Join Jessica Eturralde as she engages with Nadine Maenza, a leading advocate for religious freedom, in this insightful episode of LYNC INTERVIEW. They explore strategies for advancing religious freedom through advocacy and collaboration, reflect on challenges and triumphs in Uzbekistan, and discuss the global movement for religious liberty.

*0:00* – *Introduction*

Jessica introduces the episode's focus on religious freedom advocacy, relationship-building, and trust.

*0:42* – *Guest Introduction*

Jessica introduces Nadine Maenza, highlighting her leadership roles and extensive on-the-ground experience in advancing international religious freedom.

*1:20* – *Dialogue in Uzbekistan*

Maenza reflects on her assessment (along with other experts invited to visit the country specifically for the delegation) in Uzbekistan in 2024, discussing how advocacy and trust-building created meaningful partnerships with government officials, civil society, and religious leaders.

*5:16* – *Insight into Cooperative Engagement*

Maenza explains the importance of constructive dialogue, tailored recommendations, and collaborative engagement for fostering social cohesion and religious freedom. She shares a personal perspective of addressing sensitive issues with government leaders and the value of balancing public and private advocacy efforts.

*5:45* – *A Case for Advocacy and Relational Diplomacy*

Maenza discusses the importance of fostering cohesive societies and advocating for all religious communities, emphasizing the strength of collective action among minority groups.

*12:00* – *Lessons Learned from Working as USCIRF Chair*

Exploring the complementary roles of advocates raising awareness and builders implementing on-the-ground solutions to advance freedom of religion and belief.

*13:57* – *Call to Action*

Nadine encourages listeners to get involved in the religious freedom movement through advocacy, building, research, and/or amplifying stories of success and persecution.

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*Resources Mentioned:*

• *Report:* Assessment of Religious Freedom in Uzbekistan: Progress and Perspectives – [Read Here]

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, Dr. Eva Witesman from BYU’s Marriott School of Business explores how businesses can transcend profit-driven motives to become active players in fostering social impact, advancing religious freedom, and building resilient communities. She delves into the complexities of business ethics, including the challenges of addressing child labor in global supply chains, highlighting the importance of socially responsible solutions.

Highlights & Timestamps

[00:00 - 01:25] Introduction

Host Jessica Eturralde introduces Dr. Eva Witesman, professor at BYU's Marriott School of Business, and sets the stage for a discussion on how businesses can go beyond profits to foster social impact and religious freedom.

[01:26 - 04:45] Defining Religious Freedom in Business

Dr. Witesman explores how religious freedom intersects with corporate culture, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive workspaces where employees can express their whole selves.

[04:46 - 08:15] The Role of Corporations as Social Actors

Corporations are not just economic entities—they are public and social spaces, says Dr. Witesman. She discusses how businesses can use their influence to promote religious pluralism and shape public discourse.

[08:16 - 13:40] Addressing the Complexities of Child Labor

Dr. Witesman delves into the ethical challenges businesses face in global supply chains, particularly child labor. She explains how simplistic solutions often lead to unintended consequences, such as pushing families into greater vulnerability, and advocates for holistic approaches.

[13:41 - 18:30] Bridging Civil Society and Business for Global Challenges

The conversation shifts to collaboration between businesses, NGOs, and governments. Dr. Witesman underscores the need for intersectoral dialogue to address pressing global issues like religious freedom and social cohesion.

[18:31 - 23:15] Examples of Businesses Driving Positive Change

Dr. Witesman shares real-world examples of corporations that have successfully aligned their operations with moral and ethical values, demonstrating how business ethics can drive peacebuilding and social impact.

[23:16 - 27:45] Markets as Tools for Public Good

The discussion highlights how markets, when designed ethically, can reduce...

The Grand Bargain of Religious Freedom and Religious Responsibility w/Dr. Dennis Hoover

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Dr. Dennis Hoover, Senior Fellow at Love Your Neighbor Community and at the Institute for Global Engagement, and Editor-in-Chief of The Review of Faith & International Affairs.

Dr. Hoover explores themes from his recent speech in Doha, Qatar, titled "The Grand Bargain of Religious Freedom and Religious Responsibility" where he examines the balance between religious freedom and responsibility.

Through a compelling case study on the Mennonite and Amish communities in the U.S., Dr. Hoover discusses how these groups have maintained high levels of religious freedom while upholding social responsibility through law-abiding behavior, economic contributions, and humanitarian work. He highlights the essential “grand bargain” that both governments and religious groups must honor—engaging with mutual respect, making reasonable accommodations, and sharing responsibility for the common good.

Tune in to hear Dr. Hoover’s insights on creating a sustainable environment for religious freedom, the role of governments in protecting minority rights, and the importance of covenantal pluralism in fostering mutual respect and social cohesion.

