Host: Jessica Eturralde, Communications Director at Love Your Neighbor Community

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

In this episode of LYNC Radio, Jessica Eturralde takes listeners on a journey with Wade Kusack as he explores the evolving landscape of religious freedom in Central Asia. From interfaith dialogues in Uzbekistan to multi-faith clubs in Kazakhstan, this episode highlights the global push for building bridges across religious divides.

Key Segments:

[00:35] – New Media Initiative: Encouraging Conversations Across Beliefs

Jessica opens with a call to action, introducing LYNC's new media initiative designed to foster conversations between people of different faiths. By broadening discussions on religious freedom, LYNC hopes to encourage mutual understanding. Listeners are invited to engage by liking, subscribing, and sharing these conversations with others.

[02:10] – Dialogue of Declarations II in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Wade Kusack recaps his visit to Tashkent for the second Dialogue of Declarations, building upon the work started in Bukhara in 2022. This important gathering saw the continued implementation of human rights provisions from the Bukhara Declaration, named after the historic city where the first dialogue took place.

[04:20] – Multi-Faith Clubs in Kazakhstan

After Tashkent, Wade headed to Kazakhstan, partnering with Greg Mitchell, CEO of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat. Together, they hosted Religious Freedom Roundtables in cities like Almaty, Shu, and Shymkent. These roundtables aim to foster peace by establishing Multi-Faith Clubs, localized adaptations of the U.S. roundtable model.

[06:10] – Strengthening U.S.-Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Partnerships

At a pivotal meeting hosted by the Nazarbayev Center, Wade, Greg Mitchell, and LYNC’s Kazakhstan representative Arman Arimbaev reinforced Kazakhstan’s commitment to working with U.S. NGOs. They agreed to co-host future events focused on promoting religious freedom and dialogue.

[08:05] – LYNC Hits the Streets: U.S. Public Opinion on Religious Dialogue

In July, LYNC correspondents took to the streets across the U.S. to ask people a simple but revealing question: “When was the last time you spoke to someone with different religious beliefs?” This segment sheds light on how everyday conversations can lead to a broader societal understanding of religious diversity.

[10:15] – Get Involved with LYNC

Jessica wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to visit LYNCcommunity.org for more information on the events and initiatives discussed. She highlights the upcoming programs and updates designed to expand conversations on religious freedom and cooperation across belief systems.

Conclusion:

This episode of LYNC Radio showcases Love Your Neighbor Community's ongoing efforts to promote religious freedom, both globally and locally. From interfaith declarations in Uzbekistan to fostering grassroots conversations in American streets, LYNC continues to work toward a more inclusive world.

Call to Action:

Visit LYNCcommunity.org for more details on these stories and how to support or get involved. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!