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Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) Receive Religious Freedom Award

23 Mar, 2016

At the March 22nd International Religious Freedom Roundtable’s 4th Annual IRF Event* on Capitol Hill, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) received the Thomas Jefferson IRF (International Religious Freedom) Champion Award. 

The Awards were presented by Greg Mitchell, IRF Roundtable co-chair, and Kristin Wright, Open Doors USA Director of Advocacy. Ms. Wright’s comments follow.

Rubio awardSenator Marco Rubio

Today we are honoring Senator Marco Rubio for his extensive work in the area of international religious freedom. Among Senator Rubio’s many efforts in the area of religious freedom is his work as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to put pressure on authoritarian regimes such as China to respect religious freedom for all.

He has worked on several individual international religious freedom cases, including one to help a pregnant Sudanese woman named Meriam Ibrahim who was imprisoned and sentenced to death for her Christian faith. Senator Rubio was the Senate’s lead sponsor of the unanimously passed resolution that called for her immediate and unconditional release. Meriam and her family were allowed to leave Sudan and are now living in the United States. Sen. Rubio also advocated on the behalf of Pastor Saeed Abedini, who was imprisoned in Iran for his Christian faith from 2011-2016. Pastor Abedini was released earlier this year and has returned to the United States

Today we would particularly like to recognize Senator Rubio for the central role that he played last year as a driving force behind the reauthorization of USCIRF, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan commission dedicated to defending the freedom of religion worldwide. At a time when religious persecution throughout the world remains at an all-time high, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom faced possible extinction. Against many difficulties, Senator Rubio fought tirelessly for the protection of international religious freedom through the reauthorization of this crucial commission.

Senator Rubio, we know you haven’t been in this for the awards. As you have noted, religious freedom is under assault globally, and attacks on houses of worship, imprisonment, and even death are daily realities faced by persecuted people of faith throughout the world. And this is particularly true for religious minorities in the Middle East right now.

I want to take just a moment to encourage you that there are people around the world, victims of religious persecution, who would be here today to thank you if they could. Your work in this field has made a difference in the lives of people around the globe, and we want to recognize that today. Thank you for persevering in addressing issues of international religious freedom and being the tireless champion that you are.

On behalf of Open Doors and the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, we present you with this Thomas Jefferson International Religious Freedom Champion Award with gratitude for your efforts.

IMG_7774Congresswoman Anna Eshoo

This afternoon we have the privilege of honoring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo. Representative Eshoo has been a tireless champion of international religious freedom around the globe. Among her many efforts in the area of religious freedom, she is an original cosponsor of HR 1150, the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2015.

Today we want to particularly recognize Congresswoman Eshoo as a driving force behind the creation of a crucial position, the Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South/Central Asia. At a time of tremendous persecution of people of faith throughout the region, this position truly does give a voice to the voiceless. And we are honored to have Knox Thames, who occupies this office, here with us today. Without the persevering leadership of Representative Eshoo, we would not have this influential position in place. Representative Eshoo, we are grateful for all you have done to ensure that the plight of religious minorities throughout this region is recognized and addressed.

Earlier this month, Secretary of State John Kerry determined the persecution of Christians, Yezidis, and Shiite Muslims in Iraq and Syria is genocide. But before that ever happened, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry introduced a resolution deeming the persecution of religious minorities throughout the region as genocide. With 213 bipartisan cosponsors this resolution passed the House by a vote of 393 to 0 on March 14, 2016.

It was Congresswoman Eshoo’s pioneering work in the genocide resolution which ultimately pushed the Administration to make the right genocide designation.

Today we want to thank Congresswoman Eshoo for her courageous efforts in calling out the realities of persecution throughout the world. We want to thank you for being a voice for those who have no voice. Your efforts continue to make a difference in the lives of people around the world.

You are truly a champion of religious freedom. On behalf of Open Doors and the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, we present you with this Thomas Jefferson International Religious Freedom Champion Award with gratitude for your efforts.


Other cosponsors of the event included the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Faith & Freedom Coalition, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office.

Also participating in the event was Religious Freedom & Business Foundation President Brian Grim (pictured with Rabbi David Saperstein, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom). Grim announced the call for nominations for the Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards to be presented in Rio de Janeiro at the start of this summer’s Paralympic Games.

The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards will recognize business leaders – current or past CEOs – who have demonstrated leadership in championing interfaith understanding and peace. ​These forthcoming Awards are a partnership initiative of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF), its Brazilian affiliate, the Associação pela Liberdade Religiosa e Negócios (ALRN), and the United Nations Global Compact Business for Peace (B4P) platform.

Grim also discussed the RFBF’s Empowerment+ Interfaith Social Cohesion & Enterprise Initiative, which is planned to be piloted in the UK later this year. The aim of the initiative is to help those experiencing a wide range of socio-economic risks including displacement, unemployment, isolation, crime, addiction and extremism through integration, empowerment & self-reliance. It is a tool to help build social cohesion and resiliency that will be one way to help counter the social and spiritual circumstances that contributed to such tragedies as the terrorist bombings in Brussels yesterday. 


