First Freedom Foundation

Groundbreaking worldwide event is set to take place from October 19-20, 2023

A groundbreaking worldwide event is set to take place from October 19-20, 2023: the Global Youth Summit on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). This unique summit will see more than 500 young participants from 77 different countries, across six continents, and from dozens of spiritual backgrounds come together.

Co-convened by a coalition of leading organizations in the FoRB space, including the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), Boat People SOS, Search for Common Ground, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and the First Freedom Foundation, the summit provides a global platform for young voices. These voices hail from diverse spiritual backgrounds and are eager to connect, collaborate, and co-create a future of freedom of religion or belief for all.

Patrice Pederson, Chair of the Planning Committee and President of the First Freedom Foundation, commented on the timeliness and significance of the summit: “With the fresh conflict between Israel and Hamas, Azerbaijan’s invasion of Artsakh and potential further incursions into Armenia, and Turkey’s assaults against the one bright spot for religious freedom in NE Syria, the global community is in dire need of hope. But every application that lands in my inbox reignites my hope for our world’s future. The fire in these young souls to make a difference is truly inspiring.”

Highlighting the importance of the summit and the voice of its participants, one participant from Nigeria remarked, “Freedom of Religion is important to me because my belief is my identity, and I don’t want to identify with fear.” Another from Iraq said, “I come from a region which is home to several ancient religious beliefs, yet the lack of religious freedom has been costly to the social cohesion as well as stability. In a polarizing environment, one faces discrimination, no matter how dominant your religion is. Thus, as a member of the public, I believe the reduced religious friction would help everyone, including myself, to live in harmony and peace together without resorting to violence.”

Support for the summit echoes from various influential figures in the FoRB community. Nadine Maenza, Chair of the IRF Secretariat, described the summit as a pivotal moment in the movement, saying, “It’s not every day that we witness a seismic shift in our movement. The Global Youth Summit for FoRB promises to be just that, channeling the promise and passion of our youth.”

About the Co-sponsoring Organizations:
The Global Youth Summit for FoRB is a collaborative effort among leading organizations in the field of Freedom of Religion or Belief. The First Freedom Foundation operates as an incubator/accelerator, equipping FoRB advocates with tools, training, and financial support. Other key collaborators include IRFBA, a 43-nation alliance dedicated to FoRB; Boat People SOS, an organization supporting refugees and promoting civil society; Search for Common Ground, the largest peacebuilding organization in the world; and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an organization advocating for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights.

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Contact:
Jacob Householder
First Freedom Foundation
1-480-599-8572
Media@FoRBsFuture.org

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Service or Religion News Foundation.