From January 28 to 30, Barcelona will host the 3rd International Congress on Freedom of Religion and Belief, organized by the Chair of Religious Freedom and Belief of Catalonia at the Blanquerna Observatory on Media, Religion and Culture. Participants from around twenty countries will take part, reflecting on religious freedom and freedom of conscience as a fundamental human right “based on real-life experiences and not only from theoretical approaches,” says URL professor Lana Kazkaz, coordinator of the Congress.
What will the work of these three days focus on?
We want to analyze the contemporary challenges facing this fundamental human right in different contexts, develop tools and methodologies to evaluate public policies, and prevent discrimination and conflict. All of this will be done by strengthening collaboration between academic research, policymakers, and social actors.
What can Catalonia contribute to the management of religious diversity?
Catalonia can contribute the experience of a plural democratic context in which religious diversity is part of everyday social life. From here, practical models of interreligious dialogue can be shared, as well as public policies that guarantee the neutrality of the State while protecting individual and collective rights, and educational initiatives that promote respect for freedom of conscience.
How do you assess the international situation in this field?
At the international level, the situation is uneven and, in many contexts, worrying. Although religious freedom and freedom of conscience are internationally recognized rights, legal, administrative, or social restrictions are increasing in numerous countries, especially for religious minorities. At the same time, there is also a growing commitment from international organizations and civil society to the defense of this right.
Read the full interview in the Full Dominical of the Archdiocese of Barcelona.