Vatican-US Symposium on Advancing and Defending International Religious Freedom - Free Online - Full Official Release
Press Release: Symposium on Advancing and Defending International Religious Freedom
September 26, 2020
Secretary Pompeo, Cardinal Parolin, Archbishop Gallagher to Participate in U.S. Symposium on Religious Freedom
ROME (September 26, 2020) – Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Holy See Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Gallagher will participate in the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See’s symposium, “Advancing and Defending International Religious Freedom Through Diplomacy,” on September 30.
The symposium will highlight diplomatic tools that governments, international organizations, and faith-based organizations can use to identify and confront religious persecution and encourage international cooperation to protect and promote religious freedom.
Religious persecution and restrictions on religious freedom are among the most pressing global human rights concerns today. Promoting and securing religious freedom is a cornerstone of the United States’ diplomatic relationship with the Holy See.
“The United States understands that upholding the right to religious freedom is not just a moral necessity, it is a national security imperative. When nations effectively promote and protect religious freedom, they are safer, more prosperous, and secure,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich.
Symposium panelists will include representatives from the U.S., Holy See, and UK governments, as well as leaders from the Aid to the Church in Need and the AVSI Foundation. The moderator for both panels will be John Allen, President and Founder of Crux. Please see the attached list for additional details.
This symposium will be held at the Westin Excelsior in Rome. Please note that COVID-19 health and safety precautions will be adhered to strictly. A limited number of attendees and journalists will be allowed in-person with advance registration. All others will be able to follow the symposium live on the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See Facebook page: @HolySee.USembassy.
For accreditation to this symposium, please send your full name, media affiliation, and equipment requirements to Mary Shovlain, Public Diplomacy Specialist, U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, ShovlainML@state.gov (Office: +390646743444) no later than 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 28.
U.S. Embassy to the Holy See Symposium
Advancing and Defending International Religious Freedom Through Diplomacy
September 30, 2020 / 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy
Welcome Remarks
Callista L. Gingrich, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See
Opening Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Holy See Secretary for Relations with States
Moderator
John Allen, President and Founder, Crux
Panel 1 — Diplomatic Tools for Identifying Areas of Concern Where Religious Freedom is Threatened
Panelists
Ambassador Nathan Sales, Acting Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, U.S. Department of State
Marcela Szymanski, Editor-in-Chief, Religious Freedom in the World, Aid to the Church in Need
Rehman Chishti, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
Panel 2 — Diplomacy and International Cooperation
Panelists
Ambassador Samuel Brownback, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom
Giampaolo Silvestri, Secretary General, AVSI Foundation
Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, Bureau Chief for Islam, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
Closing Remarks
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Holy See Secretary of State
Source: https://va.usembassy.gov/press-release-symposium-on-advancing-and-defending-international-religious-freedom/
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