Author Archives: RFBF

DR. SEIPLE ACCEPTS INVITATION TO CHAIR WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S COUNCIL ON THE ROLE OF FAITH. Chris is a board member of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation.

Following his service as Vice-Chair (2012-2014), Chris Seiple has accepted the nomination to serve as Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Role of Faith (2014-2016). In this capacity Dr. Seiple will build on the work of the Council from the previous term, raising awareness of the unique positive contributions of faith communities. The Council is likely to explore the development of an information program for cross cultural engagement focused on how best to leverage socio-cultural, multi-faith engagement for conflict prevention and conflict transformation.

Washington, DC – (May 16, 2014) We are pleased to announce that Dr. Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement, has accepted the nomination to serve as Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Role of Faith (2014-2016).

In issuing the invitation, Dr. Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, noted that Seiple was “one of the world’s most relevant and knowledgeable thought leaders in the field of faith and international affairs”, and that his “leadership would be instrumental in helping this Council collaboratively develop pertinent insights and solutions to address this global challenge.”

Through his Chairmanship, Seiple will work with the Council on the Role of Faith to build on the achievements of the previous term and to further raise awareness of the unique positive contributions of faith communities. The Council is likely to explore the development of an informational program regarding how to leverage socio-cultural, multi-faith engagement for conflict prevention and conflict transformation. This program will likely focus on two sets of stakeholders: (1) public sector authorities in countries experiencing internal conflicts and/or restrictions related to religion; and, (2) business professionals, particularly those working in emerging markets and conflict affected regions.

“It is an honor to serve as the Chair for such a Network that understands the importance of track 1.5 diplomacy, and continuously seeks to collaboratively shape thought leadership in all arenas,” Seiple said in accepting the nomination. “I am especially motivated by the unique position this Council has to further awareness of the added value of faith across all vocations and locations.”

The Network of Global Agenda Councils is a global community of over 1,500 thought leaders who are the foremost experts in their fields of academia, business, government, international organizations, and society. Members of the Network, grouped into 80 Global Agenda Councils and six Meta Councils, commit their extensive knowledge, expertise, and passion to jointly shape the global, regional, and industry agendas by challenging conventional thinking, developing new insights, and creating innovative solutions for key global challenges. In today’s global environment marked by short-term orientation and siloed thinking, the Network fosters interdisciplinary and long-range thinking on the prevailing challenges on the global agenda. Established in 2008, the Network of Global Agenda Councils is an invitation-only knowledge network that serves as an international brain trust to the World Economic Forum and the world at large.

Through the leadership of Dr. Seiple, IGE welcomes the opportunity to continue providing strategic insight and recommendations into this vital discussion. The Network not only represents a shared space for those that might not have otherwise met, to meet, but it also provides the opportunity for scholarship on relevant issues for further consideration and study. The development of an information program on how to leverage socio-cultural, multi-faith engagement for conflict prevention and conflict transformation could also enhance the Network’s ability to speak into a common standard of training and education on these issues. The international nature of the Network further nurtures an organic structure for consensus pursuant positive change through the Network’s members, as they return to their contexts. Critical to such a process, of course, is the inclusion of women of faith in leadership, as Dr. Seiple advocated at Davos earlier this year.

“I am grateful for this opportunity, at this time,” Dr. Seiple noted. “In a century defined by a single question—will we be able to live with our deepest differences?—This World Economic Council on the Role of Faith provides a safe space to demonstrate how the best of faith not only defeats the worst of religion, but how faith can contribute positively in all spheres and sectors of both state and society.”

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BRASILIA: The Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s U.S. and Brazilian officers met with leading business and political leaders in the capital, Brasilia, and in the financial capital, São Paulo.

In Brasilia on May 14, the delegation led by Foundation President Brian Grim and the Brazilian Association President Ricardo Leite, met in the Presidential Palace Alvorada with the Minister of State and General Secretary of the President of the Republic, Gilberto Carvalho. Mr. Carvalho welcomed the Foundation’s recommendation that Brazil take a leading role in promoting religious freedom worldwide.

Deputy Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Ricardo Schaefer, expressed similar sentiments. Earlier in the day Grim and Brazilian board member Romanna Remor met with Jose Augusto Coelho Fernandes, Policy and Strategy Director of the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry, to review the latest research on religious freedom’s positive contribution to business and industry.

These meetings build on previous meetings with Brazil’s Vice President Temer and other leading business, political and religious leaders.

 

Brazilian Association Launched!

Brazilian Officers and Board

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PRESS RELEASE – Brazil to host major events on religious freedom & business May 13-23, 2014, including a global webinar from Sao Paulo, Brazil’s commercial capital on May 21, and a forum in the capital, Brasilia, at the Congress on May 19.

