Freedom for conscience and worship
What are the problems in Europe concerning this area of freedom? Should we demand religious freedom for Christians only? Or also for Muslims and people of other faiths? Why is FoRB a task for us all? Why is this freedom crucial for all the other freedoms? What happens when it is lost? What do our governments do about it? What should the government’s role be? What message do we need to give to our governments? What can we, a small minority, do about it?

Chair: Julia Doxat-Purser

14:00 – 15:15 Session 1:

Introduction
Presentation –  Christel Ngnambi: Religious freedom and the ‘extremes’ (unavailable)
Response
Discussion

16:00 – 17:15 Session 2:
Introduction
Presentation –Julia Doxat-Purser: The Asylum Crisis: Threat or Opportunity for Religious Freedom? 
Response
Discussion
Conclusions and prayer

Julia Doxat-Purser (UK), is the European Evangelical Alliance’s socio-political & religious liberty representative. She was previously EEA’s Brussels representative for 8 years. She co-convenes the European Religious Liberty Forum with Advocates Europe, and is helpings to develop the European Freedom Network, linking ministries working on human trafficking. Julia also works with the World Evangelical Alliance on religious liberty, human trafficking and political engagement training. Julia is married to Alistair and lives in Bournemouth, England.

Christel Ngnambi, EEA (BE), started as the Brussels Representative in September 2007. He is a political Science graduate with a deep interest in developing a Christian mind and applying Christian thinking to public policy. His personal public policy interests include migration.

Session 2

Julia Doxat-Purser: The Asylum Crisis: Threat or Opportunity for Religious Freedom? 

JULIA – A QUICK REVIEW OF THE SITUATION AROUND EUROPE: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE.  WE KNOW THAT THERE IS UNDER-REPORTING BY REFUGEES OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF REPRISALS OR THEY HAVE NOT LEARNED TO TRUST THE AUTHORITIES AND DO NOT WANT TO COMPLAIN.  AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE NOT MAJOR PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE. FOR EXAMPLE, HUNGARIAN PARTNERS REPORTED THAT, AS FAR AS THEY COULD TELL, REFUGEE CENTRES WERE BEING RUN WELL AS FAR AS RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF OF EVERYONE WAS CONCERNED.