The correlation between religious freedom and sustainable development has been largely overlooked. Despite its pivotal importance, religious freedom is scarcely addressed within the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and has notably been absent from global policy discussions on international development.
Failure to prioritize and nurture religious freedom may precipitate a resurgence of religious nationalism and extremism. Conversely, safeguarding religious freedom bolsters the prospects for lasting peace and contributes to the advancement of multiple SDGs.
This one-day conference aims to explore innovative frameworks and strategies for fostering religion-sensitive and inclusive policies and engagements. Additionally, it seeks to provide empirical evidence highlighting the relationship between religious freedom and economic development.
Tune in on June 18 at 9:00 a.m. ET to access the broadcast and exclusive coverage, including a keynote address and panel discussions, of the event.
Opening remarks
Keynote remarks
Panels
Agenda
Greetings and introductory remarks
FEATURING
Antonio Zanardi Landi, ambassador, the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Holy See
Michael Fisch, chairman, Freedom and Prosperity Center Advisory Council, Atlantic Council, US
Nazila Ghanea, special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, United Nations
Panel one: An introduction: The global crisis of religious freedom through the prism of integral human development
FEATURING
Arch. Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for relations with states, Holy See
“The Promotion of Religious Freedom and Integral Human Development: The view of the Holy See”
Scott Appleby, dean, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, US
“Integral Human Development: What it is and how it contributes to a better understanding and implementation of Religious Freedom”
Silvio Ferrari, emeritus professor of law and religion, University of Milan & Honorary President, the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies, Italy
“What is the contribution of Freedom of Religion or Belief to Integral Human Development?”
MODERATOR
Fabio Petito, professor of religions & international affairs, University of Sussex, UK/Italy
Panel two: Religious freedom & global development: Evidence, challenges and opportunities from the perspective of integral human development
FEATURING
Yawovi Jean Attila, professor of canon law, Pontifical Urbanian University, Italy/Togo
Brian Grim, president, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, US
Joseph Lemoine, director, Freedom and Prosperity Center, Atlantic Council, US
Katherine Marshall, executive director, World Faiths Development Dialogue, Georgetown University, US
Adrian Pabst, professor of politics and University of Kent & Deputy Director, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, UK
MODERATOR
Dan Negrea, senior director, Freedom and Prosperity Center, Atlantic Council, US
Panel three: An interreligious conversation: Integral human development, human dignity and religious freedom
FEATURING
Peter Mandaville, senior advisor for faith rngagement, United States Agency for International Development, US
Mahan Mirza, executive director, Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion, University of Notre Dame, US
Sharon Rosen, global director for religious engagement, Search for Common Ground, Jerusalem, Israel
Brett Scharffs, Rex E. Lee chair and professor of law, Brigham Young University, US
Richard Sudworth, secretary for inter religious affairs, Archbishop of Canterbury, UK
MODERATOR
Michael D. Driessen, associate professor of political science, John Cabot University; director, Rome Summer Seminars on Religion and Global Politics, Italy
Panel four: From idea to policy impact: Looking at religious freedom through the lens of integral human development –what difference does this make?
FEATURING
Rajeev Bhargava, director, Parekh Institute of Indian Thought, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India
Fiona Bruce, UK Prime Minister’s special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, UK
Rocco D’Ambrosio, professor of political philosophy, the Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy
Jean–Christophe Peaucelle, advisor for religious affairs, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France
Mariz Tadros, professor of politics and development & director, The Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development, Institute of development studies, UK/Egypt
MODERATOR
Scott Appleby, dean, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, US
Religious freedom and integral human development: Changing the conversation
FEATURING
Msgr. Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo, under-secretary, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Holy See
Prof. Fabio Petito, professor of religion & international affairs, University of Sussex, UK/Italy
Amb. Robert Řehák, chair of the international religious freedom or belief alliance, Czech Republic
HH Khaleefa Muhammadu Sanusi II, 14th rmir of kano & grand khaleefa of the tijjaniya sufi order, Nigeria
INSTITUTIONAL GREETINGS
HE Count Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, grand chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
MODERATOR
Alison Hillard, senior program director, Wilton Park, UK
At the presence of HMEH the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Frà John T. Dunlap
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The Freedom and Prosperity Center aims to increase the prosperity of the poor and marginalized in developing countries and to explore the nature of the relationship between freedom and prosperity in both developing and developed nations.
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