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Top Speakers Confirmed for 7th IRLA World Congress


Ambassador Robert Seiple, former US Ambassador At Large for Religious Freedom, has been confirmed as one of the 50 presenters at the 7th IRLA World Congress to be held in April 2012. 

Event will feature some 50 scholars, religious leaders, and government officials 

An extraordinary line-up of speakers is coming together for next year’s IRLA World Congress, says Dr. John Graz, Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association. He says the 7th IRLA World Congress, to be held April 24 to 26, 2012, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, will feature an international mix of more than 50 presenters, including renowned scholars, legal experts, authors, religious leaders, and government officials.

“This promises to be both a stimulating and memorable event,” said Graz. “We’ve planned a daily schedule that provides a good balance between plenary and break-out sessions, and we plan to provide simultaneous translation in the official languages of the congress—Spanish, English, French and Portuguese—with translation in additional languages, such as Russian, as needed.”

Graz adds that a number of non governmental organizations from the United States, Russia, Europe, Africa, and South America have also announced their participation in the Congress.

Among the speakers already confirmed are Dr. Neville Callam, Baptist World Alliance Secretary General and leader of 100 million Baptists worldwide, and Ambassador Robert Seiple, former US Ambassador At Large for Religious Freedom and a keynote speaker at two previous IRLA world congresses. Other speakers include: Dr. Richard Foltin, director of National and Legislative Affairs for the American Jewish Committee; Professor Cole Durham, professor of law at Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School; Professors Alberto de la Herra and  Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes, of the Compultense University of Madrid; Professor Nicholas Miller from Andrews University and director of the International Religious Liberty Institute; and Dr. Denton Lotz, current IRLA President and former Baptist World Alliance Secretary General.

Other World Congress speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. On-line registration for the event begins in September.