About the Center

Founded in April of 2004 with a $5 million endowed gift from Dr. Milton and Mrs. Laurie Boniuk, the Boniuk Center promotes conditions conducive to sustainable peace among persons of different religions.

Our Vision: Building Peace

Religious conflict, and the violence that can result, affects people the world over.  The Boniuk Center exists to change this tragic situation through research, raising awareness and engagement.  Our mission is to understand the conditions that make peaceful co-existence possible and to promote those conditions locally, nationally, and throughout the world.

Houston and Rice University

Our inspiration is Houston, one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse cities in the country. A global force in the energy, medical, space, and applied technology industries, Houston attracts scientists and researchers from around the world. Over sixty languages other than English are spoken in the homes of Houston's school children.

Houston is home to the faithful of every living major world religion: Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Muslims, Jains, Jews, Christians, and dozens of others. The largest megachurch in North America, Lakewood, is a few miles from Rice's campus. Whether they welcome us or challenge us, these religious communities and Houston provide our Center with an ideal laboratory and an ideal home.

Innovative, multi-disciplinary research and excellent teaching; A commitment to public policy and civic engagement; New partnerships with nearby museums, the Texas Medical Center, and Houston-area schools. These great strengths of Rice University are the Boniuk Center's foundation.

What Sets Us Apart?

We are risk-takers. We reach out to those who question or reject tolerance, and we facilitate conversations among groups who disagree. This risk-taking sets us apart from organizations that promote interfaith dialogue, for these attract only persons who already embrace diversity. Our Center seeks out communities for whom pluralism is a problem, and we create contexts in which such groups can become agents for peace.

We translate research into action. The Center uses university research to develop educational programs on world religions and peaceful co-existence. We are committed to making all of our work available globally. Through its outreach projects, media presence, and partnering with other university and community centers, the Center shapes public debate on issues related to tolerance.

Our work matters. Given the growing and tragic toll that religious intolerance exacts from us, as individuals and communities, the Boniuk Center can capitalize on the strengths of Rice and of Houston to make a difference in the world.