Our Priorities

Our work & activities are guided by the principles expressed in Article 18 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
 

IARF has developed a Statement of Purpose which outlines our priorities. From these guidelines it has focused its work on five practical programme areas:

• Supporting affected communities: Identifying communities that have recently suffered from the denial of religious freedom and working with regional co-ordinators and member organisations to develop practical programmes of support;

• Non-formal diplomacy: Communicating with decision makers on the basis of non-formal diplomacy, and through U.N. channels, to raise concerns about religious persecution;

• Young adult programmes: Creating a global network of young adults who are committed to addressing religious freedom issues and to promoting interfaith harmony and understanding;

• Codes of Conduct: Working with member organisations to develop voluntary guidelines for responsible religious practice;

• Preventive strategies: Identifying vulnerable areas before acts of religious intolerance recur, or occur, and developing programmes focused on prevention, including an emphasis on the role of education.