🔗 Link to Dr. Hoover’s full written article: https://globalengage.org/portico/the-...

🌐 For more information on religious freedom building, visit: lyncommunity.org

Topics Discussed:

_Balancing religious freedom with social responsibility

_Case study: Mennonite and Amish communities

_The role of governments in supporting religious freedom

_The impact of religious repression on society

_How covenantal pluralism supports sustainable freedom

Links:

Read Seiple’s Op Ed: https://religionnews.com/2023/01/25/advocates-and-builders-advancing-religious-freedom-together/

Learn more about the two-day civil society program taking place in Berlin, Germany Oct 8 - 10 in connection with The 2024 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief: https://irfsecretariat.org/berlin-pro...

Guest: Dr. Chris Seiple, Senior Fellow at Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC), Head of Sagestone Group

Introduction: In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde interviews Dr. Chris Seiple, who speaks on the vital connection between religious freedom and national security, focusing on how protecting religious rights can promote peace and mitigate extremism. The conversation concludes with recommendations for the 2024 Ministerial Conference in Berlin.

[MAIN TOPICS]

Religious Freedom and National Security:

Dr. Seiple highlights that religious freedom isn't just a moral imperative but also a practical solution for peace. When people protect those with different beliefs, they ensure mutual security, fostering stability and attracting foreign investment.

Restrictive Policies and Their Consequences:

Policies that repress religious groups, even with good intentions, can fuel extremism. Dr. Seiple explains how blanket repression of entire religious communities often alienates those who could otherwise help prevent radicalization.

Key Concept: Repression leads to resentment, while inclusion fosters peace. Working with religious leaders within communities can counteract extremist narratives.

Role of Religious Leaders in Peacebuilding:

Religious leaders are often trusted more than politicians in many societies. However, they must balance maintaining credibility with both their community and the government.

Challenges: Leaders must navigate the pressures from both sides—aligning with the government may weaken their trust with the public, while appearing to side with extremists can make them a government target.

The Importance of Building Trust:

Dr. Seiple shares examples from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where LYNC has brought religious leaders and government officials together through cross-cultural religious literacy programs. These efforts foster dialogue, trust, and practical actions to address grievances and prevent extremism.

Key Concept: “Talk, trust, and tangible actions” form the process that moves from self-interest to lasting peace.

Complexity of Mitigating Extremism Locally:

Dr. Seiple underscores that preventing extremism on the ground can be as complex as maintaining relationships in a marriage or family. Understanding people’s diverse perspectives requires patience and active effort.

Key Concept: "Mirror imaging" is a natural human tendency—projecting our own thoughts and values onto others. This is why it’s vital to engage communities in their own language and context, loving them as "neighbors" in a way that makes sense to them.

The Power of Trust:

In these complex dynamics, trust plays a pivotal role. Local religious leaders may not fully trust each other, but they trust the outsiders who facilitate dialogue.

Key Concept: It’s about...

Host: Jessica Eturralde, Communications Director at LYNC

Guest: Wade Kusack, Founder & CEO of Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC)

In this episode, Jessica Eturralde interviews Wade Kusack about the importance of international religious freedom and why it's not just an idealistic pursuit, but a matter of self-interest for all. Together, they discuss the role of religious freedom in global security, democracy, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

Key Points:

[01:35] – Why International Religious Freedom Matters

Wade explains that promoting religious freedom globally is in everyone's best interest, as it creates more stable, peaceful societies, which benefits not only the people in those societies but also contributes to global safety.

[03:50] – Religious Freedom and U.S. Leadership

Religious freedom is not only a moral principle but also a cornerstone of democracy. Wade highlights how U.S. leadership in religious freedom strengthens global alliances and promotes stable democratic governments worldwide.

[06:15] – Religious Persecution and National Security

Wade addresses how religious freedom helps reduce extremism and contributes to national security by weakening the conditions that lead to radicalization.

[08:10] – Economic Benefits of Religious Freedom

Countries that uphold religious freedom create open, inclusive environments conducive to economic growth and foreign investment. Wade discusses how religious freedom supports stable markets, benefiting U.S. businesses and global trade.

[12:00] – Diplomatic Ties and Cultural Exchange

Promoting religious freedom strengthens diplomatic relationships and fosters greater global understanding through cultural exchange, ultimately benefiting international relations.

[14:45] – Learning from Global Experiences

Wade explains how efforts in promoting religious freedom abroad, such as LYNC's work in Central Asia, also teach valuable lessons that can strengthen the U.S.'s own approach to religious tolerance.

Conclusion:

Wade recaps that supporting international religious freedom is not just about standing up for principles—it protects national security, strengthens economies, builds global relationships, and fosters a more inclusive world.

Call to Action:

For more information on LYNC’s work and resources related to religious freedom building, visit lyncommunity.org.