“A defining moment for Africa”: Official on First-ever International Religious Freedom Summit in Africa

Realized under the title, “Africa Together: A Continental Call to Religious Freedom,” the IRF Africa Summit opened during the afternoon of Monday, June 16. However, the main Summit programming has been slated for Tuesday, June 17, the Press Release indicates.

In the Press Release, officials of the conference highlight the challenges and opportunities in Africa as the host of the IRF Summit.

For the Co-Chair of the IRF Summit and former U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, “The situation in parts of Africa is dire, but there is also cause for hope.”

Ambassador Sam Brownback is quoted revealing that members of the IRF Summit “have countless partners on the ground in Africa who are ready to collaborate.”

The partners in Africa, Ambassador Brownback says, “are eager to build the IRF movement and work together to achieve lasting change.”

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“I believe IRF Summit Africa will be a turning point for bringing together a diverse coalition that can truly advance this fundamental human right across Africa,” he adds about the conference, whose principle organizing partners include Pepperdine University (PU) and Religious Freedom Institute (RFI).

In the Press Release, RFI President, David Trimble, says that “RFI is honoured to be an organizing partner for this critical gathering to mobilize the religious freedom movement throughout Africa." 

"Confronting the enormous threats to people of faith in Africa in the months and years ahead will take a concerted effort, and the IRF Summit Africa will provide the groundwork for that effort,” the RFI President is quoted as saying, adding, “We are thrilled to join with the African people to advance religious freedom throughout the continent.”

On his part, the President of PU, Jim Gash, is quoted as saying, “We are proud to stand with leaders across Africa and the global community to advance this essential right.” 

He adds, “It is a profound honor to co-convene the IRF Summit Africa and to welcome Chief Justices from across the continent who are committed to safeguarding religious freedom and strengthening the rule of law in their nations. This Summit is a powerful demonstration of what principled leadership can achieve.”

For the International Vice President for RFI at the Global Peace Foundation, Dr. Paul Murray, realizing the Summit on the world's second largest and second-most populous continent shows that “Africa stands at a pivotal moment in history.”

Dr. Murray says, “As the world’s youngest and most spiritually vibrant continent, the stakes for religious freedom could not be higher. The Global Peace Foundation is honored to host the co-convened IRF Summit Africa to amplify African voices, foster faith-based collaboration, and advance our shared vision for an African Renaissance, where dignity, peace, and moral leadership guide the future. This Summit is not just a gathering; it is a continental call to action.”

A series of panels and conversations have been scheduled for June 17, and those expected to speak during the Summit “include chief justices from African countries, representatives of the United Nations in Africa, faith community and NGO leaders, human rights lawyers, survivors of persecution and more,” the Press Release indicates.

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