Founded in 1981, the IRD is an ecumenical voice for transparency, for renewal and for historic Christian teaching within the churches and within society. We advocate for a robust and faithful Christian social and political witness reflecting justice, charity, hope and realism. From our founding during the Cold War, when many Christians aligned with Marxist movements and dictatorships in pursuit of justice, IRD has advocated for democracy, human rights and religious freedom for all people everywhere. The world has changed but threats to democracy continue. We agree with Reinhold Niebuhr: “Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”
