Vietnam
Since 2004, IGE has worked with both national leaders and the people of Vietnam to build religious freedom. Our unique and innovative programs are changing mindsets, equipping and building a network of reformers, and educating government officials and faith leaders on the legal protection of religious freedom for all. Thanks in part to IGE and our Vietnamese partners’ perseverance, the nation has made significant progress in religious freedom over the past 15 years.
Uzbekistan
Beginning in 2006, Uzbekistan was designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom by the State Department. In July 2018, an official Uzbek delegation visited Washington, DC. During the visit, IGE and the Uzbekistan embassy co-hosted an event where Uzbek cabinet ministers and parliament leaders announced major initiatives to reform legislation and government policies to improve religious freedom in the country. In September 2018, IGE led a delegation to Uzbekistan to meet with government officials, academics, and religious leaders. During the visit, IGE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Uzbekistan president's think tank and a local NGO to partner on research, conferences, workshops, and delegation visits to build religious freedom in the country. In December 2018, the State Department removed Uzbekistanfrom the CPC list in recognition of the "substantial changes" that have been made. Once again, IGE and the Uzbekistan embassy co-hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club, "Uzbekistan: An Emerging Model for the Muslim World—Marking Uzbekistan’s Progress in Advancing Religious Freedom.”
The Center for Women, Faith & Leadership (CWFL)
The Center for Women, Faith & Leadership (CWFL) supports and equips women of faith to assume and advance in leadership roles and influence decision making in global affairs, with particular emphasis in areas where women are most affected yet have had the least influence - religious freedom, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
Myanmar
At the invitation of religious groups in Myanmar, IGE started its work there in 2012, just as the country’s political transition was taking place. Since then, IGE has held a series of groundbreaking conferences and training programs that have highlighted challenges and opportunities in Myanmar’s governance, rule of law, and relations between the country’s diverse religious and ethnic communities.
Laos
IGE began its work in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in the late 1990s and partners with both the government and religious communities to advance freedom of faith. Misunderstandings about religious freedom have been the norm in Laos, but IGE's programs have brought about greater mutual understanding and peace between religious and government leaders.
China
Since 2004, IGE has worked with the Chinese government and civil society partners to bring together key stakeholders from within and outside of China that would not otherwise meet, facilitating strategic and candid dialogue that leads to respect, reconciliation, and ultimately resolution of issues of critical importance related to religious freedom and ethnic and religious minorities.