About the institute

Our History, Mission and Activities

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute (Institute for Human Dignity) is a think-tank founded in 2008 whose goal is to protect and promote human dignity based on the anthropological truth that man is born in the image and likeness of God. Our primary aim is to promote this vision of authentic human dignity mainly by supporting Christians in public life, assisting them in presenting effective and coherent responses to increasing efforts to silence the Christian voice in the public square. We do this by coordinating affiliated parliamentary working groups on human dignity throughout the world. Each working group is based on the Institute’s common philosophy: The Universal Declaration of Human Dignity (see below). This enables such politicians to speak out more effectively in defence of the human person in all of life’s stages. Like any other think-tank, the Institute also tries to keep others abreast of news and developments on human dignity issues through its own research, press releases, articles, and conferences. Furthermore, we are also building up a network of outreach partners – charities and non-governmental organisations offering practical help to the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

The Imperative to Act

DHI is a direct response to a growing secularist intolerance to Christians of all confessions that has led to a myriad of attacks on human dignity. Just as many secularist groups have mobilised to create effective advocacy groups across the world, so the Institute plans on doing the same, pushing back the tide of radical secularism which is threatening the dignity of increasing numbers of people, especially the vulnerable and the weak.

The Universal Declaration

The Universal Declaration of Human Dignity is the basis of all our work. The document, which is endorsed by human dignity working groups in various European legislatures, codifies what is meant by human dignity, and does this by listing three main principles: that man is made in the image and likeness of God; that this image and likeness proceeds in every single human being without exception from conception until natural death; and that the most effective means of safeguarding this recognition is through the active participation of the Christian faith in the public square.

We strongly invite you to sign the Declaration here: by doing so, you will strengthen the position of all those who seek to use its principles in safeguarding their own public testimony to Christ in their daily lives.