On August 7-9, Professor Cole Durham and Professor Brett Scharffs participated as trainers in the 8th annual Certificate Training Program on Religion and the Rule of Law held in Beijing, China, sponsored by the Pu Shi Institute. Durham and Scharffs each spoke on several topics relating to this year's program theme, Religion and Security. Durham lectured on the strategic outlook and global trends in countering violent extremism, the "International Bill of Rights" related to religion, and newly emerging religions. Scharffs spoke on the legal status of religious groups, religious freedom and free speech, and religious property and finance and tax issues.
The training included experts from several countries, as well as participants from many parts of China.