Conference Overview

The 31st International Law and Religion Symposium brought together global leaders, scholars, and students to explore how faith, law, and diplomacy can work together to promote peace and human dignity. Over several plenary and breakout sessions, participants discussed challenges such as political polarization, religious persecution, and social inequality, emphasizing that true peace depends on protecting the freedom of belief for all people. Speakers shared stories from regions like Colombia, Ukraine, Indonesia, and New Zealand, highlighting both the struggles and successes of interfaith cooperation in rebuilding trust and stability. From judicial leaders defending the rule of law to religious representatives bridging divides within their communities, the conference reaffirmed that religious freedom is not only a legal principle but also a moral foundation for justice, compassion, and sustainable peace worldwide.

Student Reflections

The student reflections revealed how deeply transformative the conference experience was for each participant. Abish Torio shared how initial nervousness quickly turned into meaningful engagement as she interacted with international delegates and organizers. Through shared meals and conversations, she gained insight into how people from countries like Gambia, Ghana, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are using faith as a tool for peacebuilding. She described feeling inspired by speakers such as Richard A. Hunter, Jeffrey S. Robinson, and Samira Gutoc, whose stories of resilience and advocacy for human dignity left a powerful impression. Abish reflected that the collective sense of purpose at the symposium strengthened her belief that peace and understanding are rooted in the protection of religious freedom.

Brock Bennett and John Zenger echoed similar sentiments of growth and gratitude. Brock said the symposium helped him recognize that the struggle for human rights and religious freedom remains a current, global challenge. He was particularly moved by Bishop Timoteo’s reminder that even faith institutions must confront their own limitations to foster interfaith understanding, and by the inspiring accounts from New Zealand representatives Rhakesh Naidoo and Vanisa Dhiru on post-tragedy unity. For John, the most memorable moments came from witnessing harmony among delegates of different faiths, including a peaceful resolution between two Muslim representatives, which demonstrated religion’s capacity to unite. His discussions with Reverend Andrew Teal and Judge Wallace broadened his professional and academic goals, while Sharon Eubank’s insights shifted his perspective on religion as a positive global force. Collectively, these reflections highlight how the symposium deepened students’ appreciation for dialogue, faith, and cooperation in promoting peace and human dignity.

Conference Highlights

The plenary sessions of the conference showcased a broad range of global insights on the intersections of faith, law, and peacebuilding. In the First Plenary Session, speakers explored religion’s power to heal societies fractured by conflict. Fiona Bruce highlighted the UK’s Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) policy as a model for strengthening individual rights, while Carlos Bernal Pulido shared Colombia’s lessons from shifting peacebuilding efforts from government-led to church-led initiatives—an approach that restored legitimacy and public trust. James Christie emphasized that storytelling sustains religion’s moral force, calling lawmakers to empathy and compassion. Emma Nicholson connected the teachings of Christ with democracy and warned that when governments control family and faith, freedom dissolves. Mervyn Thomas raised a critical question about the balance between protecting minorities and managing competing rights. Together, these talks reinforced that peace requires both legal frameworks and moral conviction rooted in religious values.The Second and Third Plenary Sessions delved into the dangers of political polarization and the practical steps societies can take to promote unity. Speakers such as Yasuhide Nakayama and Ismat Jahan linked global unrest—from Ukraine to rising populism in Europe—to nationalism and inequality. Ján Figel’ challenged attendees to defend human dignity even when it is unpopular, reminding them that freedom demands responsibility. In the final plenary, voices like Sharon Eubank and Samira Gutoc shared tangible examples of interfaith cooperation, from humanitarian coordination in Iraq and Germany to Muslims and Christians protecting one another during conflict in the Philippines. Eubank declared that “the best of faith must compete with conflict,” while Gutoc urged governments to redirect resources toward education rather than militarization. These testimonies brought faith-driven solutions into sharp focus—showing that religious freedom is not merely a right to be protected, but a bridge toward collective peace and understanding.Complementary breakout sessions added depth and urgency to these themes. Media professionals like Luis Rosales and Peggy Fletcher Stack examined journalism’s role in shaping public attitudes toward peace, lamenting that “peace doesn’t sell” yet calling for integrity in storytelling. Delegates from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and New Zealand provided sobering and hopeful examples of religion’s dual role as both a source of division and a force for unity. Accounts from Dr. Maksym Vasin and Anna Mariya Ziuzina detailed the destruction of sacred sites in Ukraine as an assault on both culture and faith, while speakers from New Zealand, Rakesh Naidoo and Vanisa Dhiru, illustrated how collaboration between faith groups and law enforcement after the Christchurch tragedy turned tragedy into trust. From Africa to the Pacific, leaders echoed the same conviction: peacebuilding succeeds when moral courage, mutual respect, and the freedom to believe coexist at the heart of public life.