A Day for Freedom of Conscience and Religion

Event in France welcomes religious liberty experts for discussions, greater awareness.

November 4, 2024 | France | Franco-Belgian Union Conference, Inter-European Division, and Adventist Review

On October 26, the Vannes Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vannes, Brittany, France, organized a day of awareness and debate on freedom of conscience and religion. The event, entitled “Religious Freedom in the World,” brought together local religious leaders at the Palais des Arts in Vannes, and members of Seventh-day Adventist churches in Brittany.

An International Expert at the Heart of Discussions

The guest of honor was John Graz, former secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) and IRLA’s representative to the United Nations. Graz shared parts of the expertise he acquired during two decades of dialogue with heads of state, ministers, and religious leaders around the world.

A Franco-Swiss, Graz holds a doctorate in the history of religions from the Sorbonne (Paris 1). With this solid academic background, he served for twenty years (1995-2015) as director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. During his career, he visited more than 80 countries and met with many leaders, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

As the organizer of four world congresses on religious freedom and initiatives such as international festivals that brought together more than 270,000 people, Graz also contributed to the drafting of the Beirut Declaration on Religious Freedom. Distinguished by the Romanian National Medal of Merit (rank of Commander), he collaborated with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Beirut, in 2017, signing the Beirut Declaration on the “Faith for Rights” program. Now retired, he directs the International Center for Religious Freedom and Public Affairs (CILRAP) near Geneva, continuing his commitment through conferences, seminars, and publications.

During the October 26 event in Vannes, Graz’s presence enriched the discussions and allowed for deeper reflection on this crucial theme, event organizers said.

David Milard, secretary-general of the International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (AIDLR) France, was also present to introduce the association and answer questions from guests.

Commitment to Religious Freedom

Event organizers Fabien Artock and Mireille Lannuzel welcomed this first initiative in Brittany. Artock, a specialist in the Muslim world and someone committed to inter-religious dialogue, stressed the importance of taking a stand on the issue of religious freedom.

“The topic of religious freedom has never been so hotly contested, and the moment shared in Vannes alongside the AIDLR reminded us, once again, of the need to take a stand on this essential issue. It was a first in Brittany, and we hope that there will be many more to come,” he said.

A gospel concert, organized by members of Adventist churches in Brittany, closed the day of awareness and discussion.

Seventy-five Years of Defending Religious Freedom

Founded in 1946 with the support of Eleanor Roosevelt, AIDLR enjoys consultative status with the UN, the Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Its first secretary-general, Jean Nussbaum, established important diplomatic relations, notably with Pope Pius XII. Among its honorary presidents, the association has counted personalities such as Albert Schweitzer, René Cassin, and Mary Robinson. Its current honorary committee is chaired by Adama Dieng, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations. Its current secretary-general is Paulo Macedo.

In France, the AIDLR relies on Article 6 of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief to defend the right to observe days of rest and celebrate religious holidays. The Association has collaborated with political figures such as François Bayrou and Jacques Lang on the issue of the Sabbath.

The AIDLR monitors and analyzes trends in religious freedom, disseminates objective information, and engages in dialogue with the authorities. It organizes international conferences, publishes the magazine Conscience et Liberté, and contributes to the United Nations Faith4Right program. Leaders said the association remains a major player in the defense of religious freedom, adapting its actions to contemporary challenges.

This version of the article is based on the story posted in the Inter-European Division news site. The original was posted in French by BIA.