VUFO’s friendship insignias presented to IGE members

The VUFO’s most noble distinctions were granted to IGE founder and first Chairman Robert Seiple, former Chairman and Honorary Chairman Chris Seiple, and Manager of IGE Programme in Vietnam Vu Thi Mai Hien.

Speaking at the event, Son hailed the IGE as one of the close partners of the Vietnam-US Society (VUS) and thanked the IGE and individuals for contributing to the friendship between the Vietnamese and US people. 

He expressed his belief that the IGE will further grow and ties between the IGE and the VUS, and other Vietnamese partners will see new progress. 

Robert Seiple, for his part, attributed the thriving Vietnam – US ties to mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. 

As a non-governmental organization of the US, the IGE was founded in 2000 with a view to developing the environment for dealing with conflicts and promoting religious freedom worldwide. In 2005, the IGE began partnering with the VUS as a bridge linking Vietnamese and US organisations together. 

With many years of working in Vietnam, Robert Seiple has gained an insight into Vietnamese history and culture. He has cherished many social development projects with a hope of bringing a better life to the Vietnamese people. His special sentiment to Vietnam has been passed down to his son Chris Seiple, who later did the same mission in Vietnam. 

Chris Seiple, on his position as IGE Chairman for many years, raised many initiatives on freedom of religions and belief. He also helped strengthen mutual understanding between local authorities, religion officers and religious followers in Vietnam. 

Previously living and studying in the US, Hien has worked for the IGE since 2007. With insightful understanding of Vietnamese society and people, she has made important contributions to connecting the IGE with Vietnamese partners.