In the Case Foundation's work with nonprofits, businesses, and other foundations, we look for opportunities to forge new alliances to advance shared goals and missions.  Nowhere is this more important than in our efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among people of different faiths and worldviews.
 
These efforts are led by Dr. Akbar Ahmed, a leading Muslim scholar, and Ambassador J. Douglas Holladay, a business leader and senior White House and State Department executive under President Ronald Reagan.  Dr. Ahmed and Ambassador Holladay first met shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.  In a climate of growing suspicion and hostility, both were seeking ways to avoid the "clash of civilizations" that Harvard University's Samuel Huntington had predicted.  They decided to begin meeting regularly to better understand each other's faith traditions and their effects upon belief and behavior.  Jean Case became an early advocate of their efforts.  As the trust, understanding, and respect grew, they expanded their regular conversations to include others, including ambassadors, CEOs, policymakers, senators, military leaders, and journalists.

 

Recognizing the value and impact of the work, the Case Foundation provided funding to Dr. Ahmed and Ambassador Holladay to launch the Buxton Initiative to carry forward the work.  By facilitating candid dialogue among people of different faith traditions and life experiences, the Buxton Initiative works to build understanding, friendship, and trust.
 
The Buxton Initiative draws its inspiration from the life and deeds of Thomas Fowell Buxton, a 19th-century reformer and member of the British Parliament.  Buxton and his colleague William Wilberforce combined vision and powerful ideas with influential networks to tackle seemingly insurmountable problems, including slavery and the abuse of children in factories.  Their sound moral philosophy and practical organizational skills yielded real results, improving the lives of millions of victimized people.  In this tradition, the Buxton Initiative seeks to pioneer practical means to encourage dialogue and collaboration to engender hope and real change. 
 
Today, the Buxton Initiative is working to expand the dialogue to others, including young people.  Its Young Leaders Program brings young Christian and Muslims together, and each year the Buxton Initiative selects a Christian and Muslim intern who serve together to advance the Buxton objectives.