The Seventh World Congress of the International Religious Liberty Association was held 24-26 April 2012 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with more than 800 international guests in attendance. Chartered in 1893, the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) is the oldest association dedicated to freedom of conscience for all people. It has national associations in 80 countries. Thirteen regional chapters cover the whole surface of the globe with correspondents in 200 countries.  In 2003, the IRLA was recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council and given the status of United Nations Non-Governmental Organization Category II. It is represented in New York and Geneva and takes part in the Human Rights Council meetings every year.

A primary aspect of the IRLA’s work is to ensure that religious freedom has the highest possible visibility on the world scene.  To that end, its hold congresses, regional conferences, national symposiums, and local meetings—all aimed at making sure issues of religious freedom remain high on society’s agenda.  For despite the importance of international covenants and national legislation, without public support for religious freedom, any gains remain at the level of theory rather than practice.

Among the topics addressed by international experts at the 7th World Congress:

• Who’s Who at the 7th World Congress. 
• A ‘United Nations in the Caribbean’ as delegates arrive for 7th World Congress. – John Graz
• First-day reflections: Why are we here? – Nigel Coke
• Historic 7th World Congress calls for recognition of religious freedom as “basic to all human rights.” – Dominican Republic President Denton Lotz
• ‘Respect for diversity can strengthen unity,’ Cuban official tells World Congress. – Sonia Garcia
• A ‘watered-down’ religion isn’t a requirement for religious freedom. – Robert A. Seiple
• Religious liberty protection comes from grass roots, experts say.
• Mexican official affirms work of International Religious Liberty Association. – Paulo Tort Ortega
• Blasphemy laws continuing cause for concern in Pakistan – Shaherya Gill
• International Court judge seeks healing, justice. – Daniel Nsereko
• Second-day reflections: Religious freedom? It’s personal. – Knox Thames
• Adventist leader explores clash between secularism and religious belief. – Ted NC Wilson
• ‘There should be no compulsion with regard to faith,’ says leading Muslim human rights advocate. – Amjad B. Shammout
• For women, lack of religious freedom is often just one of many human rights challenges. – Discussion group
• In world fields, religious liberty is often a hard struggle. – Panel
• World Congress reflections: Discrimination and the persecutory impulse. – Attorney Gregory W. Hamilton
• ‘The end of the 7th World congress is really a beginning,’ says IRLA president. – by Bettina Krause
• Baptist leader foresees growing tension between religious liberty and secularism. – Rev. Neville Callam
• Leader of Global Christian Forum draws lesson from story of Anabaptist martyr. – Dr. Larry Miller
• Leading Colombian politician challenges Congress attendees to ‘unite for freedom’. – Senator Charles Schultz
• Dominican Republic Secretary of State thanks IRLA for its global efforts to promote religious freedom. – César Pina Toribio
• Laws don’t always tell the full story when it comes to religious freedom. – by William Johnsson
• IRLA leaders report on human cost of religious intolerance in Nigeria and North Korea. – by Bettina Krause
• Final-day reflection: A Call to Speak Out. – by William Johnsson
• Resolutions of the Seventh World Congress for Religious Freedom