RFI President David Trimble joined the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit held this week on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The Summit’s theme was “Depolarizing Religious Liberty,” and it brought together religious leaders, scholars, and advocates to discuss the future of religious liberty.

Trimble was a panelist during a session on “Decreasing Religious Polarization Through International Diplomacy.” His fellow panelists included Lord David Alton, House of Lords, Liverpool Hope University; Ms. Melinda Davis, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies; Professor Mark Hill, Global Distinguished Professor of Law, Notre Dame London Law Programme; and Ms. Julie Jones, Director, The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief.

During his comments, Trimble outlined key elements of effective religious freedom diplomacy based on his experience promoting this fundamental human right in Iraq, in response to ISIS atrocities there, and elsewhere. He pointed to the importance of gaining a deep understanding of a country’s socio-political realities, prioritizing K-12 education, upholding the principle of equality before the law, and committing to truth and refusing to affirm falsehood. On this last point, Trimble emphasized that decreasing religious polarization through diplomacy must be grounded in religious freedom, which in its own right must be based not on the false notion that all religions are equally true, but on the essential premise that all people are equal in dignity. He added that diplomacy grounded in truth is the necessary foundation for creating policy and finding solutions that lead to stability and human flourishing for all.