About the Institute Nominated for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Peace, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy. The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights - especially the right of religious freedom - and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom and democracy throughout the world. Institute on Religion and Public Policy 1620 I Street, NW Suite LL10 Washington, DC 20006 202-835-8760 www.religionandpolicy.org irpp@religionandpolicy.org Staff and Volunteers Based in Washington, D.C. but with volunteers and supporters in strategic positions around the globe, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is very fortunate to have staff and volunteers who are energetic, committed, dedicated, intelligent, and innovative. Our staff and volunteers in the Washington office grows each day as we continue to undertake new and exiting programs to advance fundamental rights around the globe. Our volunteers and President's Circle are growing each day as well, improving the Institute's capacity to work with states and countries to protect and promote religious freedom. Our incredibly active intern program provides college students an unparallel opportunity to engage with heads of state, parliamentarians, religious leaders, and policymakers of all stripes, and prepares them well for life in politics, diplomacy, media, national security, ministry and many other fields, as demonstrated by the successful careers of interns who have worked for IRPP in the past. Joseph K. Grieboski, Founder and President Douglas B. Shaw, Vice President and Senior Fellow, International Security Affairs Kevin Paquette, Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the President Kyle M. Ballard, Director, International Consortium on Religion, Culture, and Dialogue Sarah Bishop, Director of Administration Jackie Shafir, Coordinator, Interparliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Religious Freedom Nicholas Gvosdev, Senior Fellow Sheikh Ahmed Subhy Mansour, Senior Fellow, Islamic Thought Board of Directors The Board of Directors of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy serves as its policy-making body and provides broad oversight for the organization. The members of the board are chosen for two-year terms. The board meets quarterly to discuss, evaluate and resolve financial and organizational issues. How We Are Funded The Institute on Religion and Public Policy is funded at this time solely by individuals committed to the advancement, protection and promotion of religious freedom. The Institute on Religion and Public Policy has never, does not, and will never receive funds from a government or a religion or denomination for its programs or operations in order to maintain our objectivity of activity. Our operations and programs are primarily funded through our President's Circle. The President's Circle is an elite group of activists and donors who work closely with the Institute on Religion and Public Policy to promote religious freedom worldwide. President's Circle Members travel with the Institute to international conferences, head humanitarian efforts in human rights abused countries, provide invaluable financial support for Institute's programs and play an active role in promoting religious freedom worldwide. From setting up emergency dental clinics in Darfur, to private tours of exclusive Vatican grounds, to face-to-face meetings with US Congressmen, President's Circle Members gain high-level access to real decision makers and play an important role in shaping the issues surrounding religious freedom and human rights. Operational Philosophy Freedom of religion is arguably the right most intimately connected to human dignity. Human beings are characterized by the capacity to reason, by a conscience formed through intellect and experience, and by the power to act on reason and conscience. As such, every person is "hard wired" with a thirst to know the truth about the origin, nature, purpose and destiny of mankind. Accordingly, to protect religious freedom is to protect the right to seek that truth, and the right peacefully to live and worship in accord with it, both individually and in community with others. (Religious freedom also protects those who believe the search for truth, and the moral imperatives that ensue, involve not only rights but also binding obligations.) Religious freedom goes to the core of what it means to be human and what it means to say (as does, for example, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) that human beings possess an intrinsic and inviolable dignity. A guarantee of religious freedom also supports the other fundamental rights necessary to all human persons: because it is grounded in the universal dignity of the human person, religious freedom encourages other related rights. A government that denies the right to freedom of religion and belief is far more likely to deny other rights central to human dignity, such as freedom from torture or murder. The reverse is also true. Freedom of religion and belief is also closely connected to other civil and political rights necessary to democracy. Without freedom of conscience, there is no freedom of speech, as believers cannot communicate among themselves about their most fundamental beliefs; there is no freedom of assembly, as like-minded believers cannot meet to share their beliefs and worship their Creator; and there is no freedom of the press, as believers cannot print and share their beliefs with others. Religious individuals and groups need and deserve freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to be secure in their homes from unwarranted government intrusion. Where freedom of religion and belief is protected by governments, promoted by religious believers and institutions, and valued by citizens, religion-based violence, repression, and terrorism will not take root. In this sense, freedom of religion is an antidote to terrorism, especially religion-based terrorism, because it encourages a theological and political awareness of the need to accept the "other." To discriminate against religious beliefs, or to discredit religious practice, is exclusion contrary to respect for fundamental human dignity that will eventually destabilize society by creating a climate of tension, intolerance, opposition, and suspicion not conducive to social peace. A religion's recognition of the necessity of freedom of religion and belief indicates the theological centrality that every individual has value and worth. In truth, religious freedom is at the heart of the basic beliefs and theologies of every major global faith. Headquartered in Washington, DC, and with partners across the globe, the Institute facilitates the expression of faith in the public interest through program activities and research on the public policymaking process. The Institute promotes cooperation and communication between policymakers and religious institutions, and strives to build and strengthen relationships among them on the domestic and international public policy stages. In order to advance international human rights, religious freedom, and rule of law, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy holds lectures and conferences, produces reports, and most importantly carries out advocacy globally. By building well-grounded, trusted relationships with policy makers and religious leaders around the world, the Institute works to facilitate the expression of faith in the public interest. By focusing its efforts on issues such as international religious freedom, national security and culture, global business, inter-religious dialogue, and conflict resolution, the Institute strives to strengthen the bridge between religion and policy to advance a more constructive and peaceful future. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of democracy and freedom throughout the world. Because of the wide variety of differences in culture, history, belief, and governance globally, the Institute does not and cannot apply a single standard approach to religious freedom situations in countries. The Institute's methodology is to work directly with those affecting and affected by potential or actual discrimination and persecution.