Show Notes: Special Edition of LYNC RADIO: The Berlin Civil Society Program (Part 1)

Welcome to a special edition of LYNC Radio, where we explore the Berlin Civil Society Program, co-convened by Love Your Neighbor Community in partnership with the IRF Secretariat and Templeton Religion Trust. This episode covers insights from the opening sessions, including the launch of the new Academic Council and highlights from the Eurasian panel.

1. Berlin Civil Society Program:

• Held at the iconic Adlon Kempinski Hotel, the program brought together global leaders to discuss pressing issues related to religious freedom, social cohesion, and resilience.
• The event was convened by the IRF Secretariat, Templeton Religion Trust, and Love Your Neighbor Community.

2. Launch of the IRF Secretariat's Global Academic Council:

• Co-chaired by Rev. Mae Cannon and Jocelyne Cesari, the council seeks to critically examine terms like violence, security, and extremism in the context of religious freedom.
• Jocelyne Cesari stressed that violence can be structural, embedded in political and social institutions, often leading to violations of religious freedom.
• Contributions from Dr. Pavol Bargár and Dr. Dennis Hoover emphasized the complexity of structural violence and the need for a more nuanced understanding of extremism and religious privilege.

3. Eurasian Panel Highlights:

• Moderated by Wade Kusack, this panel featured key voices from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Moldova, focusing on multi-faith dialogue and collaboration.
• Speakers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Moldova discussed national efforts to promote tolerance, human rights, and religious freedom in their countries.

4. Key Contributions:

• Dr. Karima Almazroui shared her experience developing a curriculum in the UAE, which promotes tolerance and civic responsibility among over 600,000 students annually.
• Elizabeth Prodromou from Boston College highlighted the link between religious freedom and cultural heritage preservation, using Northern Cyprus as an example.
• Ambassador Robert Řehák discussed the impact of religion on political agendas, particularly in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
• Ghanaian MP Godfred Seidu Jasaw emphasized the role of parliamentarians in safeguarding religious freedom and civil liberties.

5. The Role of Religious Leaders:

• Religious leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Moldova shared stories of multi-faith cooperation and friendship, reinforcing the importance of relationships in addressing global challenges and promoting social cohesion.

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• For more information, including access to blogs, radio programs, and video shows, visit lyncommunity.org.
• IRF Secretariat Civil Society Program, Berlin, October 8-10. Visit IRFsecretariat.org for registration details.

[00:00] – Introduction

Host Jessica Eturralde introduces the episode’s key topics, including LYNC’s new media initiative, USCIRF's reauthorization, and upcoming events in Berlin.

[00:25] – New Media Initiative by LYNC

Love Your Neighbor Community launches a media initiative to promote dialogue between individuals of different beliefs. Listeners are encouraged to like, subscribe, and share to help expand these conversations. More details at lyncommunity.org.

[01:15] – USURF Act of 2024 Reauthorization

On September 23rd, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Act of 2024, extending the Commission’s work until 2026. The bipartisan bill addresses rising religious persecution globally, including in countries like China, Iran, and North Korea. Key advocates included Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin, with support from USCIRF leadership. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature.

[04:00] – Wade Kusack Attends Nantucket Project

LYNC CEO Wade Kusack attended the Nantucket Project, an annual gathering that explores trauma healing, societal divisions, and pluralism. Notable participants included former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, survivors of the Hamas attack, and Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.

[06:15] – Berlin Ministerial and Conference on Extremism and Religious Freedom

LYNC partners with the IRF Secretariat and Templeton Religion Trust to host a two-day civil society conference in Berlin. The event will bring majority world voices into conversations on religious freedom and extremism, aiming to build social cohesion and resilience. View IRF Secretariat's event page here: https://irfsecretariat.org/berlin-program/#

[08:00] – Closing Remarks

For more information, including access to blogs, radio programs, and video shows, visit lyncommunity.org.

[00:00] – Introduction

Host Jessica Eturralde welcomes listeners to LYNC RADIO and announces upcoming topics, including new colleagues at Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC) and celebrations of Uzbekistan's Independence Day.

[00:30] – New Media Initiative

LYNC launches a new media initiative to foster conversations between people of different beliefs. The initiative aims to encourage open dialogue and understanding through shared perspectives. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and share the program to expand conversations around social cohesion. Visit lyncommunity.org for more information.

[01:20] – Introducing New Senior Fellows

LYNC welcomes two new senior fellows:

• Dr. Chris Seiple, head of the Sagestone Group, brings over 30 years of experience in building social cohesion. He has worked with organizations like Templeton Religion Trust and the World Economic Forum, and has contributed extensively to U.S. government religious policy.
• Dr. Dennis Hoover, editor-in-chief of the Review of Faith & International Affairs, is an expert in faith and global affairs. His recent works focus on religious diversity and covenantal pluralism in Asia.

[03:00] – Contributions of New Fellows

Both Dr. Seiple and Dr. Hoover will contribute to LYNC’s blogs and interviews. Dr. Seiple’s latest blog, In the Beginning, addresses human rights, religious violence, and conflict resolution through the lens of Genesis.

LYNC Senior Fellow Dennis R. Hoover recently published an essay at Portico titled, “Knowledge About Religions is Good—But Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy is Better.” The essay elaborates on cross-cultural religious literacy, abridged from his address at a conference in Georgia.

[04:00] – New Team Members

LYNC also welcomes:

• Halina Kusack as Administration Director
• Carter Brown as Project Manager for the Covenantal Pluralism Initiative in South Florida.

[04:30] – Uzbekistan’s Independence Day Celebration

Halina Kusack attended Uzbekistan’s Independence Day celebration in Washington, D.C., marking the country’s freedom from the Soviet Union in 1991. The event featured traditional music, dance, and cuisine, offering an opportunity for diplomats and officials to celebrate Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage and achievements.

[06:10] – Conclusion

Listeners are encouraged to visit lyncommunity.org and explore more programs under the Media tab.

Visit: lyncommunity.org for more information and updates from Love Your Neighbor Community.