Following a groundbreaking peacebuilding workshop back in July, the Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) has conducted two more workshops over the past few months. From September 26-30, the LEC held a second workshop on “Religious Freedom Rights and Duties under Lao Law” in Vientiane Municipality. There were 43 local Catholic and Protestant leaders that participated. There were active discussions and exchanges throughout the workshop, particularly over how Christians could avail themselves of the religious freedoms available to them under Lao law.

The LEC also organized a Peace Building Workshop from October 11-14 in Savannakhet Province. The workshop taught conflict transformation skills to 38 local Catholic and Protestant leaders. These skills are very valuable as they can be applied to prevent or de-escalate conflicts that could otherwise damage internal church unity or relationships with local authorities.