* IRF Roundtable’s 4th Annual Event on Capitol Hill

Opening Discussion on International Religious Freedom

  • Dr. Robert P. George, USCIRF Chairman
  • Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, USCIRF Commissioner
  • Moderator: Timothy Shah, Religious Freedom Project, Georgetown University 

Presentation of Thomas Jefferson IRF Champion Award to Senator Marco Rubio and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo

  • Kristin Wright, Open Doors USA
  • Greg Mitchell, Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable 

Call for Nominations for the Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards

  • Brian Grim, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation

Overview of the Situation in the Middle East

  • Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South / Central Asia, U.S. State Department 
  • John Gallagher, President/CEO, Institute for Global Engagement

The Importance of Policy Responses to the Situation in the Middle East

  • Nadia Murad, Yazda Foundation
  • Manal Omar, U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Dr. Stephen Hollingshead, In Defense of Christians
  • Scott Lloyd, Knights of Columbus
  • Moderator: Dwayne Leslie, Seventh-day Adventist Church 

Overview of the Situation in Europe – Rising Anti-Semitism

  • Ira Forman, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, U.S. State Department 

The Importance of Policy Responses to the Situation in Europe

  • Engy Abdelkader, Georgetown’s Bridge Initiative, Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding
  • Eric Roux, Union of Churches of Scientology France, IRF Roundtable Europe
  • Brian Grim, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF’s Empowerment+ Interfaith Social Cohesion & Enterprise Initiative)
  • Moderator: Timothy Head, Faith & Freedom Coalition

Actions We Can Take to Be More Relevant/Effective

  • Lena Smith, Office of Congressman Trent Franks
  • Timothy Shah, Religious Freedom Project, Georgetown University
  • Jay Kansara, Hindu American Foundation
  • Amanda Knief, American Atheists
  • Greg Mitchell, Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable
  • Moderator: Matthew Hawkins, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

** The IRF Roundtable is made up of individuals from non-governmental organizations who gather regularly to discuss IRF issues and propose joint advocacy actions to address specific IRF issues and challenges. The International Religious Freedom Roundtable meets every two months in the U.S. Capitol and includes participants from government and civil society. Its goal is to reverse the increase of restrictions on religious freedom around the world.

Open Doors USA works in the world’s most oppressive countries, empowering Christians who are persecuted for their beliefs. Open Doors equips persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries through programs like Bible & Gospel Development, Women & Children Advancement and Christian Community Restoration. It produces an annual World Watch List to monitor persecution.

Religious Freedom Is Good For Business, Part 1, China & India

17 Mar, 2016

The Media Project’s Vishal Arora interviews Brian J. Grim, president of Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, on how religious freedom affects business and economy, in the context of China and India and countries where there are religious restrictions without violence or tensions.

The Media Project challenges and equips mainstream journalists to cover religion as an essential part of public life. They publish content addressing religion, media and public life, with special attention to religious equality and press freedoms around the world.

Interview-china-india

UK Minister of State Anelay Priases Role of Business in Advancing Freedom of Religion and Belief

15 Mar, 2016

Baroness_AnelayComments by The Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, Minister of State, U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office, at a recent seminar highlighting links between religious freedom and economic prosperity:

“I will turn now to the focus of today’s discussion, the link between religious freedom and prosperity.

I admire the pioneering work of my fellow speaker Dr Grim [president, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation] in this area. His work is needed, because sadly economic cost is often more persuasive than human cost, no matter the misery we see on our TV screens night after night.

Governments need hard economic proof, and to validate it they need proof from different sources.

So it makes absolute sense to get business engaged in this agenda, lobbying alongside governments and civil society.

I know that Professor Grim is keen to see improvements in the business climate to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds and faiths can realise their potential.

I am pleased to say that we in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office already support his aims through our international engagement. Through our work on business and human rights, we regularly encourage other governments to create an operating environment that is stable, secure and transparent.

To conclude, I hope I have shown just how seriously we take the issue of Freedom of Religion or Belief.

I very much value the efforts of parliamentarians, NGOs, think tanks and others, and the emerging work on the link between religious freedom and economic prosperity. I look forward to further collaborating on this with you.

I will finish with the words of the Prime Minister: “Now is not the time for silence. Now is not the time for inaction. We must stand together and fight for a world where no-one is persecuted because of what they believe.”

It is an inspiring call to action – let’s work together to make it a reality.”


Following Baroness Anelay’s comments, Dr Grim introduced several of the Foundation’s initiatives to engage the business world in advancing interfaith understanding and peace, including the Empowerment+ Interfaith Social Cohesion & Enterprise Initiative and the Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards.

RFBF_BIPAwards_Web_BannerThe Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards recognize business leaders – current or past CEOs – who have demonstrated leadership in championing interfaith understanding and peace. Awards will be presented on September 6, 2016, at the start of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where award recipients will have the opportunity to present their commitment to interfaith understanding and peace while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16: “Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

The Awards are a partnership initiative of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, its Brazilian affiliate, the Associação pela Liberdade Religiosa e Negócios, and the United Nations Global Compact Business for Peace platform.

