Freedom for the Nations 2011
CSW's conference gathers hundreds in prayer and action!

CSW's annual conference brought together religious freedom experts, international leaders and hundreds of activists in London. Themed 'Freedom for the Nations', the line-up of speakers, films, prayer and worship generated further passion to combat religious persecution in our lifetime.

Starting with a video message recorded especially for CSW by pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, activists also heard from several experts including Tina Ramirez from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. She gave a highly-informative overview on trends of religious persecution across the world.

Conference talks available below...

Rt Rev Benjamin Kwashi: Religious persecution in Nigeria (part 1 of 2)

Rt Rev Benjamin Kwashi: Religious persecution in Nigeria (part 2 of 2)

A message from Aung San Suu Kyi

Tina Ramirez: Trends in religious persecution - part 1 of 2

-

Tina Ramirez: Trends in religious persecution - part 2 of 2

Egypt Q&A with Bishop Angaelos and Mervyn Thomas

The Lamelas family: A story of hope from Cuba

Following Shin

More about our inspirational speakers:

Rt Rev Dr Benjamin Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria
Archbishop Kwashi will share how he and his family have dealt with the personal cost of living amidst the almost daily violence in and around Jos, Nigeria and have faced brutal attacks on their family in their own home.

You won’t want to miss hearing from this hero of faith, who reflecting on the brutal attacks on his family, saying, “I am continuing on with my work, as I have decided that preaching the gospel is worth living for and it is worth dying for”.

Tina Ramirez, The Becket Fund
Tina will bring us the latest on persecution trends around the world today. Tina is the Director of International and Government Relations at the Becket Fund and has travelled extensively to countries where religious freedom is restricted. Tina has fought for religious freedom and human dignity in virtually every political arena around the world!

Group Captain (retired) Cecil Chaudhry, Pakistan

With Pakistan facing challenges on every side, Cecil Chaudhry will tell us in a recorded message what it’s like to live as a religious minority in Pakistan today, sharing his reflections on the past year and hopes for the nation.

Cecil is a decorated war hero, but left his career in the air force when it became clear that there were limits being placed on the promotion of non-Muslims. As well as being mentor to Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, who was assassinated in March, he has given his life to pursuing human rights, justice and equality

Reverend Carlos Lamelas, Cuba
Celebrate with us as we hear a message from Carlos Lamelas, who has recently been granted asylum in the USA after being imprisoned in Cuba. After his release, the targeting didn’t stop - he was forbidden from preaching and the family’s home was taken.

Reverend Lamelas spent 126 days in a two metre by three metre prison cell, accused of human trafficking but believed to have been targeted because of his calls for increased religious freedom in Cuba. The charges were found to be without grounds.