2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

The 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom will build on the themes of the Potomac Declaration and Plan of Action released last year. The 2019 Ministerial will have a robust agenda with more topical breakout sessions, to encourage greater interaction among the increased number of attendees and panelists.

Hội nghị cấp Bộ trưởng ngoai giao nâng cấp phát triển tự do tôn giáo toần cầu lần thứ nhất năm 2018

On Day One (July 16), there will be several main sessions to discuss: Building Blocks for Advancing Religious Freedom; Emerging Trends in Religious Freedom; and Religious Freedom in Development and Humanitarian Assistance.

On Day Two, each of these three topics will have its own separate track at the Ministerial. The three tracks are as follows:

Building Blocks for Advancing Religious Freedom: Track 1 will explore the foundation elements that ensure Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).Breakout session topics will include subjects such as challenges facing religious minorities, best practices in religious freedom advocacy, governments’ role in advancing FoRB, and combatting anti-Semitism.
Emerging Trends in Religious Freedom: Track 2 will explore emerging trends that help foster the growth of FoRB.Breakout session topics will include subjects such as atrocity prevention, interfaith tolerance education to combat extremism, religious freedom and national security, religious freedom and economic prosperity, religious freedom and technology, media/reporting on religious freedom issues, and women’s rights and FoRB.
Religious Freedom in Development and Humanitarian Assistance. Track 3 will be lead by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Breakout topics are in development but will explore the intersection of how religious communities, faith leaders, and faith based organizations and the development community.