USCIRF Summit on International Religious Freedom

On April 18, 2018, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a summit commemorating the 20th anniversary of the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 in Washington D.C.
The summit included a plenary to discuss the “State of the Union” of international religious freedom followed by two panels featuring distinguished guests discussing strategies for achieving positive change for religious freedom and prisoners of conscience around the world.

A link to the live Twitter recording of the event can be found here.

USCIRF Summit
on International Religious Freedom
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Event location

Harding Hall
Government Publishing Office
732 North Capitol Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20401

Speakers included: Former USCIRF Chairs Robbie George, Katrina Lantos Swett, Leonard Leo, and Rabbi David Saperstein; members of Congress; former Representative Frank Wolf; and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, among others.

EVENT AGENDA

Introduction by USCIRF Chairman Daniel Mark – 9:30 am – 9:35 am

Plenary: State of International Religious Freedom – 9:35 am – 10:35 am

Former USCIRF Chairs will discuss a “state of the union” of international religious freedom. Panelists will look back and look forward – focusing on challenges and progress. Moderated by Chairman Daniel Mark.

Former USCIRF Chairs: Robert George, Katrina Lantos Swett, Leonard Leo, and Rabbi David Saperstein.

Break: 10:35 am – 10:45 am

Panels:

Strategies to Make Positive Change – 10:45 am – 11:30 am

Moderated by Commissioner Cliff May

Women and Religious Freedom: Farahnaz Ispahani, Wilson Center Global Fellow
Sanctions: Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Working with the Media: Tom Gallagher, CEO and Publisher, Religion News Service
Interacting with the U.S. government – IRF 2.0: Sharon Payt, Executive Director, 21^st Century Wilberforce Initiative

Prisoners of Conscience – 11:35 am – 12:30 pm

Panelists will highlight projects advocating for prisoners of conscience. Moderated by Commissioner Thomas Reese

Defending Freedoms Project: Representative Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Co-Chair, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Panchen Lama and Gulmira Imin, China: Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee
Pastor Andrew Brunson, Turkey, and Thich Quang Do, Vietnam: Vice Chairwoman Kristina Arriaga
Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh (in person), Vietnam: Commissioner Jackie Wolcott
Taking Action for Prisoners of Conscience: Judith Golub

Plenary: Call to Action – 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm

Moderated by Commissioner John Ruskay

The Honorable Frank Wolf
Senator James Lankford (R-OK)

Closing: Chairman Daniel Mark

For a copy of the agenda, please click here.