Negócios Globais & Prêmios da Paz Inter-Religiosa, Rio de Janeiro, 6 de Setembro 2016

12 Mar, 2016

RFBF_BIPAwards_web_banner-portHomenageando o Comprometimento e Inovação de CEO´s para Avançar a Compreensão Inter-Religiosa & a Paz Mundialmente

Rio de Janeiro | 6de Setembro 2016 | JW Marriott, Copacabana

Indicações Abertas

Critério

Os Prêmios homenageiam ações concretas e inovadoras que foram tomadas com o objetivo de avançar a compreensão inter-religiosa e a paz. Os indicados devem ter lançado ou liderado políticas, programas ou iniciativas que contribuíram para aumentar a compreensão inter-religiosa e a paz no ambiente de trabalho, mercado local e/ou comunidades locais.

Cerimônia de Premiação: 06 de setembro de 2016

Os vencedores serão convidados para a Cerimônia de Premiação, onde terão a oportunidade de falar diretamente sobre o seu compromisso e contribuição para o Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável 16. Os vencedores passarão a fazer parte de um seleto grupo de líderes proeminentes cujas ações também serão reconhecidas por investidores, empregados, clientes e demais interessados.

 Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável 16

Promover sociedades pacíficas e inclusivas para o desenvolvimento sustentável, proporcionar o acesso à justiça para todos e construir instituições eficazes, responsáveis e inclusivas em todos os níveis.

Organizadores

Os prêmios são uma iniciativa da parceria entre a Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, sua filial brasileira a Associação Pela Liberdade Religiosa e Negócios e, da plataforma da ONU Global Compact Business for Peace.

Indicações Abertas: 22 de fevereiro de 2016

Estão abertas as indicações para o Negócios Globais & Prêmios de Paz Inter-religiosa de 2016, que será apresentado dia 06 de setembro de 2016 véspera da abertura dos Jogos Paraolímpicos no Rio de Janeiro

Serão homenageados Diretores Executivos atuais ou passados que tenham demonstrado liderança e prosperado na compreensão inter-religiosa e na paz, em uma das seguintes categorias:

  • – Negócio Principal
  • – Investimento social & filantrópico
  • – Advocacia e políticas públicas de engajamento
  • – Parcerias e ações coletivas

Formulário de indicação e demais informações:

Email: Nominations@ReligiousFreedomAndBusiness.org

Site: ReligiousFreedomAndBusiness.org/global-awards

Awards Postcard

RFBF_BIPAwards_web_banner-port-back

Business a powerful force - portuguese

logo_religiao_Brazil (1)

Brian-Grim-Interview

Religião e lucros

Pesquisador americano mostra que a valorização da liberdade religiosa pode se tornar um trunfo competitivo para o Brasil (Por: Rosenildo Gomes Ferreira)

Embaixadora da Boa Vontade: Jason Smyth

Jasonwin2

Saluting CEO commitment and innovation to advance interfaith understanding & peace

6 Mar, 2016

The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards recognize business leaders – current or past CEOs – who have demonstrated leadership in championing interfaith understanding, religious freedom and peace.

​Awards will be presented on September 6, 2016, at the start of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where award recipients will have the opportunity to present their commitment to interfaith understanding and peace while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.*

The Awards are a partnership initiative of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF), its Brazilian affiliate, the Associação pela Liberdade Religiosa e Negócios (ALRN), and the United Nations Global Compact Business for Peace (B4P) platform.

NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN FOUR CATEGORIES:

Core business
Championing interfaith understanding and peace through a company’s core business operations, including internal procedures, human resources hiring practices, training, product/service development, sourcing policies, supply chains, as well as the development of products and services that promote interfaith understanding and peace.

Social investment and philanthropy
Financial and in-kind contributions, and strategic social investment support for NGOs, UN and multilateral agencies or directly to affected communities and/or contribution of functional expertise through volunteering efforts.

Advocacy and public policy engagement
Fostering social cohesion and inter-group dialogue and relationship-building in the workplace, marketplace and local community.

Partnership and collective action
Joining forces with Governments, UN entities, civil society organizations and/or other businesses to act collectively to promote interfaith understanding and peace and forge long-term partnerships for local or regional economic and sustainable development.

Nomination Period: 22 February – 30 April 2016

→ Nominations Information & Form

Read Business Examples

DOWNLOAD: Awards 2016 one-pager

Nominees are invited to join the UN Global Compact  and its Business for Peace platform and, make the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s corporate pledge to protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB)

Interfaith Understanding and Peace as Prerequisites for Business Success
Interfaith understanding – and its contribution to peace – is in the interest of business. Recent research shows that economic growth and global competitiveness are stronger when social hostilities involving religion are low and Government respect for the universally recognized human right of freedom of religion or belief is high.

