Adyan is a foundation for managing diversity, promoting solidarity, and safeguarding human dignity. It was established on August 6, 2006, and is registered in Lebanon as a non-profit, independent, non-governmental organization (NGO), under the number 1103 by the Ministerial Decree dated September 18, 2008. Six founding members established Adyan: Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Father Fadi Daou, Dr. Tony Souma, Samah Halwany, and Mireille Matar. The primary aim was to address diversity in Lebanon. In the aftermath of sectarian conflict, they recognized the importance of fostering understanding and cooperation to build a more cohesive and just society.
Vision: Adyan envisions a world where diversity between individuals and communities is lived out, generating mutual understanding, inclusive citizenship, creative development, sustainable peace, and spiritual solidarity.
Mission: Adyan exists to value cultural and religious diversity in its conceptual and practical dimensions, promoting citizenship, peaceful coexistence and diversity management among individuals and communities. Through offering support to marginalized groups and relief for the afflicted, Adyan works for social and transitional justice, and human and ecological development in a holistic and sustainable way.
We work locally, regionally, and globally to develop inclusive citizenship, support peace coexistence, promote religious social responsibility, and encourage spiritual solidarity. Additionally, we seek to contribute to preventing violent extremism and advancing freedom of religion and belief.
We accomplish this work through grassroots solutions in education, research, policy making, media, and community engagement networks.
Strategic Areas of Focus: Adyan’s work is organized into five strategic areas, each designed to advance its mission through shared values.
Adyan conducts comprehensive studies that explore themes of diversity and pluralism, social justice, and the role of shared values in promoting inclusive societies. This research informs the foundation’s programs and advocacy efforts to ensure they are effective and impactful.
Adyan implements educational programs that empower individuals to engage in meaningful community-building. These programs tackle topics such as active and inclusive citizenship, freedom of religion and belief, religious diversity, media literacy, and issues like stereotyping and hate speech.
We engage the community through the Forum of Religious Social Responsibility (FRSR) and Adyan’s Youth Network. The Forum provides a vibrant space for religious leaders from various faiths to collaboratively contribute to inclusive societies, enhancing their civic roles in public life. The Youth Network empowers young leaders to advocate for diversity, solidarity, and human dignity within their communities.
Adyan focuses on youth empowerment and civic participation as foundational to its mission. It advocates for a values-based political system that transcends sectarianism, encouraging principles of inclusivity and shared responsibility among young citizens.
Adyan sponsors Taadudiya (pluralism), a news platform that engages writers and thought leaders from across the Arab world. This platform serves as an essential forum for discussing themes of peaceful coexistence, diversity, and social responsibility.
The Bihorroya platform is another key initiative sponsored by Adyan, providing comprehensive information on the status of freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) in South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA). Available in both Arabic and English, it features the status of FoRB in 6 SWANA countries, main international instruments of FoRB and religious positions on FoRB.
Important Undertakings & Notable Achievements: Adyan has received over a dozen local and international awards, including the 35th Niwano Peace Prize in 2018, the MIT Elevate Prize in 2020, and the Ibn Rushd Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2022.
Future Objectives: Adyan has steadily evolved over the past 17 years. Our expansion into Iraq in 2022 and Europe in 2023 underscores our commitment to a wider regional and global presence.
Inclusive citizenship is a concept that Adyan has pioneered and successfully integrated into several university curricula worldwide. Moving forward, Adyan will continue to raise awareness on this vital concept through mass media, ensuring that the principles of inclusive citizenship are understood, accepted, and actively lived out in varying communities.
As we look to the future, Adyan aims to strengthen its role as a central hub which brings together all sectors of society for the common good. These sectors encompass areas ranging from beneficiaries, donors, public and private sectors, faith-based actors, academics, and journalists. In this collaborative space, all sectors of society will work towards realizing the vision of inclusive citizenship, grounded in the values of diversity, solidarity, and human dignity. Our goal is to promote frameworks of “Living Together” that encourage widespread adoption and practical integration into everyday life.
