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• Adventist Representative Addresses Top-level U.N. Conference on Religion in Education
• Russian Commissioner on Human Rights Visits IRLA International Office
• LifeTalk Radio Interviews UN Liaison Coordinator

Adventist Representative Addresses Top-level U.N. Conference on Religion in Education

Dr. Leandro Despouy, Mrs. Mary Robinson, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher

November 25, 2001.Madrid, Spain. The Seventh-day Adventist Church's representative to the United Nations addressed the full session of a high-level international conference called to examine methods of integrating religious freedom and human rights into school education.

In his statement, UN liaison director Jonathan Gallagher applauded the intent of the conference in working to prevent religious conflict and discrimination through education for tolerance and mutual respect.

"To seek to prevent the rise of religious freedom violations and intolerance is surely as significant as seeking to redress such actions once they have occurred, and we applaud all such measures that seek the betterment of humanity and the mutual respect of different groups within our many societies," he said.

Prof. Abdelfattah Amor, UN special rapporteur, meets with Dr. Gallagher

Gallagher, one of eight Adventists present, explained the great interest of the Adventist Church in both religious freedom and education and its continuing contributions in these areas, commenting that "the importance of inculcating principles of religious freedom in educational curricula is to us so clearly apparent that we have long taught along these lines."

The International Consultative Conference on School Education in Relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination was held in Madrid, Spain November 23-25. Hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Justice in conjunction with the UN Commission on Human Rights, the conference was attended by 800 delegates from national governments, religious communities, and non-government organizations.

Palacio de Congresos, Madrid, Spain

"The conference provided a wonderful opportunity to speak directly with top leaders such as the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Mary Robinson, former Irish Prime Minister; the UN special rapporteur Prof. Abdelfattah Amor; and the chairman of the Human Rights Commission Dr. Leandro Despouy," says Gallagher.

"As I mentioned in making the Church's statement to the conference, 'We look forward to some definite and practical proposals resulting from this conference that will provide the basis for recommendations for the integrating of principles of religious freedom and human rights in curricula for all national education systems.'"

Both Loma Linda University (California) and Montemorelos University (Mexico) provided in-depth materials for the conference detailing Adventist methodologies for teaching religious freedom, human rights and tolerance. For the full text of the conference statement click here.

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Russian Commissioner on Human Rights Visits IRLA International Office

L to R: Andrey Lebedev, Oleg Mironov, John Graz, Denton Lotz

Silver Spring, Maryland. At the invitation of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) Russian Chapter, Oleg Mironov, Commissioner on Human Rights for the Russian Federation visited the IRLA international office on November 9, 2001. Addressing the IRLA delegation, Mironov shared an extensive report of the work of the Commission since his appointment on May 22, 1998. The Federal Constitutional Law that was adopted by the State Duma in 1996, and approved by the Federation Council in 1997, was the first step in Russia's effort toward improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Citing many examples whereby the Commission had successfully intervened on behalf of its citizens, Mironov also stated that there are other challenges that the Russian Federation has to solve, such as its economy. Since his appointment in 1998, three Annual Reports and five Special Reports have been released by the Commission, which has offended higher structures of government. Mironov emphasized, however, that the reports are to identify problems to be solved and not to damage the reputation of any governmental department or individuals.

In his comments to IRLA officers, Commissioner Mironov pledged his continued commitment to reeducate and raise awareness toward human rights and religious freedom violations in his country. "In accordance with the law, the Commission has to act on its own initiative to protect the rights of those people and groups of people who cannot defend themselves," he pledged.

Accompanying Mironov were Robert Simonyan, Associate Head of Human Rights and State Counselor of the Russian Federation; Andrey Lebedev, Consultant of Mr. Moronov and State Counselor of the Russian Federation; and Victor Krushenitsky of the IRLA Russian Chapter. The IRLA delegation included John Graz, secretary-general and Denton Lotz, president of the International Religious Liberty Association. [Viola R Hughes]

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LifeTalk Radio Interviews UN Liaison Coordinator

Viola Hughes outside the UN headquarters in New York City

Silver Spring, Maryland. In a radio interview on November 8 with Dwight Lehnhoff and Bob Mix, hosts of LifeTalk Radio, Viola Hughes, United Nations Liaison Coordinator, emphasized the importance of having representation at the United Nations, which not only gives the Adventist Church access to various UN meetings and conferences around the world, but an opportunity to share the services that the Seventh-day Adventist Church offers, what our beliefs are, and the values for which we stand for.

As a non-governmental organization with consultative status, the Adventist Church is also consulted on a variety of topics, such as education, health, human rights, religious freedom, and medical work.

"The UN Liaison Office is a part of the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) which exists to promote and maintain religious freedom around the world. PARL represents the Church before governments, international organizations, and other religions," added Hughes.

LifeTalk Radio, based in Vonore, Tennessee, broadcasts via satellite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to a predominantly Christian audience in the East as well as the West Coast. Current plans are underway to extend broadcast services to Canada.

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