From state houses and houses of worship to social media and the United States Supreme Court, discussions surrounding religious freedom are popping up everywhere. In an effort to continue a productive dialogue on this topic, the BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies is inviting the public to a conference next week focused on the current state of religious freedom and what can be done to ensure fairness for all.

The three-day Religious Freedom Annual Review: ‘Fairness for All’ conference will bring together experts in law, government and public affairs to discuss these important issues. Workshop topics include cultural and political trends, religious issues in public schools and the use of social media in promoting religious freedom.

Speakers include: 

  • Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert
  • Utah Senator J. Stuart Adams
  • W. Cole Durham, Jr., BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School
  • Robin Fretwell Wilson, University of Illinois College of Law
  • William F. Atkin, Associate General Counsel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Topics Include

  • The Why of Religious Freedom: Key Issues in Their Practical Context
  • Cultural and Political Trends Impacting Religion and Religious Freedom
  • Legal Trends in the U.S. that Impact Religious Liberty: Judicial, Legislative and Executive Developments
  • Effective Interfaith Cooperation on Religious Freedom
  • Working with State and Local Governments on Religious Freedom Issues
  • Religious Freedom Issues in Public Schools
  • The Outlook for Legislation Affecting Religious Freedom
  • Civility in Religious Freedom Advocacy
  • The Religious Freedom Implications of the Supreme Court’s Decision on Same-Sex Marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges
  • Religious Freedom Issues in the Work Place
  • Effective Use of Traditional and Social Media in Promoting Religious Freedom
  • Promoting Religious Freedom through Strengthening Judiciaries Internationally
  • Ethics in Law and Religion Representation

Date: Monday-Wednesday, July 6-8

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: BYU Conference Center (770 E. University Pkwy, Provo)

Media Passes and Interviews: Journalists wanting to attend the conference should contact Emily Hellewell, em*************@by*.edu, 801.422.4377 (o), 202.302.3825 (c), to be added to the press list or schedule interviews.

Registration: 

  • Online: https://ce.byu.edu/cw/iclrs/ (Online registration closes on July 8)
  • By Phone: Call 801.427.8925, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weekdays

Cost (includes lunch and snacks):

  • General Public, One Day: $39
  • General Public, Full Conference: $99
  • Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit, One Day: $69
  • CLE Credit, Full Conference (18 credits available): $199
  • Current BYU Law School Students: paid for by BYU
  • BYU Students One Day: $25
  • BYU Students Full Registration: $69