Interfaith understanding also strengthens business by reducing corruption and encouraging broader freedoms while also increasing trust and fostering respect. Research shows that laws and practices stifling religion are related to higher levels of corruption. Similarly, religious freedom highly correlates with a range of social and economic goods, such as better health care and higher incomes for women.

Positively engaging around the issue of interfaith understanding also helps business to advance trust and respect with consumers, employees and possible partner organizations, which can give companies a competitive advantage as sustainability and ethics come to the forefront of engagement with society.

* SDG-16: Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Foundation cited prominently in Taiwan Religious Freedom Declaration

24 Feb, 2016

Taiwan DeclarationThe Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s research is cited prominently in Taiwan Religious Freedom Declaration: “Research by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation indicates that the advancement of freedom of religion or belief has a direct correlation with the advancement of democracy, basic human rights, economic prosperity, and thriving civil societies.”

The Declaration for Religious Freedom was personally launched by the President (Su Jia-chyuan, pictured standing) and Vice President (Tsai Chi-chang, on right) of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, or Parliament (國會, guóhuì), together with former Taiwan Vice President (Annette Lu, center),  in Taipei, on February 19, 2016. (See below, Grim and VP Lu.)

During the deliberations, RFBF president Brian Grim made the case that “Religious freedom is good for business & business is good for religious freedom” at the Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum (APRFF), an invitation-only gathering of parliamentarians, government representatives, civic and religious leaders from across the globe who are committed to advancing religious freedom in the Asia Pacific.

Grim focused his comments on how religious freedom is an economic asset in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the deliberations, attended by representatives of dozens of governments and country representatives addressed the mounting challenged to religious freedom.

Below is the Declaration, as released on February 19. A final version with all signatories is forthcoming.

VP Annette LuTaiwan Declaration on Religious Freedom

Whereas the universal right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected through international law as defined by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Whereas reports by non-governmental organizations, such as Freedom House and government agencies such as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom indicate, religious freedom and related human rights abuse in the Asia Pacific region continue to deteriorate, and threaten regional security and stability.

Whereas the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) and the Inter-Governmental Contact Group for Freedom Religion or Belief are building and strengthening global efforts to promote this fundamental freedom.

Whereas research by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation indicates that the advancement of freedom of religion or belief has a direct correlation with the advancement of democracy, basic human rights, economic prosperity, and thriving civil societies.

Whereas Taiwan has proven to be a model for the Asia Pacific region in promoting human rights, including freedom of religion or belief within in its borders and abroad, and is a strategic location for coordinating human rights initiatives in the Asia Pacific region.

Whereas religious freedom advocates from both government and non-governmental sectors and religious leaders gathered in Taiwan representing 27 countries collectively commit to advancing freedom of religion or belief and related human rights in the Asia Pacific. 

Whereas restrictions on freedom of religion or belief have directly contributed to forced immigration and increased number of refugees fleeing government sponsored or tolerated persecution, and subsequently created humanitarian crises in the Asia Pacific region.

Thus, we the signed declare a commitment to establish and reinforce existing networks of religious freedom advocates dedicated to promoting freedom of religion or belief in their respective countries and in the Asia Pacific region, including the creation of both governmental and non-governmental mechanisms to promote freedom of religion or belief and related human rights in our respective communities and countries as a whole.

Further declare a commitment to identify opportunities for partnership with religious and government leaders and representatives from non-governmental organizations and other religious freedom advocates in order to build strategic relationships to promote freedom of religion or belief in the Asia Pacific region.

Further declare a commitment to coordinate and expand advocacy efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief in the Asia Pacific region, including through diplomatic engagement among governments, interfaith cooperation among religious leaders, and representatives from non-governmental organizations and academic institutions.   

Further declare a commitment to respond to immigration and refugee issues, including providing safe-haven and human services for individuals and communities affected by restrictions and violations on religious freedom and related human rights. 

Further declare a commitment to an awareness of the socio-economic benefits of advancing freedom of religion or belief and an inherent pledge to utilize this knowledge in our respective communities and countries and throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Further declare a commitment to publicly condemn any act of intolerance, discrimination, persecution, or violence perpetrated in the name of religion, and to protecting the rights of religious minorities or other religious communities restricted from teaching, practicing, worshiping or observing their religious traditions.

Further declare that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is an inalienable human right, encompassing the right to hold or not to hold any faith or belief, to change belief, and to be free from coercion to adopt a different belief, and that to be fully enjoyed other incorporated rights must also be respected, such as the freedoms of expression, assembly, education, and movement.

Therefore, the signers of the Taiwan Declaration urge all governments, religious institutions, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to actively advance freedom of religion or belief by adopting formal written commitments and public statements to upholding freedom of religion or belief in their respective communities and countries.

Brian Grim Spoke at British Parliament on Religious Freedom and the Economy

14 Feb, 2016

Big-BenOn 2 March 2016, a seminar held at the UK Parliament, and hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Baha’i Faith, heard that there is a strong correlation between religious freedom, economic freedom, and other civil political freedoms.

An emerging body of research is suggesting that ensuring such freedoms within business could not only address a major social ill, but also be an unrecognized asset to economic recovery and growth.

