Mission Statement for the Institute of Chinese Law and Religion:
The Institute of Chinese Law and Religion is a forum to promote understanding and dialogue on religion and the rule of law the in People's Republic of China. The forum will engage academics, policy-makers, journalists, religious leaders and other public figures from the U.S., the PRC, the Republic of Korea and other countries on ways to protect the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Such freedom would include the freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one's religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance, as defined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Letter from the Director
The issue of international religious freedom has been of growing interest for many various religious entities and citizens in the United States. This sensitive issue of religious freedom in China has grown in interest due to the International Religious Freedom Act passed by the U.S. Congress last decade and China's acceptance into the World Trade Organization which has resulted in China's tremendous economic growth and prosperity. China is now a respected international leader whose stability and success is intertwined and important, not only to Asia, but to the world at large. As never before, it benefits the international community in many ways for China to continue to prosper and be a "Harmonious Society".
China is now at a crossroads. China can continue to benefit their society greatly if religious freedoms grow and are acknowledged and embraced in ways that will help promote morals and allow religious entities to help with rapidly growing social needs. As an advisor to human rights advocacy organizations and government leaders, I have come to better understand that religious freedom is a complicated issue that I believe is best advanced by sovereign governments promoting rule of law from within. This of course, is an idealistic goal, but it is my sincere hope of what the future of China will be and what the Institute of Chinese Law and Religion hopes to help achieve.
Deborah Fikes
Interim Director
May 2008
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The Institute of Chinese Law and Religion is a non-profit organization
that takes no government funding.
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