In a poignant celebration of human rights and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Campus Adventiste du Saleve in Collonges, France, hosted a remarkable Human Rights Weekend event. The event spanned over two days, drawing attention to the significance of freedom and the pivotal role it plays in fostering goodwill and understanding, particularly through the lens of religious liberty.
The weekend commenced with a thought-provoking sermon delivered on Sabbath morning by Ganoune Diop, the director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Diop explored the theme of freedom as a foundational and paramount principle of God's love, as expressed in the Bible. His message resonated with attendees, emphasizing the interconnectedness of freedom and love, faith and human rights.
Special morning program:
The afternoon saw an insightful conference centered around the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, bringing together participants to discuss the memory of the Declaration on Human Rights and the current state of human rights globally, especially religious freedom. The discourse touched on pressing issues, challenges, and the ongoing work to ensure the protection of the fundamental right of religious liberty for all individuals.
Afternoon Program:
As the sun set, the campus came alive with an award ceremony recognizing individuals and programs that have made significant contributions to the advancement of religious liberty.
Viorel Dima was celebrated for his outstanding work in Romania as a champion of religious liberty, receiving the Award of Excellence from the Centre International pour la Liberté Religieuse et les Affaires Publiques (CILRAP). The Hope Medal was bestowed upon young law professor Ivan dos Santos for his contributions to CILRAP, highlighting his dedication to the organization of its events.
The Beach International Award was presented to former AIDLR Secretary General Maurice Verfaillie, recognizing his tireless efforts in promoting and defending religious liberty, both as EUD PARL Department and AIDLR Secretary General. Additionally, a posthumous honor was conferred upon Pièrre Lanarés, commemorating his legacy with the Memorial Award for his unwavering commitment to religious liberty and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The following day, the event continued with the traditional 4th March for Human Rights, symbolizing a collective stride towards the respect of human dignity and freedom. Starting at the Church La Madeleine in Geneva, the march culminated at the Campus Adventiste du Saleve, symbolizing the unity and commitment of individuals from different backgrounds and faiths in upholding human rights.
The culmination of the weekend took the form of a concert for human rights at the Campus, celebrating the power of music and the arts as mediums for understanding peace. The atmosphere was charged with positivity and solidarity, showcasing the shared commitment to creating a world where human rights are respected and protected.
This year's Human Rights Weekend at Collonges was made possible through the collaboration and support of the Centre International pour la Liberté Religieuse et les Affaires Publiques (CILRAP), the Campus Adventiste du Saleve, and the Association International pour la Défense de la Liberté Religieuse (AIDLR), represented respectively by John Graz, Jean-Phillip Lehman, and Paulo Macedo.
The event was attended by UN officers, leaders from the Inter-European Division, representatives from AIDLR national chapters, representatives from the Franco-Belgian Union and the French-Swiss Conference, and participants from the community, highlighting the widespread commitment to religious liberty principles and its advocacy.
Mário Brito, president of the Inter-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and AIDLR, expressed his appreciation for the event.
“I am particularly happy to be here today,” Brito stated. “And the reason for my satisfaction is to see how it is possible for us to unite for noble causes. We are gathered here from different backgrounds, with different responsibilities and roles, representing various institutions and organizations. But fundamentally, with the singular agenda of our common belief in freedom, with the unique function of ensuring it, with the singular representation of our willingness to tread the common path of its defense.”
As the weekend came to a close, organizers announced that the next special Human Rights Weekend at Collonges is scheduled for 2025. The anticipation for the future gatherings underscores the enduring importance of fostering freedom, dialogue, understanding, and cooperation to build a society where religious liberty and fundamental human rights are truly universal and upheld by all.
