Our Mission

The mission of the Council for America's First Freedom is to increase understanding and respect for religious freedom in diverse communities worldwide, through education about this core human value: the freedom of thought, conscience and belief.

2007 / 2008 Winners Announced

Footprints of Religious Freedom -

A Teacher's Institute

Coming - A look at the record of US international religious freedom policy since the 1998 passing of the International Religious Freedom Act, in the June edition of The Review of Faith and International Affairs.

CFIA Event - US International Religious Freedom Policy: Assessing Results

ABOUT THE SERIES:

In October 1998 Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). The IRFA mandated the promotion of religious liberty around the world as a central element of American foreign policy. In 2008 three symposia at Georgetown examine the origins (February 25), performance (April 21) and promise (October 10) of IRF policy. Experts from across the spectrum of American public life—scholars, policymakers, experts and journalists—as well as informed officials and observers from around the globe, will analyze policy. The October symposium, building on the earlier two, presents recommendations for the new administration.

2008 First Freedom Awards Dinner

The 14th annual gala to honor champions of religious freedom was held on January 16 (National Religious Freedom Day) at the Jefferson Hotel.  The spirit of friendship was wonderfully evident. 

Chief Red Hawk set a humorous yet thoughtful tone for the evening, with an invocation to include all.  Click Bios to see this year's award winners.

2008 First Freedom Awards Gala to honor three distinguished champions of religious freedom - January 16

Channel 12 News Report by Gene Lepley: Faces of Religious Freedom Exhibit

Educational Programs
On March 6, 2008 the Council partnered with the Miller Center and McNeil Lehrer Productions to host a debate on religion, politics and public policy.  The debate was held at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA.  Debaters included former Senator Richard Santorum, Rabbi David Saperstein, Barry Lynn and Jacques Berlinerblau, professor at Georgetown University.

The 2007/2008 Student Competition is in the final judging stages.  essay entries topped 2,500.  This cycle's question required students to research and write about the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.

Close to 7,000 DVD packages of "The Constitution & Religion in the Classroom" have been mailed out across the country.  The packages is the result of our "Framing the Debates," during which ten topics, from religion in public schools to promotion of religious freedom abroad, were debated at law schools across the country.  Debates featured two experts from opposing sides of the debate topics, Kevin "Seamus" Hasson, President of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and Jeremy Gunn, Director, Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, ACLU Foundation. For more information, please go to: Lectures and Presentations.  Also, please see above for how to order the DVD and teacher's manual.

Please go to Lectures and Presentations under Education Programs for more program news.

In-house Events
In September 2007 the Council hosted the annual conference of the International Religious Liberty Association's Panel of Experts.  Individuals from all over the world, who for years have worked the issue of religious freedom, convened to discuss, "The Role of Reconciliation in Sustaining Religiuos Freedom." 

Also in September, the Council officially opened its first exhibit, "Faces of Religious Freedom," honoring its benefactor, James Ukrop. 

Council Offices Move to Main St.
Since the Council's move to 1321 E. Main Street in September of 2006, space has allowed for the construction of exhibits and larger groups of visitors for meetings and educational events.  Renovations of of the historic properties at the corner of 14th and E. Main Streets began in November 2004 with the shoring up of half a block of long-vacant and dilapidated buildings, followed by months of careful restoration. We inhabit the ground-level store-fronts which face Main Street, and the rest of the property is apartments, which are managed by Main Street Realty. Please call if you’d like a tour of our new space!