“Next Gen Perspectives on Freedom of Religion or Belief” is a Human Rights Council 61st session side event organized by the World Evangelical Alliance and co-sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Solidarity International (CSI), Open Doors International (ODI), Stefanus Alliance International, and the Salvation Army.
The event took place on 3rd March 2026, 2PM, at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
Side Event Background
People of different ages and stages of life experience religious persecution differently. This panel includes speakers between the ages of 25 and 35 from three countries where Christians can experience significant obstacles to their right to freedom of religion or belief: Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nigeria. They will speak to how threats of violence impact them in the early stages of their careers and family life. They are all engaged in advocacy work in their countries promoting religious freedom and they will speak to that work.
This event aimed to:
- Identify the particular challenges young adults face with ongoing threats of violence.
- Recognize the important advocacy work of young adults, along with the potential risks they face.
- Recommend concrete actions for the governments to ensure that religious minorities may fully enjoy their right to freedom of religion or belief, including to be protected from violence.
Panelists
- Salome de Silva, Section Head – Legal and Research, National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), Sri Lanka (video presentation).
- Benjamin Daniel, Secretary, Daniel Khokhar Foundation, Pakistan.
- Adeboye Godwin Oriyomi, African Regional Coordinator, Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, Nigeria (video presentation).
Respondent
- Markus Stefan Hofer, Communications and Advocacy Officer,World Evangelical Alliance, Switzerland.
Moderator
- Anna Hill, Advocacy Coach and UN Advocacy Officer, Open Doors International, United Kingdom.
Recording of the Side Event