CIAO DATE: 08/2013
June 2013
The American idea is rooted in a belief that people from varied religious and ethnic backgrounds can unite to create a single nation: E Pluribus Unum. That is no easy task. As history bears witness, identity differences can easily become a source of social tension, discrimination, and con - flict; many minority groups in the United States have faced periods of bigotry and outright persecution. Despite these failings, our country has retained a commitment to its founding propositions of equality and liberty under a common flag. Rather than allowing our differences to break us apart, Americans have harnessed the energy and knowledge of people who hail from every corner of the earth to build a nation that is both indivisible and strong. The Inclusive America Project (IAP) recognizes, however, that past accomplishments do not guarantee future success, especially in a population that is—as is ours—both highly religious and increasingly diverse. IAP is an initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Justice and Society Program. Chaired by Dr. Madeleine Albright and Professor David Gergen, the project has brought together a distinguished panel of leaders from religious communities, youth organizations, media outlets, NGOs, and government agencies. The recommendations in this report reflect an ongoing commitment by task force members and by the Aspen Institute to ensure that diversity remains an essential contributor to the vigor and health of our country. Accordingly, we have focused on three interre - lated goals: 1) to encourage respect in the public sphere for the religious identity of individuals and groups; 2) to foster positive relationships and informed dialogue between people of different spiritual orientations; and 3) to forge partnerships among religious and other organizations in service to the common good.
Resource link: Principled Pluralism: Report of the Inclusive America Project [PDF]