IGE in Laos

IGE has been working with the Lao government and secular and faith-based community organizations since 2000. In 2004, 2005, and 2007, the first-ever and only ongoing seminars on religious freedom were sponsored by the U.S. embassy and the Lao Front for National Construction (an agency of the Lao government). The most recent religious freedom lecture was held in October 2008, cosponsored by IGE and the Lao government's Institute for Foreign Affairs. The lecture, led by Ambassador Seiple, was followed by a case study by Dr. Chris Seiple on the partnership between IGE and the Vietnamese government on religious freedom and US-Vietnam Relations.

Through these seminars and lectures, we are enabling government leaders to openly discuss issues of religious freedom, rule of law, and concerns relating to Lao cultural preservation. Our upcoming initiatives in Laos include:

Top-down Engagement

Religion and Rule of Law in Southeast Asia Conference. IGE is working with the Lao Academy for Social Sciences (LASS) on co-hosting this event in 2009. Lao representatives have participated twice in similar conference events in recent years, as observers in Vietnam in 2007, and in China in 2008.

Annual Visit to Laos. IGE visits Laos on a regular basis to build relationships, deepen our understanding of the needs there, and to engage Lao government and religious leaders on matters of religion.

Bottom-up Engagement

Informal dialogues with Lao Christian leaders on faith and civil responsibility. Aimed at answering the question, "What does it mean to be a responsible citizen in Laos and to be a Christian as well?" IGE encourages Lao Christians to apply constructive, critical thinking about how to practice faith while being sensitive and observant with regards to Lao culture.

Questions or Comments

IGE continues to seek new ways to broaden its work toward greater religious freedom in Laos, sustaining existing momentum and facilitating future Lao engagement.

If you have any questions or would like to receive regular updates on our Laos Program, contact IGE at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (703) 527-3100.