Finland Times

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will organise a seminar on Religious Freedom – Protecting Religious Minorities at the House of the Estates on Saturday.

The seminar will be held in cooperation with Finn Church Aid, the Finnish Ecumenical Council, and the Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, said an official press release.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will inaugurate the seminar where  Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace will present the key-note paper.

Archbishop Kari Mäkinen will respond to his address. The panel discussion will be chaired by Pekka Haavisto, the Foreign Minister's Special Representative for Mediation.

The question of minority religions and the right to practice one's own religion have been raised to discussion both in Finland and internationally.

A number of declarations related to freedom of religion and conviction have been made in recent years.

The seminar aims to increase awareness of the promotion and protection of the freedom of religion or conviction.

Additionally, the purpose is to deal with the freedom of religion and conviction from the point of view of peace and security and to place the international discussion on the theme in a Finnish context. The role of religions and faith-based actors in peace-building and the prevention of violent extremism serves as the framework of the seminar.