January 25, 2019, Washington, D.C. — The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) welcomes the U.S. Department of State’s recent announcement that it will host a second consecutive Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom July 16-18, 2019.
This high-level event, according to the announcement, “will again gather hundreds of government representatives, religious leaders, survivors of religious persecution, and members of civil society to build on the actions that began with the inaugural Ministerial last year.”
“We are grateful for Secretary Pompeo’s commitment to advancing religious freedom around the world,” said Thomas Farr, President of RFI and founding Director of the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom. “U.S. leadership is strengthened when it recognizes religious freedom both as a moral imperative and a source of national and international security,” Farr continued, “and the upcoming Ministerial is further evidence that this administration is doing just that.”
RFI advised the State Department in planning last year’s Ministerial, which was an action-orientated, three-day event that dealt with economic, security, and human rights issues. Coinciding with the Ministerial, RFI hosted four side events featuring experts discussing the 20th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act, the role of the Vatican, lessons from Southeast Asia, and best practices for diplomats in advancing religious freedom.
As with the 2018 gathering, this year’s Ministerial has the potential to spur measurable change for years to come.
“Formal gatherings of this stature serve to make the U.S. commitment to international religious freedom more visible, durable, and effective. We applaud Secretary Pompeo and Ambassador Brownback for making the Ministerial an annual event,” said Farr.
Media Contact:
Jeremy P. Barker
media@religiousfreedominstitute.org
202-838-7734
www.religiousfreedominstitute.org
The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) works to secure religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. The RFI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C.
THE RFI BLOG
![Featured image for “RFI President Speaks on Religious Freedom and Depolarization at Notre Dame Summit”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DT-Speaking-at-ND-Religious-Liberty-Summit.jpg)
RFI President Speaks on Religious Freedom and Depolarization at Notre Dame Summit
![Featured image for “Religious Freedom Is Being Ignored This Election”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UK-FCO.jpg)
Religious Freedom Is Being Ignored This Election
![Featured image for “Celebrating America’s Independence and First Freedom”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SparklerAmericanFlag-scaled.jpg)
Celebrating America’s Independence and First Freedom
![Featured image for “State Department Releases Annual Report Documenting Dire Global Religious Freedom Picture”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IRF-Report-Cover-2023.png)
State Department Releases Annual Report Documenting Dire Global Religious Freedom Picture
![Featured image for “RFI President David Trimble Talks Religious Freedom Week on Drew Mariani Show”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RFWLogo_FullColor.jpeg)
RFI President David Trimble Talks Religious Freedom Week on Drew Mariani Show
CORNERSTONE FORUM
![Featured image for “Challenges to Religious Freedom in Iraq and the Critical Need for Action”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3666.jpg)
Challenges to Religious Freedom in Iraq and the Critical Need for Action
![Featured image for “Public Bioethics & the Failure of Expressive Individualism”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/headshot.jpg)
Public Bioethics & the Failure of Expressive Individualism
![Featured image for “Religious Liberty in American Higher Education”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/031623-Jennifer-Lichter-002-e1682974563353.png)
Religious Liberty in American Higher Education
![Featured image for “Scotland’s Kate Forbes and the March of Secularism”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jerry-Li-Pic01.jpg)
Scotland’s Kate Forbes and the March of Secularism
![Featured image for “70 Years of Religious Freedom in Sweden: Prospects and Challenges”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jacob-380-e1447190060158.jpg)