International Christian Organizations and the Development of Sub-Saharan Africa – A Critical Study James Tiburcio Universidade de Brasília Instituto de Relações Internacionais jamestiburcio@yahoo.com Abstract According to recent studies cited by Doces and Woodberry (2006), there are great difficulties in linking international state-to-state aid and economic growth. Woodberry (2004) demonstrates the importance of international Christian missionary work as a source of economic growth and development. Since the Christian Mission in Africa International Conference held at Le Zonte, Belgium, September 14-20, 1926 (Davis, 1927), there has been special interest in studying the contribution of international Christian organizations especially in education, which Woodberry (2004), points out, leads to human capital accumulation, directly contributing towards greater economic growth and development. Has Christian missionary activity had a positive impact on the socio-economic scenario in Sub-Saharan Africa in the last sixty years? This paper will examine the impacts of international Christian organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa through the analyses of past academic, institutional and governmental studies and data on the subject. I will focus on international Christian organizations which have worked primarily in educational projects. Regarded by many as another tool used by western nation-states to institute a hegemonic pro-western mindset (Hickling-Hudson, 2004), these organizations have long been active in the African continent. Prepared for presentation at the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture Annual Meeting, Friday, November 2, Tampa - FL. Panel B7.