“These findings are useful in our discussions with business,” said panelist Professor Brian Grim, President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. “And there’s a lot that the business world can offer to the human rights community.”

Business leaders and entrepreneurs, it was suggested, might develop a long-term interest in engaging with this area of the international human rights discourse, while their perspectives on these matters might also add an important dimension to the understanding of government and parliamentarians.

Shannon“Business is the crossroads of culture, commerce, and creativity. What brings everyone together and produces a successful service, innovation, or production is a common goal,” said Prof. Grim, who highlighted the efforts of one major automobile manufacturer which, realizing it employs people from almost 140 countries, offers an annual award for intercultural and interfaith innovation.

The seminar, which attracted parliamentarians, civil servants, academics, human rights activists, business professionals, and faith community leaders was opened by Jim Shannon MP (pictured), who also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental component of peace and stability,” Mr. Shannon said. “Without religious freedom, talented people are pushed away.”

The matter needs to move up the political agenda, Mr. Shannon said, to ensure greater economic prosperity, stability, and security.

Also on the panel was Baroness Anelay of St Johns, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She said, with intolerance increasing around the world, this commitment is needed more than ever.

Anelay(Pictured: Baroness Anelay of St Johns, the Minister of State at the Commonwealth Office, addressing the Seminar on Freedom of Religion and Economic Prosperity, held at Westminster, 2 March 2016. With intolerance increasing around the world, she said the commitment to freedom of religion and belief is needed more than ever.)

“Freedom of religion or belief is not just an optional extra alongside the broad spectrum of human rights. It is a key human right in and of itself,” she said. “Where freedom of religion or belief is not fully respected, it follows that democratic values and the rule of law are not fully implemented.” One of the keys to success is education, she said. “We need to ensure that children appreciate from the earliest age that everyone must be valued equally.”

Another panelist, Dr. Nazila Ghanea—Associate Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford—stressed the importance of every individual having the freedom to decide whether or not to adopt a religion or belief.

“The prerequisite to freedom of religion and belief is the freedom to independently investigate the truth and adopt a belief, be it religious or not,” said Dr. Ghanea.

Referring to the Baha’i International Community document Freedom to Believe, Dr. Ghanea quoted, “The primary task of the soul will always be to investigate reality, to live in accordance with the truths of which it becomes persuaded, and to accord full respect to the efforts of others to do the same.”

Dr. Ghanea asked how such values can be advanced, noting that efforts to transfer standards across different cultures can lead to resistance.

“International standards need to be digested in a meaningful way and people need to make them their own,” she said. “Consultation is a very important way of trying to ingrain values in neighborhoods and societies.”

Participatory discussion groups were then held where innovative ideas were explored to enhance awareness, support religious freedom, and equip businesses with tools and ideas.

The seminar is intended to be the first step in a longer process to build a deeper conceptual understanding of issues of freedom of religion or belief in British political life and society.

Speakers

Rt Hon Baroness Anelay DBE, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Professor Brian J Grim, President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation

Dr Nazila Ghanea, Lecturer in International Human Rights, University of Oxford

The seminar will feature a panel discussion with the Minister and academic experts followed by facilitated workshops to draw on the views and knowledge of all those attending. Light refreshments will be served on arrival and between the panel and the workshops.

This event is intended as the first of a longer process of activity to build a deeper conceptual understanding of issues of freedom of religion or belief in British political life and society.

Date: Wednesday 2 March

Time: 09.00 am – 13.00 pm

Location: MacMillan Suite, Portcullis House, SW1A 2LW

Background

UK Parliament March 2 2016Religious freedom, or the lack of it, has emerged as one of the major challenges to human rights in the early 21st century. International developments including intra-state conflict, state-sponsored repression and terrorism have increased as drivers for religious intolerance across the world and particularly in territories affected by the conflicts that have intensified in recent years.

In an increasingly interdependent world, the transnational links between religious communities and diasporas allows hostilities from conflicts in one part of the world to increase tensions in other lands. These events have infused momentum for the protection and promotion of the rights of freedom of religion or belief, including for those of no faith. Whilst religious diversity is being denuded from some parts of the planet, it is growing in other parts of the world, including Europe and North America.

Tensions between religious minorities and host communities are posing questions of what model any given society should pursue towards greater social cohesion and integration. This seminar will examine assumptions underpinning the concept of freedom of religion or belief and identify barriers to the full acceptance of this right at the level of a universal value.

Throughout the event, innovative ideas that equip business communities with tools, which have the potential to enhance awareness and to support religious freedom will be shared. The seminar aims to offer a contribution to the wider discourse on freedom of religion or belief, and how this relates to economic prosperity.

Please RSVP to receptions@bahai.org.uk to confirm your attendance.

Brian Grim Spoke at Vatican International Leaders Forum

14 Feb, 2016

UPDATED: March 2, 2016: Brian Grim spoke on the connection between religious freedom, sustainable development and mercy at this month’s fifth International Leaders Forum at the Vatican. His comments were delivered at the Pontifical University Urbaniana on February 28.

