Aung San Suu Kyi to address annual conference

Media invite: Saturday 26 November 2011, 11am-4pm,

Emmanuel Centre, 9 – 23 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 3DW

Register online

As a new report by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Lifefinds that a third of the world’s population lives in countries where restrictions on religious freedom are increasing, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is bringing together Christian leaders, activists and religious liberty experts from around the world for its annual one-day conference, “Freedom for the Nations”, at the Emmanuel Centre in London.

The conference will open with an inspiring message recorded for CSW by Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, before leaders and activists share their testimonies and insights into the situation for faith communities worldwide.

Delegates will be addressed by:

• Alistair Burt MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• Tina Ramirez, Director of International and Government Relations at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
• His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom (UK).
• Baroness Berridge of the Vale of Catmose in the County of Rutland.
• Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, Anglican Archbishop of Jos.
• Reverend Carlos Lamelas, who was granted asylum in the US this year after spending 126 days in jail in Cuba.
• Group Captain (retired) Cecil Chaudhry, Pakistan.
• Sam Yeghnazar, Director of Elam Ministries, who will focus on the pressures faced by Christians in Iran.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “CSW’s annual conference is an ideal opportunity to hear about the situation for Christian communities and those of other faiths, who are under pressure around the world, and about CSW’s advocacy work to amplify their voices in the international arena, including at the UN, the EU and US Congress. The insights and experiences of our guest speakers will inform and inspire us to renew our efforts in working for religious freedom for all. The conference promises to be a moving and informative day.”

Press are advised to register in advance. For further information about the day please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Notes to Editors:

1. Event details: Saturday 26 November, 11am-4pm at Emmanuel Centre, 9 – 23 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 3DW. You can register online here.

2. Twitter: #fftn2011

3. Rising Restrictions on Religion, a report by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, published 9 August 2-11.

4. Stuart Windsor, CSW’s Special Ambassador, will be signing copies of his bestselling memoir, God’s Adventurer, which chronicles his life and work with CSW, serving the persecuted Church around the world.

5. Benedict Rogers, CSW’s East Asia Team Leader, will be signing copies of The Very Stones Cry Out, which he co-authored with Baroness Caroline Cox, and which focuses on continuing attacks on Christian communities around the world today.