild Leer-Helgesen

• Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild (2018). Rethinking diakonia and transforming our world. The Ecumenical Review. ISSN 0013-0796. 70(1), p. 147–162. doi: 10.1111/erev.12336. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article analyzes how ecumenical diakonia contributes to a critical view of the power dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, it presents both the opportunities and the challenges the SDGs provide in rethinking diakonia and diaconal praxis. The commitment of the global community to the SDGs signifies a new context for diaconal praxis at local and international levels. In this article, power relations and the priority of the marginalized are presented as key concerns for rethinking diakonia in the current context. A model for diaconal reflection, based on perspectives from development studies and theology, is suggested as a tool for an interdisciplinary rethinking of diakonia aiming at renewed praxis in the context of the SDGs.

• Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild (2016). Transformative theology: an ecumenical approach to transformation in Guatemala. Mission studies. ISSN 0168-9789. 33(2), p. 187–208. doi: 10.1163/15733831-12341447. Show summary

  The Latin American debate on development has been put on the agenda of theologians and church leaders since the 1960s, most critically by the representatives of liberation theology. Different epistemological and hermeneutic approaches have been used. By using a case from Guatemala this paper claims that different theological discourses are in play and influence the way political, social, economic and cultural development is understood and practiced. These discourses are often in conflict with each other. Bjune (2012) argues that the growth and strength of the Alliance of Evangelical Churches in Guatemala (AEG) have made “the evangelicals” a political actor in the country, contributing to maintaining the privileges of the rich and powerful. I argue that the Conference of Evangelical Churches in Guatemala (CIEDEG) and their use of theology can be seen as a counter discourse to that of AEG as well as to what can be seen as western development thinking. The different theological discourses are thus also linked to economy and political influence: While AEG seems to go hand in hand with strong economic forces, the international support for the ecumenically-oriented CIEDEG has declined. This article focuses on theological discourse as an important field in the debate on religion and development in Latin America.

• Helgesen, Arnhild (2012). Prophetic diakonia : voices from Latin America. Norsk tidsskrift for misjonsvitenskap. ISSN 1504-6605. 66(2), p. 111–126. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The concept “prophetic diakonia” was lifted on the agenda at the WCC meeting in Larnaca in 1986. The debate challenges the traditional understanding of diakonia as humble service, an understanding that had developed within the European tradition. Prophetic diakonia has particularly been embraced as a central concept in churches in the Global South. This article presents the theological foundation and uses the socio-political situation in Latin-America after the year 2000 to discuss how one can understand the concept of prophetic diakonia. Both the method and the analyzed material are taken from Latin American theological debate. The article concludes that prophetic diakonia is challenging to the church, but that it also includes a possibility for transformation, reconciliation and empowerment, both within the church and in the society as a whole.

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• Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild (2020). Negotiating Religion and Development. Identity Construction and Contention in Bolivia. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-138-39232-8. 151 p.

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• Nilsen, Ann Christin Eklund; Haaland, Hanne; Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild; Revheim, Cecilie & Reichert, Frank (2023). En verden av muligheter? Khrono.
• Buseth, Jill Tove; Holmarsdottir, Halla Bjørk; Haaland, Hanne & Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild (2023). Er det bistandsmidler som skal sikre kvalitet i norsk høyere utdanning? Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116. 3. oktober 2023.
• Jentoft, Nina; Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild; Helmersen, Migle & Hellang, Øyvind (2020). Rekruttering av flyktninger i kommunal oppvekstsektor og omsorgssektor - Presentasjon av et forskningsprosjekt i #drømmejobben 9. november 2020 .
• McNeish, John-Andrew; Leer, Lars; Krøvel, Roy Gunnar; Nymark, Johannes Andreas; Gloppen, Siri & Leifsen, Esben [Show all 19 contributors for this article] (2013). Menneskerettighetene er udelelige. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116.
• Jentoft, Nina; Leer-Helgesen, Arnhild; Helmersen, Migle & Hellang, Øyvind (2020). Rekruttering av flyktninger - Arbeides det for lite med likestilling, inkludering og mangfold i Agder-kommunene som arbeidsgivere? NORCE Norwegian Research Centre. ISSN 978-82-8408-094-9.

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