“Religion pours $1.2 trillion into the US economy every year,” said social scientist and director of International Religious Resources at Pew Forum Brian J. Grim. “That is 50 per cent more than America’s six largest oil companies.” Grim’s startling fact-sharing was part of an introduction to an updated report on the state of religious freedom around the world, on the opening day of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA)’s 8th World Congress in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States, on August 22.
Grim’s presentation came on the heels of the official opening of the event, which has brought together around 600 religious freedom advocates, government officers, and church leaders from 65 countries. During the three-day event, they will listen to thought-provoking seminars, enjoy breakout sessions in four different languages, and network with like-minded supporters of religious freedom.
“Religious freedom [is] a principle of dignity for humanity,” explained Ganoune Diop, IRLA’s secretary-general and director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “IRLA is committed to the task…of making this world a better place for millions, [a place where] people can experience freedom of conscience, freedom of belief, and freedom of expression.”
As he briefly listed some of the organization’s accomplishments over the last five years, Diop reminded attendees that IRLA has been participating in public discourses and debate, engaging in international forums on religious freedom and peace, holding meetings of experts from top universities, and helping people to better understand what religious liberty means.
Threats to Religious Freedom Call for Doubling Advocacy Efforts
“Religion pours $1.2 trillion into the US economy every year,” said social scientist and director of International Religious Resources at Pew Forum Brian J. Grim.…
Ontario Conference Elects Mansfield Edwards to Third Term as President
On the opening day of its three-day constituency meeting at College Park Adventist Church, delegates of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists have voted Pastor…
CJC APPOINTS NEW CONFERENCE SECRETARY
The Executive Committee of the Central Jamaica Conference at its meeting held on the Wednesday, 9th August, 2017 has voted to appoint Pastor Nevail Douglas…
Long-Standing IAD Vice President Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree in Jamaica
Northern Caribbean University (NCU) conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree on Pastor Leon B. Wellington during the institution’s 94th Commencement (Graduation) ceremonies on campus in…
EJC President shares secrets of success at NCU Baccalaureate Service
Some thought it was his best sermon ever. Others believed the message was perfectly timed and on point. One thing was for sure, the message…
Inter-America’s 16th ASi’s Convention Opens Focusing Members to Wellness and Service
Inter-America’s Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi) Annual Convention kicked off last night in Panama City, Panama, challenging Adventist business owners, lawyers and health professionals…
Scientists and Theologians Work Together in Mexico
On July 20-30, 2017, more than 480 delegates from 24 union territories and 43 countries of the Inter-American Division (IAD) studied, queried and fellowshipped together…
“You Are Here to Change the Future”
The auditorium housing South America’s largest Seventh-day Adventist Church on the campus of Brazil’s Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo (UNASP) was packed to standing…
“It’s Time for Technology and Mission to Marry Each Other!”
A historic gathering of Seventh-day Adventist communication and information technology professionals have converged near Sao Paulo, Brazil for a week-long series of events that seek to…
University of Texas School of Dentistry offers free dental services to hundreds at the Good Samaritan Inn
For the third time in less than three months, clients of the Good Samaritan Inn (GSI) have benefitted from free dental services from a visiting…
