SCHEDULE • CONGRESS PARTICIPANT INFORMATION • PRESS INFORMATION • REGISTRATION
Our worldwide commitment to religious freedom for all people will be highlighted at the
6th World Congress of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA)
February 27-March 1, 2007 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Under the theme of "Combating Religious Hatred Through Freedom to Believe," the IRLA World Congress will draw United Nations personnel, ambassadors, church leaders and laypersons from many faiths to a special focus on the fundamental human right to choose one's one religious belief. The five days of the congress will highlight instances of religious persecution in many world regions as well as equip participants to effectively advocate for change in their nations and organizations.
"This is the right message for the world today," says Dr. John Graz, secretary-general of the IRLA. "Africa is the continent where Christianity and Islam are both growing rapidly, and where religious tensions can erupt into religious wars. By coming to Cape Town, we will send a strong message of love and peace to the world, and work to combat religious intolerance.
"You don't have to be a specialist or a government officer to attend," Graz adds. "We're calling all lovers of liberty to join us at a time when every day's newscast underscores how much we need greater respect and tolerance.
Theme: Combating Religious Hatred Through Freedom to Believe
SIXTH IRLA WORLD CONGRESS - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Good News from the Secretary-General:
- More than 400 participants have been yet registered. None of the 600 seats of the auditorium of the International Convention Center in Cape Town will be free for the opening meeting;
- More than 150 participants will come from outside Africa with the biggest delegation coming from Inter-America;
- The President of the Republic of South Africa has been invited to open the 6th IRLA World Congress;
- The Premier, Honorable Ibrahim Razool will welcome the participants, on February the 28th ;
- The Mayor of Cape Town, Mrs Zille will give the closing message of the congress, March 1;
- Human Rights Leader in South Africa: Mr. Jody Nazandran Kollapen, will be the guest speaker of the IRLA Banquet, March 1;
- Professor Rik Torfs, from the University of Louvain, has confirmed and so has professor Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes from the University of Madrid;
- Muslim leader in South Africa, Maulana Ihsaan Hendricks will share Session 12, March 1, with the Cape Town’s University Professor James Cochrane and International Defender of Religious Freedom Attorney Mitchell Tyner. The theme will be: Realistic Answer to Religious Freedom.
- Ambassador Robert Seiple, Former US Ambassador At Large for International Religious freedom will speak February the 28th. His topic: Religious Freedom: Supporting the Separation of Church and Hate.
- Professor Anatoly Krasikov, Former chief of Presidential Press Service under President Yeltsine, Head of the Center for Social and Religious Studies at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Professor Krasikov will give an update on the state of religious freedom in Russia.
- Nobel prize-winners Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu have been contacted and also the Archbishop of Cape Town.
Secretary General Comments:
The 6th IRLA World Congress is already a success in term of number of participants. The strongest delegation outside of Africa will come from Inter-America and will be led by the IRLA Regional President Elder Israel Leito. The congress’ program will be interesting but it will be also very useful for those who are defending religious freedom around the world. Lectures will be given by world best experts and reports from all around the world will be given by IRLA regional Secretary General and NGO’s. There will be 15 workshops with some of the following themes: Religious Freedom in Africa: New Challenges, Combating Religious Intolerance, Religious Symbols in Public Schools, Church and State Separation in the USA … I wish this 6th World Congress provides excellent information and resources and give practical tools to those who believe and defend religious freedom for all and everywhere.