The International Religious Freedom Act: Ten Years Later

The International Religious Freedom Act: Ten Years Later

In October 1998 Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). The IRFA mandated the promotion of religious liberty around the world as a central element of American foreign policy. In 2008 three symposia at Georgetown examined the origins and promise, performance, and future of international religious freedom policy. Experts from across the spectrum of American public life—scholars, policymakers, activists, and journalists—as well as informed officials and observers from around the globe, addressed the strengths, the weaknesses, and the prospects of a policy designed to advance international religious freedom.

This series was hosted by Georgetown University and co-organized by the Berkley Center and the Center on Faith & International Affairs at the Institute for Global Engagement. Co-sponsors included:

The series was also made possible in part through the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation and the Luce/SFS Program on Religion and International Affairs.