The Charles Malik Institute (CMI) trains future leaders in applied principled statesmanship using the life and writings of Lebanese philosopher and diplomat Charles Malik. CMI training emphasizes decision-making in crisis situations with a special awareness of the social, religious, and cultural forces that drive human affairs. Malikian statecraft strives to balance domestic and foreign, universal and particular, spiritual and physical in ways that generate tangible good for the nation-state, its neighbors, and humanity at large. Our programming includes seminars and workshops, academic conferences, and dissemination of Malik’s vast (and largely unpublished) body of work.
A committed Orthodox Christian, ethnic Arab, and Lebanese national, Malik worked on the world stage without compromising his individual and national identities. With his work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and diplomacy at the United Nations, he promoted shared principles rooted in human dignity. At the same time, he believed that Lebanon, and all countries, had a particular national identity and destiny distinct from the rest.
In an increasingly connected world, where everything from trade, to conflict, to health crises have global ramifications, Malik’s legacy is more important than ever.
Our work generally falls along two connected tracks:
The Leadership Development track engages young American and Middle Eastern Christian diaspora leaders using Charles Malik’s written work as the basis for a holistic life of service. Participants will examine contemporary foreign policy issues through the eyes of Charles Malik.
The Education track focuses on the academic discussion of crisis leadership, religious leadership and its values, and Christianity and Islam in the Near East. Through translation and publication of Malik’s work, academic conferences, and online courses, this track seeks to bring Malikian thought back to the academic world.
