More people than ever now live in countries and regions where their most fundamental conscience rights are restricted, repressed, and threatened.
Leaders from different faiths and countries recently met in Washington to strengthen the movement to defend Religious Freedom and belief. This report is provided by the Christian Daily International.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Script: 2026 International Religious Freedom Summit
Reporter: Timothy Goropevsek, Christian Daily International
2026-03-12
INTRO: More people than ever now live in countries and regions where their most fundamental conscience rights are restricted, repressed, and threatened. Leaders from different faiths and countries recently met in Washington to strengthen the movement to defend Religious Freedom and belief. This report is provided by the Christian Daily International.
VO: In the beginning of February, global leaders, policy makers, faith advocates, and survivors of persecution gathered in Washington DC for the sixth annual International Religious Freedom Summit. Opening the summit co-chair Katrina Lantos Swett described a moment of deep contrast for the global religious freedom movement.
Katrina Lantos Swett, IRF Co-Chair: In many ways, the movement to advance freedom of religion and belief for everyone everywhere has never been stronger. But sadly, more people than ever now live in countries and regions where their most fundamental conscience rights are restricted, repressed, and threatened.
VO: Her co-chair, former US Ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, warned that authoritarian governments increasingly see religious believers as a threat to state control.
Sam Brownback: An axis of communist, authoritarian, and totalitarian regimes attack this right. As a threat to their control
VO: Beyond policy discussions, the summit placed human stories at the center. None more personal than the testimony of Grace Jane Drexel, whose father a pastor in China remains imprisoned for leading an independent church.
Grace Jane Drexel, Persecution Survivor: I have not seen my beloved father in person in seven years. He was not there at my wedding to walk me down the aisle, and he has never met his grandchildren.
VO: As the summit closed, Ambassador Brownbeck returned to a central theme. That lasting change does not begin with massive crowds, but with committed individuals willing to act.
Sam Brownback: Big movements are led by a small group of people. It’s a small group that will energize and move millions of people around the world. And you are that small group
VO: Organizers say the International News Freedom Summit is not just a conference. It is a catalyst aimed at turning awareness into action for millions facing persecution worldwide.
For Christian Daily International, I’m Timothy Goropevsek.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Included in script
Recording Location
Washington, D.C.
Organization featured in this Story
International Religious Freedom Summit, https://irfsummit.org/
Reporter/Producer for the story
Timothy Goropevsek
Story Provider/Contact
Timothy Goropevsek, Executive Editor, the Christian Daily International, timothy.g@christiandaily.com
Producing Organization
Christian Daily International, https://www.christiandaily.com/
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