The issue of international religious freedom touches every culture, nation, religion, and political system. At present, almost 80 percent of the world’s inhabitants live in countries where there are high levels of governmental or societal restrictions on religion, and restrictions have been steadily increasing for several years. The implications of this reality touches every area of life.
The IRF Summit brings together a broad coalition of partners that passionately supports religious freedom around the globe for an annual two-day in-person event in Washington, D.C. These 90+ organizations represent over 30 distinct faith traditions and are the core of the civil society movement to advance international religious freedom around the globe.
Over the past three years, our Summit partners have built a diverse coalition that is working to advance freedom of religion, conscience, and belief around the world. But even as the movement for international religious freedom grows, we are witnessing increased levels of religious restriction and persecution around the world. Raising our voices in solidarity with those who suffer due to their beliefs is more important than ever.
Together we will gain political support for the global religious freedom movement and embolden civil society, people of faith, and governments to take a stand for religious freedom.
Summit Co-Chairs
Sam Brownback
Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, 2018-2021
Co-Chair of the IRF Summit
Katrina Lantos Swett
President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights
Co-Chair of the IRF Summit
James Lankford (OK)
Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Honorary Senate Co-Chair of the IRF Summit 2024
Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
Member, Foreign Relations CommitteeMember, Foreign Relations Committee
Honorary Senate Co-Chair of the IRF Summit 2024
Young Kim (CA-40)
Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee
Honorary Congressional Co-Chair of the IRF Summit 2024
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25)
Member, House Committee on Appropriations
Honorary Congressional Co-Chair of the IRF Summit 2024
Staff
Peter Burns
Executive Director, IRF Summit
Manus Churchill
Deputy Director, IRF Summit