Pope_Francis_Brian_GrimGrim’s talk is titled:

Mercy, Sustainable Development and Religious Freedom: The Harmony of Caritas in Veritate, Dives in Misericordia, Laudato Si’, and Dignitatis Humanae

FULL TEXT

He argues that we will lose the struggle for religious freedom if we focus only on legal and legislative approaches. This is because (a) they do not address the rising tide of social hostilities involving religion, and (b) it misses the greatest argument for religious freedom, i.e., that it depends on mercy and love. 

He makes this argument from a point of view as a Catholic and as a global expert on the scientific study of religious freedom.

Main points:

Mercy and love are essential to religious freedom. Indeed, in the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on religious freedom, Dignitatis Humanae, mercy and love provide critical – but underemphasized – theological foundations for religious freedom. The declaration promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965, asserts that there can be no compulsion in matters of religion and it roots the rightness of this freedom in human dignity, with the fundamental basis of this assertion being the mercy and love of Christ. Specifically, Dignitatis Humanae (section 11, paragraph 2b) states:

For [Christ] bore witness to the truth, but He refused to impose the truth by force on those who spoke against it. Not by force of blows does His rule assert its claims. It is established by witnessing to the truth and by hearing the truth, and it extends its dominion by the love whereby Christ, lifted up on the cross, draws all men to Himself.

In short, religious freedom is “right” because the love of Christ shown in the mercy extended to all through the cross is to be embraced freely and not through coercion.

Caritas in veritateHe argues that if (a) social hostilities involving religion are now a greater challenge to religious freedom than government restrictions on religious freedom; and if (b) a majority of those outside of religious communities no longer see religion – and therefore religious freedom – as a basic force for good in society; then (c) we need a social approach to religious freedom that focuses on the main purpose of religious freedom – setting people of faith free to be incarnation of mercy and love, because, when people of faith are guided by and act on their conscience with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:23).

This means that religious freedom must be much more than just protecting the dual “negative rights” of immunity from coercion in conscience and immunity from being impeded from acting in conformity with conscience. Religious freedom must be advanced by people of faith, motivated by their faith, working wholeheartedly for the common good.

In other words, the best way of advancing religious freedom today is not through legislation and litigation – though they play a part – but through the authentic love of neighbor (and even enemy) in response to the mercy and love of God to us all.

FULL TEXT

 

Religious Freedom Is An Economic Asset in the Asia-Pacific Region

14 Feb, 2016

“Religious freedom is good for business & business is good for religious freedom.” Brian Grim, President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, will make the case this week at the Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum (APRFF), an invitation-only gathering of parliamentarians, government representatives, civic and religious leaders from across the globe who are committed to advancing religious freedom in the Asia Pacific (see APRFF on Twitter and Facebook).

Grim will make the economic case for religious freedom on the heels of his other recent high profile briefings, including with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the organizer of the Marrakesh Declaration on protections for minorities in Islamic lands, Shaykh Bin Bayyah.

In a recent article in Forbes, Grim along with Brian Walsh argue that even though the United States is still the world’s largest economy, today two Asian countries—neither historically nor majority Christian—have the second and third largest economies. The Pacific Rim as a whole, one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse regions on earth, is now also one of the most economically dynamic. The strength of the global economy has become religiously diverse, and this diversity will only increase in the next few decades.

According to a new study by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, the globe’s growing religious diversity is likely to be one of the 21st century’s most important developments for businesses and policymakers around the world. Burgeoning religious populations with greater wealth will have greater political influence, and this has the potential to either undermine or enhance social stability and economic strength.

To navigate this new economic landscape well—and to ensure continued economic growth—it will be vital that national and business leaders emphasize the protection of minority groups’ human rights, especially the rights and liberties of all religious groups. Government protection for the dignity and freedoms of all religious groups is the only way to ensure the full economic participation and prosperity of these groups as they also interact in new ways, and do so in free and peaceful environments.

Grim will also argue that businesses are uniquely situated to solve problems caused by religious restrictions and hostilities because they are at the crossroads of culture, commerce and creativity. Indeed, they have a vested interest because religious freedom is good for business. Research shows that religious freedom not only benefits the bottom line, but also improves the lives of women, consolidates democracy, and increases peace and stability.

According to a study by researchers at Georgetown University and Brigham Young University, Religious freedom is one of only three factors significantly associated with global economic growth. The study looked at GDP growth for 173 countries in 2011 and controlled for two-dozen different financial, social, and regulatory influences.

  • The full report, “Is Religious Freedom Good for Business?: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis,” is available on the website of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion (IJRR). The authors of the study are Brian J. Grim, Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, and Greg Clark and Robert Edward Snyder, Brigham Young University’s International Center for Law and Religion Studies.

As the world navigates away from years of poor economic performance, religious freedom may be an unrecognized asset to economic recovery and growth, according to this new study. The study examines and finds a positive relationship between religious freedom and ten of the twelve pillars of global competitiveness, as measured by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index (see example in chart).

