International Center for Law and Religion Studies


The , part of J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, was formally founded on January 1, 2000, to promote freedom of religion worldwide and to study the relations between governments and religious organizations. The Center was built upon ongoing work of law professor W. Cole Durham, Jr., who was named the Center's Director.

Activities

A main project of the Center is hosting an for government, academic, and religious leaders and visitors. As of 2011, the 18th year of the Symposium, the event had hosted more than 850 delegates from some 120 countries.
The Center also maintains the website of the , dedicated to the work of the European Court of Human Rights pertaining to freedom of religion, conscience, or belief, as well as maintaining the database for the , a research forum for legal developments on international law and religion or belief topics.

International Religious Liberty Award

Since 2010, the International Center for Law and Religious Studies, together with the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, has been awarding the International Religious Liberty Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of religious freedom.
Past recipients of the International Religious Liberty Award include Joe Lieberman, Kevin Hasson, Douglas Laycock, John Graz, Frank Wolf, Knox Thames, William E. Lori, Katrina Lantos Swett, and Elizabeth Berridge.