The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2024 will be held on January 30-31, in Washington, D.C. Every year, this is a gathering that unites powerful voices dedicated to religious freedom worldwide. It is a leading global platform for advocates and activists committed to increasing public awareness and political strength for the international religious freedom movement.
This year’s summit is co-chaired by Ambassador Sam Brownback, former Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, and Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights. Several Honorary Senate and Congressional Co-Chairs will join them in supporting religious freedom around the globe.
As religious freedom faces increasing challenges around the world, the summit is a crucial opportunity for civil society to collaborate, share insight, and drive meaningful changes. It aims at protecting the fundamental right of freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere, without fear of discrimination or persecution.
By bringing together officials and lawmakers from around the world, the summit provides a forum for discussing policy initiatives and diplomatic efforts to confront religious persecution. Through collective action, participants at the summit seek to advocate for meaningful change at both national and international levels.
The IRF Summit allows attendees to foster collaboration among organizations and individuals, to learn from each other’s experiences, and to develop effective strategies for promoting religious freedom in diverse cultural and political contexts.
As the International Multi-Faith Coalition (IMFC) looks ahead, it is clear that the stakes are high and this summit invaluable. The fundamental right to religious freedom is too easily and commonly threatened. Concerted action is needed to safeguard this right for all individuals, regardless of their faith or belief. As we anticipate the summit’s outcomes, it is clear that the global community is poised to make significant strides in advancing religious freedom for all.