October 27-28, 2022
National Press Club, Washington DC
Theme: Building IRF Movements in the MENA Region and Beyond
Vision
The IRF Forum is an inclusive training event where leaders will come away equipped with a tool kit of options to help advance gender equality, peace building and religious freedom in the Middle East and beyond. We aim to build on the momentum generated at high-level events including the IRF Summit 2022 and the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom (2018, 2019 in DC, 2022 in London). The situation on the ground has shown a strong need for an Action Plan involving multi-faith solutions to help equip, educate and empower International Religious Freedom advocates for the Middle East and surrounding region.
Countries Represented
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Turkey
- Syria
- Lebanon
- and others.
Objectives
- Build trust and relationships
- Explore trends, challenges and opportunities
- Share practical tools and resources
- Highlight the power of media and tech
- Identify IRF Champions
- Foster IRF movements for the MENA region.
The forum will offer a film festival, subject matter experts, strategy workshops, practical tools and working groups focused on building social movements of inclusive citizenship. Our vision is to develop a multi-faith network for the MENA region, highlighting the inclusion of women and minorities. Using the power of media, tech and innovation, we aim to foster thriving workplaces and societies. We intend to host a similar event in the MENA region in 2024.
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EVENT SPONSORS
PHOTOS
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PRESENTERS
Nadine Maenza IRF Secretariat
Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi Peacemakers Network
Katrina Lantos Swett Lantos Foundation
Elizabeth Miller Open Doors
Anila Ali American Muslims and Multi-faith Women’s Empowerment Council
Shirin Taber Empower Women Media
Soraya Deen Muslim Women Speakers
Mansour Borji Article 18
Cemre Ulker Journalist and Writers Foundation
Martine Miller International Center for Religion and Diplomacy
Tina Ramirez Hardwired
Jeremy Barker Religious Freedom Institute
Rachel Wolbers Oversight Board Facebook and Instagram
Charmaine Hedding Shai Fund
Zainab Al-Suwaji American Islamic Congress
Ayman Abdel Nour Syrian Christians for Dialogue
Dr. Lindsay Benstead Wilson Center Fellow
Nazanin Ansari BBC Journalist
Lauren Homer Law and Liberty International
Kathleen Cooke Influence Lab
SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 27
| 9:00 | Registration |
| 9:30 | Welcome and Introductions |
| 9:45 | Nadine Maenza (IRF Secretariat): |
Geo-Political Trends | |
| 10:00 | Katrina Lantos Swett (Lantos Foundation): |
The Power of Storytelling | |
| 10:15 | Film Festival (Part 1) |
| 10:50 | Panel: Women Filmmakers |
| 11:00 | Break |
| 11:15 | Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi (Peacemakers Network): |
Intra-Religious Freedom | |
| 11:30 | Dr. Lindsay Benstead (Wilson Center Fellow): |
Building Social Movements for Religious Freedom | |
| 11:50 | Panel: Creative Tactics |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 1:10 | Workshops |
IRF and Gender Equality | |
IRF Tools and Strategies | |
Developing IRF Media Advocates | |
| 2:10 | Workshops |
Digital Rights and Countering Bias | |
Hosting IRF Exchanges and Delegations | |
Case Study: Syria | |
| 3:00 | Break (Coffee) |
| 3:15 | Working Groups: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Pakistan |
| 4:30 | Announcements and Group Photos |
| 5:00 | Close of First Training Day |
| 6:00 | Optional Dinner in Working Groups |
Friday, October 28
| 9:30 | Welcome Back and Announcements |
| 9:40 | Interview: |
Geo-Political Trends (Part 2) | |
| 9:55 | Live Poem: My Faith, My Choice |
| 10:00 | Charmaine Hedding (Shai Fund): |
Mobilizing Women Advocates | |
| 10:15 | Film Festival (Part 2) |
| 10:35 | Panel: Women Filmmakers |
| 10:50 | Break |
| 11:00 | Training Workshop: Live What You Believe |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 1:10 | Workshops |
Women and FoRB | |
IRF Tools and Strategies | |
Case Study: Pakistan | |
| 2:05 | Workshops |
Engaging Business Leaders and Stakeholders | |
Case Study: Iran/Afghanistan | |
Case Study: Turkey | |
| 3:00 | Break (Coffee) |
| 3:15 | Working Groups: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey… |
| 4:30 | Working Group Summaries |
| 4:50 | Nadine Maenza (IRF Secretariat): |
| Call to Action | |
| 5:00 | Close |
PARTNERS
In partnership with… Empower Women Media, American Muslim and Multi-faith Women’s Empowerment Council, Lantos Foundation, Open Doors, Hardwired, International Commission for Religion and Diplomacy, Rumi Forum, Syrian Christians for Dialogue, Religious Freedom Institute, Article 18, Peacemakers Network, Oversight Board, IRF Round Table, Middle East Working Group American Islamic Council, ICAN, FoRB Learning Platform, Stefanus Alliance, Jubilee Campaign and others.
2022 IRF Forum Voice of America News Report
CONTACT
For questions, contact Shirin Taber at shirin@empowerwomen.media