Join Us for a GOBAL WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM EDT

Religious freedom enables business to be more productive. This webinar will review research and provide information about this relationship while offering concrete ways for the business community to collaborate with government and non-governmental organizations in promoting respect for freedom of religion or belief.

The webinar will be co-hosted by the UN Global Compact’s Business for Peace platform together with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. It will explain how businesses can effectively incorporate religious freedom in their strategic business plans for the benefit of their stakeholders, their employees, and society and also highlight the positive contributions to peace these actions can have in the workplace, marketplace, and local communities.  Finally, the webinar will also introduce a range of global initiatives that businesses and other stakeholders are welcome to join. REGISTER

The Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s work in sustainable economic development for religious minorities, help for business executives to engage on religious freedom, and a certificate coursein religious freedom & business received enthusiastic interest in Mexico last week, as Foundation President Grim held a series of meetings with key audiences.

ACADEMICS: The Foundation discussed the ways academics can contribute to the Foundation’s sustainable development projects and the certificate course with representatives from two of Mexico’s leading Universities, Monterey Technical Institute, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Grim has previously lectured for Monterey Tech as part of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s Faith & Globalization Initiative.

SOCIETY: The Foundation met with the Fundación Incluyendo México (Inclusive Foundation of Mexico) a foundation working for a sustainable and prosperous Mexico as well as the world at large, focusing on vulnerable communities and families. The Fundación Incluyendo has a broad network of business and civic leaders that are looking to engage in practical projects directed to these ends. The Fundación Incluyendo works with people of all faiths, including with the LDS Church in Mexico, which helped organize the meetings.

GOVERNMENT: Grim also met with several government leaders, including with Dr. Arturo Manuel Diaz Leon, Director General of Religious Associations, the Mexican agency that manages relations between the Mexican government and religious associations.

The Foundation anticipates further work in Mexico, beginning with a planning meeting in September 2014 and a forum in February/March 2015 to work on a sustainable business project that helps increase interfaith understanding and peace in southern Mexico, where traditional communities and newer faiths sometimes experience tensions and conflict.

For a summary of the religious freedom situation in Mexico, see the 2012 CSW report.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM EDT

Religious freedom enables business to be more productive. This webinar will review research and provide information about this relationship while offering concrete ways for the business community to collaborate with government and non-governmental organizations in promoting respect for freedom of religion or belief.

The webinar will be co-hosted by the UN Global Compact’s Business for Peace platform together with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. It will explain how businesses can effectively incorporate religious freedom in their strategic business plans for the benefit of their stakeholders, their employees, and society and also highlight the positive contributions to peace these actions can have in the workplace, marketplace, and local communities.  Finally, the webinar will also introduce a range of global initiatives that businesses and other stakeholders are welcome to join.REGISTER

FRO IMMEDIATE RELASE – MAY 3, 2014 – 

The UN Global Compact’s Business for Peace platform and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation call for nominations of businesses that have advanced interfaith understanding and peace through their core business and/or outreach activities to be highlighted in new resource/publication.

Deadline for nominations is May 23, 2014.

Building on the common objectives of the Business for Peace platform and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, these organizations are collaborating to develop a new resource/publication. This project will provide case studies that expand existing research showing that religious freedom leads to peace, stability, global competitiveness, and better business environments for majorities and minorities alike, including for women.

The resource will profile approximately 5 examples of how companies have taken action to advance inter-religious understanding and peace. Relevant examples will be drawn from multiple regions of the world and from a variety of business sectors.

• Eligibility: Any company with ten or more employees that has taken concrete steps to address a challenge involving interfaith understanding or peace, ideally, as part of their core business, or alternatively through community outreach (see examples).
• Recommended: Companies participating in the UN Global Compact’s Business for Peace platform and that also indicate willingness to be part of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s RFB Global Network will be considered first. (Also see main nominations page.)
• Deadline: Nominations must be received by May 23, 2014.

The case study project will also help set standards for the RF&B Foundation’s Biennial Religious Freedom & Business Global Awards. See NOMINATIONS for more information.

As the conflict on the border of Russia and Ukraine dominates world headlines, scholars from both countries made their way to the Russia’s National Research Nuclear University MEPhI in Moscow for an unprecedented event – an international seminar on religious demography, religious freedom and business.

Behind the gates of the high security institution lie innovations in religion and public life that made news before the April 30 seminar. Within the nuclear science university, its head, Rector Mikhail Strikhanov (pictured above), established a department of theology. By his account, the department helps provide ethical and spiritual input for the future top scientists of the nation so that nuclear science develops for the good of humanity. Some, however, argued that religion had no place in the halls of science.

