wfn.org | Adventist News Network: "Urgent Issues" to be Addressed at

["Beckett, John" <BeckettJ@gc.adventist.org>]

> Adventist News Network
> www.adventist.org
> Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters
> February 13, 2002
> 
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> "Urgent Issues" to be Addressed at International Religious Freedom
> Congress
> Silver Spring, Maryland, USA .... [IRLA Staff/ANN]
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Plans for a high-level world congress on religious freedom have taken on
> even greater significance in light of recent global events, says John
> Graz, secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty
> Association.
> 
> "The world congress is held every five years, so this is our premier
> event," says Graz, who adds that "more than ever religious freedom and the
> need to develop tolerance are the key issues in today's society. We
> believe that religious freedom is the best answer to religious fanaticism
> and anti-religious ideologies."
> 
> The congress will convene in Manila, Philippines, from June 10 to 13 and
> will  bring together diplomats, experts, and religious leaders to examine
> "Religious Freedom: A Basis for Peace and Justice." Speakers include
> president of the Philippines Dr. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, United Nations
> Undersecretary General Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, and United Nations
> Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance Professor Abdelfattah Amor,
> along with many other high-level representatives, government officials,
> and scholars from more than 50 countries. The most recent world congress
> was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1997.
> 
> "In today's global community, religious freedom is under great threat,"
> comments Jonathan Gallagher, communication director for the IRLA.
> "Religion-inspired violence is on the increase, with extremism and
> intolerance becoming the norm. We believe this vital world congress will
> provide the opportunity for people of many faiths to interact and to work
> together on solutions."
> 
> Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has promoted and defended religious freedom
> for 109 years. Various religious traditions are represented on the Board
> of Directors, while the presidency rotates annually among a panel of vice
> presidents. The current president is Dr. Denton Lotz, general secretary of
> the Baptist World Alliance. The IRLA has no paid staff and officers and
> directors serve voluntarily. Funding for IRLA operations comes from
> organizations supportive of the association's purpose. The IRLA was
> originally organized by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church;
> however its purpose is universal and non-sectarian, seeking to address
> religious freedom concerns from all faith communities. More information
> about the IRLA and the world congress can be found at www.irla.org.
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> Adventist News Network: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland,
> USA 20904-6600 phone: (301) 680-6306. e-mail address:
> adventistnews@compuserve.com. 
> 
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