About EME
EME, Europe and the Middle East, is the regional network of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). It connects IARF chapters, member organisations and individual members across the region. Participation is not tied to a single religious tradition.
EME brings together people and communities committed to liberal religion, freedom of religion or belief, human rights and open interfaith engagement. It organises and coordinates regional events and activities across Europe and the Middle East.
What EME stands for
As a regional group of IARF, EME is grounded in freedom, dignity, open inquiry and cooperation across religious and philosophical differences.
Freedom of religion or belief
Freedom to hold, change, express or decline religious and non-religious beliefs.
Liberal religion
Open, non-dogmatic religious thinking shaped by inquiry, conscience and dialogue.
Human dignity
Respect for human rights and the equal dignity of every person.
Open dialogue
Respectful and honest cooperation between religions, philosophies and worldviews.
Against extremism
Opposition to religious extremism, fanaticism, radicalism and fatalism.
Religious minorities
Protection of minority communities and their freedom to live and practise safely.
Who is part of EME?
EME is a regional network rather than a single kind of religious organisation. It includes IARF chapters and member organisations, individual IARF members, liberal religious communities, and interreligious and human-rights organisations connected with IARF.
It also provides a point of connection for people and communities moving towards a liberal and freedom-oriented understanding of religion.
The region brings together people from diverse religious and philosophical backgrounds, including:
What EME does
EME supports its members in learning from one another, presenting their work, building partnerships and responding collectively to challenges affecting religious freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence. It also helps members contribute to the wider international work of IARF.
Conferences and study tours
Regional gatherings around current questions, local communities and religious traditions.
Online and interfaith dialogue
Regular online exchange across countries and respectful dialogue between religions, philosophies and worldviews.
Learning and seminars
Exploring liberal religion, human rights, democracy, minority rights, peacebuilding and related themes.
Cooperation and mutual support
Connecting communities through visits, shared speakers and resources, joint events and practical partnerships.
Religious freedom and human rights
Contributing informed and constructive responses when religion, institutions or political power come into conflict with individual freedoms.
Sharing liberal religion
Helping liberal religious communities make their beliefs, activities and contributions to interreligious dialogue better known across the region.
A shared and complex history
Europe and the Middle East share a complex history. It includes colonialism, discrimination and unequal treatment, but also important philosophical, ethical and human-rights traditions. EME seeks to engage with this history consciously and responsibly while strengthening liberty, equality, human dignity and mutual respect.