MEPhI has just launched a Theology Department, opened a chapel for students, and encouraged application of theology and ethics to professional and scientific life.

The department is chaired by Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church and, by some accounts, the number two figure in the Church. Staff in the department include physicists who, after graduating from the university, became priests and monks in the church.

Within this unique context, Dr. Brian Grim, a quantitative social scientist and president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, led a seminar hosted personally by the Nuclear University’s rector. This full-day seminar was the culmination of a series of lectures on religious freedom’s relationship to social and economic outcomes at Moscow’s two leading institutions – Higher School of Economics.

These lectures and seminars are part of the Society, Religion, and Science Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Postgraduate School of the Russian Orthodox Church  and the University of St. Thomas. They are organized by Rev. Vladimir Shmaliy, Dr. Iryna Khromets, and Dr. Dmitry Uzlaner. The lecture series brings prominent international scholars to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev.

Grim is not a newcomer to the region. He previously directed economic development projects in Soviet Central Asia during the final years of the USSR, and more recently lectured in the first international demographic conference hosted by the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. He is also a contributor to the forthcoming Russian Encyclopedia of World Religion.

For more information or interviews: email or call +1.410.268.7809

Religious Freedom & Business Foundation President Brian Grim held a series of meetings in Finland and Norway to discuss the “waste to wealth” sustainability initiative of the Foundation.

In Finland, Grim was accompanied by Brazilian businessman, Carlos Martins. Their meetings were arranged by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM), with the aim of initiating planning for a sustainable business in Pakistan and/or Nepal among theDalit communities.

Dalits are members of the so-called untouchable Hindu caste, and are often marginalized in communities where they live. A number of Dalits in India, Pakistan and Nepal have converted to other faiths, including Christianity. They continue to be among the poorest of the poor in many locations where they live, sometimes negatively stereotyped and consigned to collect garbage.

Turning this negative stereotype into an opportunity, potential partners held preliminary meetings to explore grass roots waste collection and recycling enterprises in Dalit areas. The criteria include that the projects must be locally sustainable, part of a broader community development plan, and involve international partners who receive not only a return on their investment, but learn new business innovations from the project itself.

Such projects help struggling minority communities acquire not only economic resources but also social capital that better integrates them within the societies in which they live.

The meetings were multi-disciplinary, including leaders from research, innovation, technology, government and business sectors. For instance, Grim met with Managing Director Hannu Jokinen (pictured above) of the waste management company MOLOK in Nokia, Finland. MOLOK developed an innovative and efficient waste management system that reduces disease, smell and costs, with work throughout the world including in developing countries such as Namibia.

MOLOK is a potential partner for the Foundation’s “waste-to-wealth” project that will eventually include recycling and construction firms, academic research groups and development agencies partnering with local entrepreneurs among Dalit communities.

Grim went on from Finland to Oslo, Norway, where he briefed leading members of Parliament and the foreign secretary on these initiatives. He also met with Per Leif Saxegaard, Chairman of the Business for Peace Foundation. Grim also delivered a keynote talk at the annual meeting of Stefanus Alliance International, a Christian-based human rights organization working for freedom of religion or belief for people of any faith or belief.

Press Release
Melissa E. Grim

Religious Freedom & Business Foundation President Brian Grim is visiting Finland, as part of its sustainability initiative to participate in discussions on how business and scientific endeavors can foster religious freedom while creating an economic return.

Grim is accompanied by Brazilian businessman Carlos Martins for a series of meetings in Helsinki, Finland, on April 21 to 23, 2014.

The Finish Evangelical Lutheran Mission will be hosting discussions on the potential public and private partnerships in the recycling business benefitting marginalized groups in developing countries while fostering human rights and freedom of religion. They will meet with the Molok recycling company, which has businesses in places such as Namibia and India.

Among other events in Finland on April 22, 2014, Grim and Martins will meet with Mika Venamaki, Senior Economic Adviser at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. They will also meet with Sara Lindeman, Project Manager at Aalto University for Design, Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Science (renewable energy technologies).

Grim and Martins will also meet with the BYU Management Society on April 23, 2014. Other meetings will be with H.E. Norton de Andrade Mello Rapesta, Ambassador of Brazil to Finland, and lectures at the Annual Assembly of the Suomen Liikemiesten Lahetysliito to about forty Finish business people/executives.

After these meetings, Grim will speak at high level events in Oslo, Norway, and lecture in Moscow, Russia, on the connection between religious freedom and positive socio-economic outcomes.