The IRF Summit is pleased to host its second annual regional conference in Asia, this time to be held in Tokyo. Home to 60% of the world’s population and a number of the leading persecution hotspots, Asia is a critical area of focus for the international religious freedom community today.
Often overshadowed by other geopolitical concerns, understanding the complex implications of religious identity in Asia is a critical first step in addressing current conflicts and preventing future ones. From the ongoing genocide of Uyghurs in China to the violent implications of democratic backsliding and religious nationalism in India and beyond, a lack of concern for religious freedom has sadly become the norm in much of the region.
TOKYO, Japan
Join leading experts at The New Otani Hotel to address the challenges of religious freedom in Asia.
partners
Topics
Join the IRF Summit co-chairs and an array of leading experts on the topic as they discuss current issues, upcoming challenges, and the path forward for international religious freedom in Asia.
Summit Welcome and Interview: “Why IRF Summit Asia?”
Sam Brownback
Katrina Lantos Swett
Impact of Genocide in the Region
Omer Kanat
Marco Respinti
Religious Pluralism Leads to Stability and Growth
David Curry
Enshrining Religious Freedom in Asian Democracies
Freedom of Belief Under Authoritarian Governments
Benedict Rogers
Thang Nguyen
TG Arya
Bob Fu
The Geopolitical Importance of Religious Freedom in Asia
Mike Pompeo
Speakers
Benedict Rogers
President of Hong Kong Watch
Katrina Lantos Swett
IRF Summit Co-Chair
Bob Fu
President of ChinaAid
David Curry
President of Global Christian Relief
Dr Nguyen Dinh Thang
President of Boat People SOS
Hannah Smith
Associate Director of International Center of Law and Religion Studies
Mike Pompeo
70th Secretary of State of the United States
Omer Kanat
President of Uyghur Human Rights Project
Robert Rehak
Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Interfaith Dialogue and Freedom of Religion or Belief
Saho Matsumoto
Professor at Nihon University
Sam Brownback
IRF Summit Co-Chair
Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake
Chair of the Board, International Shinto Studies Association
Dr. TG Arya
Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia
Pastor Andrew Brunson
Special Advisor for Religious Freedom at Family Research Council
Marco Respinti
Director-in-Charge of Bitter Winter
Tim Peters
Founder / Director HHK_Catacombs NGO
Schedule
Sunday, July 21
- 19:00 Welcome Dinner for international Guests
Monday, July 22
- 8:00 AM Registration Opens
- 9:30 AM Morning Session
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:00 Afternoon Session
- 17:00 Evening Keynote
- 18:00 Reception
- 19:00 Dinner
Tuesday, July 23
- Secondary Trauma Training
- Partner Side Events
details
The Summit will be held at the New Otani Hotel. Attendance will be capped at 150 persons, with online registration limited to 100. The registration fee covers the cost of meals and does not include travel or accommodations.
The event is open to the press.
For more information, please reach out to manus.churchill@irfsummit.org.
Hear from top experts on religious freedom issues in Asia.
Participate in in-depth conversations on Asia’s religious landscape.
Join interactive sessions designed to enhance understanding and collaboration.