OSCE/ODIHR and Spain host panel discussion on freedom of religion or belief, tolerance and inter-religious dialogue

Challenges and opportunities that an increasing diversity of religions and beliefs pose for public institutions, religious communities, and societies across the OSCE region were the focus of an event, hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Permanent Mission of Spain to the OSCE on 10 May 2016, in Vienna. 

Bringing together international experts, the event explored the issue of managing diversity of religions and beliefs from the perspectives of freedom, tolerance and security. The participants also discussed the importance of inter-religious dialogue and education in efforts to build stable and secure societies.

Cristina Finch, Head of ODIHR’s Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, Nedžad Grabus, Grand Mufti of Slovenia, Marco Ventura, Director of the Centre for Religious Studies of the Bruno Kessler Foundation, and Gunay Rahimova from the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, took part in the panel.

The event was hosted by Ambassador María Victoria Gonzalez Roman, Permanent Representative of Spain to the OSCE, and moderated by Kishan Manocha, ODIHR’s Senior Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Belen Alfaro, Spanish Ambassador at Large for the Alliance of Civilizations and Interreligious Dialogue.

This event builds on the discussions held on similar themes at the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination in Vienna on 14 April and the VII Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Baku from 25 to 27 April.