Our Goal...

The goal of The Institute for Peace Studies in Eastern Christianity (IPSEC) is to make a positive contribution to the world peace by focusing on the role of religion in international relations. By exploring resources emerging from Eastern and Oriental Christianity, IPSEC strives to promote peaceful coexistence among nations and religions by counseling religious leaders and policymakers on the positive contribution of religion in reducing and solving ethno-religious conflicts. Recognizing the negative impact of conflicts on international cooperation, business, and development, IPSEC also offers regional expertise on inter-cultural communication.

IPSEC News

On September 5, 2011, IPSEC Founder, Marian Gh. Simion, spoke at the 2011 (Global Economic Leaders Summit), in Changchun, Jilin Province, China, on the theme of “The Strategic Role of Religion in International Security and Business.” His invitation came from the Government of China and Asia-Pacific CEO Association.

On May 26, 2011 IPSEC Executive Director, Denise E. Simion, graduated from Harvard University, receiving her Masters Degree in Management. She is also the recipient of two additional awards: “(The Harold V. Langlois Outstanding Scholar Award)” and “ALM Dean’s List Certificate for Academic Achievement”

On May 23, 2011 IPSEC Founder, Marian Gh. Simion, presented a workshop on the theme “Developing Strategic Education on Peacemaking: An Orthodox Christian Contribution,” during the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, held at the University of West Indies, in Kingston, Jamaica. (download slides...)

On May 15, 2011, IPSEC Funder, Marian Gh. Simion published a new book (Religion and Political Conflict: From Dialectics to Cross-Domain Charting), with contributions from Professor David Little and Ambassador Mihnea Motoc, with a Preface by His All-Holines Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Second IPSEC International Expert Consultation was held in Saidnaya, Syria, during October 18-22, 2010. It was organized in collaboration with the Institute for Theology and Peace (Hamburg), and the Decade to Overcome Violence programme of the World Council of Churches (Geneva)! (Download Full Program here...)

IPSEC Book

Selected papers from the first and the second international expert consultations held in Romania and Syria are being published by WCC Publications in a volume "Just Peace: Orthodox Perspectives," edited by Semegnish Asfaw, Alexios Chehadeh, Marian Gh. Simion. The volume is in its final stages of production.(download table of contents draft here...)

IPSEC in the News

On October 4, 2011, IPSEC was featured on Radio Romania International (the international branch of the Romanian National Public Radio), in an exclusive hour-long interview with Marian Gh. Simion. The theme of the interview was ("Religion, Religious Conflicts, Globalization and Economical Impact"), conducted in Romanian language.

Launching IPSEC on July 2, 2009 News Release by Trinitas TV of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate Click to see images & daily reports.