The fundamental role of religious freedom in democratic societies and universal human rights took the spotlight this week in Washington, D.C., at the annual International Religious Freedom Summit (IRF), a major platform for bipartisan, multifaith collaboration co-sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and other partner organizations. Gathering participants from around the world, this year’s event featured a powerful lineup of speakers, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, religious leaders, nonprofit leaders, and activists.
The summit’s participants discussed the ongoing challenges faced by religious communities around the world, from discrimination and persecution to restrictions on religious practices, while emphasizing the resilience and determination of religious groups and advocates, who continue to fight for freedom of belief in the face of adversity.
A panel moderated by Co-editor of the Journal of Democracy Will Dobson discussed tools that authoritarian regimes are using to limit religious freedom, such as censorship, transnational repression, and the weaponizing of religion itself. NED grantee and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviychuk; former NED grantee and fellow Felix Maradiaga, and partner Adrian Zenz shared their experiences and provided recommendations for the international religious freedom movement to respond.
Democratic societies cannot exist without freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Since its founding in 1983, NED has proudly supported courageous partners around the world who promote and defend these core democratic values, safeguard human rights, and enable the free and full participation of all. In emerging and transitional democracies, religious communities often play an important role in protecting and advancing individual rights.