The study, however, goes beyond simple correlations by empirically testing and finding the tandem effects of government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion (as measured by the Pew Research Center) to be detrimental to economic growth while controlling for 23 other theoretical, economic, political, social, and demographic factors.

The new study also furthers previous work in the field, including The Price of Freedom Denied (by Brian Grim & Roger Finke, Cambridge, 2011). Grim & Finke’s research showed that religious freedom is a key ingredient to peace and stability, as measured by the absence of violent religious persecution and conflict. This is particularly important for business because where stability exists, there is more opportunity to invest and conduct normal and predictable business operations, especially in emerging and new markets.

The new study observes that religious hostilities and restrictions create climates that can drive away local and foreign investment, undermine sustainable development, and disrupt huge sectors of economies. Such has occurred in the ongoing cycle of religious regulation and hostilities in Egypt, which has adversely affected the tourism industry, among other sectors. Perhaps most significant for future economic growth, the study notes that young entrepreneurs are pushed to take their talents elsewhere due to the instability associated with high and rising religious restrictions and hostilities.

Religious freedom when respected within a company can also directly benefit the bottom line. This includes both improved morale and lower costs. For instance, the clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch fought and lost a religious discrimination case in 2013 related to firing a Muslim stock girl for wearing a scarf in violation of the company’s dress code. The case resulted not only in substantial legal costs but also in negative national publicity.

Moreover, freedom of religion or belief is a human right protected in numerous treaties and agreements, including the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The study suggests that businesses may gain a competitive advantage by meeting the expectations of stakeholders who are increasingly demanding that companies play a positive role in addressing issues of social concern and fairness.

The study’s findings are timely given the rising tide of restrictions on religious freedom documented by Pew Research, showing that 76% of the world’s people currently live with high religious restrictions or hostilities. And the findings are especially relevant because the research shows that the largest markets for potential growth are in countries where religious freedom is highly restricted – casting a question mark over the long-term sustainability of growth in countries such as China.

Religious Diversity, Freedom & Economic Growth

One indicator of a degree of religious freedom is when a population is religiously diverse. While the two are not always related, religious diversity is a clear sign that people in society are themselves open to freedom of religion and belief. There is also an interesting connection between religious diversity and economic success.

An analysis of a recent Pew Research Center Religious Diversity report – a study based on methodology developed by Brian Grim – finds that the 12 countries identified in the study as having very high religious diversity each outpaced the world’s economic growth between 2008 and 2012.

Among the 12 countries (5%) with very high religiously diversity, all are located outside of Europe and North America. Six are in Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, China and Hong Kong); five are in sub-Saharan Africa (Togo, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Benin and Mozambique); and one is in Latin America and the Caribbean (Suriname).

Between 2008 and 2012, the world’s average growth in gross domestic product (GDP) was 1.7%. By contrast, each of the 12 countries with very high religious diversity had higher average growth, and most by substantial margins.

Average GDP growth between 2008-2012 in China, the world’s 9th most religiously diverse country, averaged 9.3%. In seven of the twelve very diverse countries, average GDP growth was double or more that of the world average of 1.7%: Mozambique (7.0%), Vietnam (5.8%), Singapore (4.4%), Surinam (4.1%), Togo (4.0%), Benin (3,8%) and Taiwan (3.4%). In the remaining four very diverse countries, average GDP growth was also measurably higher than the world average: South Korea (2.9%), Ivory Coast (2.6%), Hong Kong (2.6%) and Guinea-Bissau (2.3%).

The underlying data for the religious diversity report are based on a December 2012 Pew Research Center study of the size and distribution of eight major world religions: Buddhists, Christians, folk religions, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, other religions considered as a group and the religiously unaffiliated. Taken together, these eight major groups comprise the world’s total population.

CHINA

During the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, religion was completely outlawed and people were routinely beaten and killed for having superstitious or religious beliefs. While it is true that today China has very high government restrictions on religion relative to other countries in the world, current conditions are far less restrictive than they were in the 1960s and 1970s.

Today, China has the world’s largest Buddhist population, largest folk religionist population, largest Taoist population, 9th largest Christian population and 17th largest Muslim population – ranking between Yemen and Saudi Arabia (Pew Research Center 2012).

It is undeniable that had the Cultural Revolution’s draconian restrictions on religion and all segments of society continued, China’s economic progress would not have been possible.

But how does business promote religious freedom, interfaith understanding and peace?

Using Marketing Expertise to Bridge Borders: Companies can make positive contributions to peace in society by mobilizing advertising campaigns that bring people of various faiths and backgrounds together, as seen in a variety of Coca-Cola advertisements, including one bringing Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan together through live video feeds in their vending machines.

Incentivizing Innovation: Because cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation is an essential part of daily work for multinational companies, one company, the BMW Group, incentivizes other organizations to create innovative approaches to interfaith understanding through an award organized in collaboration with the UN Alliance of Civilizations. Organizations that have won this award include a tour company in the Middle East, which offers new paths to build bridges and bring cultures together through profitable interfaith tourism. Another recognized intercultural innovator uses job placements agencies to help contribute to the religious diversity of workforces, including helping Muslim youth from poorer areas of the Philippines get jobs in the Catholic-majority parts of the country.

