German Order of Merit for Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heiner Bielefeldt

We would like to congratulate our programme director Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heiner Bielefeldt for being awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was instituted in 1951. It is the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation, and is awarded for achievements in the political, economic, social or intellectual realm and for all kinds of outstanding services to the nation in the field of social, charitable or philanthropic work.

Prof. Bielefeldt is one of the leading human rights experts in Germany, having served, inter alia, as director of the German Institute for Human Rights and as UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief. The reasoning for the award highlighted his invaluable contributions to interreligious dialogue and trust building as well as to strengthening civil society.