The purpose of this project is to promote international religious freedom norms through improving social and cultural understanding in specific professional groups (legal, media, and human rights professionals, and religious and secular leaders) and to develop legal protection in accordance with religious freedom norms. MDI is responsible for implementing the project in partnership with two US organizations, Freedom House and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. The project’s goals will be addressed through three sets of activities: (1) education and strategic advice to local counterparts on religious freedom law and principles, and media responsibility for civil society, lawmakers, government officials, lawyers, clergy, and journalists; (2) a Rapid Response Capability to address particularly crises related to religious freedom; and (3) support for indigenous voices to advocate on religious freedom issues.
Region/country: Middle East & North Africa and South East Asia
Timeframe/dates: 2009 -2012
Funder: U.S. State Department
Partners: Freedom House, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