Incubating and Catalyzing Social Entrepreneurship: Business can also provide common ground where religious differences give way to shared concern and enterprise. In Nigeria, for instance, the Yola Innovation Machine, a peace-building organization, works to support companies and new entrepreneurs in conflict-affected areas as a way to reduce extremism.

case-studiesSupporting Workforce Diversity: In Indonesia, businesses are at the forefront of efforts to promote interfaith understanding. For instance, EXPRESS Taxi, with a fleet of more than 7,000 taxis in Jakarta, promotes a faith-friendly workplace by setting up prayer rooms and facilitating Muslim and Christian observances as well as celebrations of Chinese New Year. In addition, businesses in Indonesia have worked to fix large, seemingly intractable social problems such as helping 4,541 poor couples receive the proper marriage licenses in large-scale interfaith weddings.

For more case studies, click here.

Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum (APRFF)*

The Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum is an invitation only gathering of religious freedom advocates committed to promoting religious freedom in their respective countries and abroad, from Feb. 18-21 in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

The Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum will bring together leaders of non-governmental organizations, religious leaders, and parliamentarians and other government representatives to address the deteriorating state of religious freedom and related human rights in the Asia Pacific region and the needed collaborative response from the international community.

Discussions will focus on specific themes related to advancing religious freedom in the Asia Pacific region, including coordinating advocacy efforts and diplomatic engagement, addressing related immigration and refugee issues and evaluating the socio-economic impact of religious freedom.

The Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum will feature speakers such as Matteo Mecacci, the President of International Campaign for Tibet; Brian Grim, President of Religious Freedom and Business Foundation; Libby Liu, President of Radio Free Asia; Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Chair of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights; Ken Starr, President of Baylor University; Bastiaan Belder, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Bishop Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance; among others.

The Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum aims to provide opportunities for collaboration on advancing religious freedom and related human rights between regional leaders from the Asia Pacific, United States, Europe, and throughout the world.

Speakers

APRFF-Speakers

* China Aid and the Democratic Pacific Union DPU will co-host the Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum (APRFF). Sponsors and partners include Freedom House, Heritage Foundation, Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, Taiwan Interfaith Foundation, Stefanus Alliance International, International Campaign for Tibet, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and Tzu Chi Foundation, Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference, and the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, among others.

APRFF Hosts

China Aid is a Christian international human rights organization with a mission to expose religious freedom and human rights abuse, encourage those abused and equip community and religious leaders in China. China Aid was founded in 2002 by Bob Fu.
The Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) is an international NGO aimed to promote “democracy, peace, and prosperity” in the Asian Pacific region and the world. The DPU was founded in 2005 by former Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu.

APRFF Host City

Taoyuan is a special municipality in northwestern Taiwan and the fourth largest metropolitan area in Taiwan. Taoyuan hosts a large number of industrial parks and technology companies, and is also home to the Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, which serves the capital, Taipei and northern Taiwan. Taoyuan means “peach garden” as the area is widely known for its peach blossom trees.

 

Brian Grim Briefs Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on Religious Freedom at Davos

28 Jan, 2016

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Davos, 2016, World Economic Forum — Brian Grim, President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and Chair of the Global Agenda Council on the Role of Faith, briefed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Religious Freedom at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Trudeau_and_GrimBuilding on the work the Global Agenda Council on the Role of Faith did in Abu Dhabi in 2015, Grim discussed with Prime Minister Trudeau the 2-page briefing document drafted by Archbishop Antje on the “Role of Faith in Addressing Key Global Challenges” (available here). This work directly connects with agenda items he has, including education on pluralism/diversity and promoting gender equality. 

Grim also discussed the future of Canada’s international religious freedom office, currently headed by Ambassador Andrew Bennett. Prime Minister Trudeau expressed great respect for Ambassador Bennett, and said he’s looking forward to exploring how to move the work of the office forward. Grim also discussed how freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) is a mechanism by which pluralism and diversity are peaceful and productive.

The meeting with Trudeau was a small group setting with 16 participants. Also present in the briefing were leaders of major global NGOs. This also helped put faith on the radar screens of other key global leaders. Those present were: Secretary-General Amnesty International; Secretary-General International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Executive Director Oxfam International; Chief Executive Officer United Way Worldwide; ChiefDavos 2016Rabbi and President Conference of European Rabbis, Russian Federation; Chief Executive Officer Mercy Corps; President International Rescue Committee; Director, Secretariat Control Arms; Director Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law; Executive Director Human Rights Watch; Secretary-General Civicus: World Alliance for Citizen Participation; Managing Director Transparency International; and Chief Executive Officer International Bridges to Justice.

Other meetings Grim had at Davos included those with Al Gore, Cardinal Turkson (Pontifical Council on Justice & Peace), the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Francis Collins (Director National Institutes of Health).