The ODIHR Greatly Appreciates the Work of the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion Or Belief

Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Reference for the Oslo Coalition

The ODIHR greatly appreciates the work of the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The Oslo Coalition’s methodology of network-building, dialogue and collaboration has been of direct value to the ODIHR, its Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief and their activities. For example, a member of staff and 2 members of the ODIHR’s Panel of Experts attended the “Oslo Global Meeting of Experts on Teaching for Tolerance, Respect and Recognition in relation to Religion or Belief” in September 2004; the contacts that were made there and the discussions that took place had a direct influence on two initiatives:

a)The project “Multicultural Europe – Challenges, Threats and Opportunities for Poland in the XXI Century”, a series of workshops designed for Polish students, teachers, NGO workers, public administration officials and policy makers which aims to train 45 individuals to deal with racial prejudice, islamophobia and antisemitism. The project is taking place in Krakow, Poland from November 2004 – June 2005 and is collaboration between two academic institutions in Krakow (the Centre for European Studies of the Jagiellonian University, and the Institute for Research on Civilisations). The Oslo Global Meeting of Experts led to concrete co-operation between experts from Poland (a member of the ODIHR’s Panel of Experts) and the UK in the context of this project.

b)The conference “Religion, Tolerance and Law in Georgia: International Standards and Domestic Needs” that took place in Tbilisi, Georgia in December 2004; this conference which took place in the context of anticipated draft legislation relating to the registration of religious communities and to religious education, was conceived of at the Oslo Global Meeting of Experts; it brought together leaders of the religious communities in Georgia, politicians and legislators as well as NGO representatives for open dialogue about the situation regarding religious freedom in Georgia and the legal reforms. The conference was co-sponsored by the Oslo Coalition, the ODIHR and the Brigham Young University School of Law and organised by the Georgian NGO “Union 21st Century”.

The way in which the Oslo Coalition brings together experts and the way in which it works on individual projects aimed at dialogue stimulates ideas, discussion and concrete activity that helps to promote freedom of religion or belief and strengthening interfaith dialogue and co-operation, and it also facilitates and informs the ODIHR’s work in this field.

Rebecca Williams
Freedom of Religion or Belief Advisor, ODIHR

Dr Jolanta-Ambrosewicz-Jacobs
Member of ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief;
Centre for European Studies, Faculty of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland