The G20 Interfaith Forum: Past and Future

JoAnne Wadsworth is Communications Consultant for the G20 Interfaith Association and Acting Editor of the “Viewpoints” blog

The G20 Interfaith Forum took its first breath in a small café next to a synagogue near the bottom of the planet in early 2013. Brisbane, Australia was gearing up to host the following year’s G20 Summit meetings, and Dr. Brian Adams was brainstorming with a colleague, searching for a way for his organization to get involved.

“What about an interfaith forum?” Adams’ Jewish colleague, Ari Heber, asked.

Something clicked, and an idea was born.

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2020 ICLRS Symposium: How Religions and Religious Organizations Contribute to the Common Good

Panelists:

Elizabeth Clark, Moderator

Associate Director at the International Center for Law and Religion Studies, BYU Law School

 Viva Bartkus, Panelist

Associate Professor of Management, Notre Dame University, who researches the social capital of communities that enables collaboration and a leadership approach most effective in solving complex business problems. Professor Bartkus has founded and worked extensively with international humanitarian and business organizations, including serving as one of the first lay members on the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services.

Sharon Eubank, Panelist

President of Latter-Day Saint Charities, the humanitarian cooperative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also serving as the first counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society, the Church’s organization for its 6 million female members ages 18 and over.

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2020 ICLRS Symposium: Brett Scharffs’s Introductory Remarks

Brett G. Scharffs is Director, International Center for Law and Religion Studies and Rex E. Lee Chair and Professor of Law, BYU Law School

I had only been at the law school for three years when the International Center for Law and Religion Studies was founded in January 2000. Care was given to the creation of our mission statement which speaks of helping secure the blessings of freedom of religion and belief for all people in all places in three specific ways: (1) by expanding, deepening, and disseminating knowledge and expertise; (2) by facilitating the growth of networks of scholars, experts, and policymakers; and (3) by contributing to law reform processes. At the heart of any academic center is scholarly work. From 2000 to 2020 the Center and its scholars have produced 243 publications, including books, articles, and book chapters. This is a rate of more than a dozen publications per year.

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