Media Center

Press Advisory


OAS Round Table to Analyze the Relationship between Religious Communities and Governments in Latin America and the Caribbean

  December 2, 2011

Religious leaders from throughout the hemisphere will meet at the XXXVI OAS Policy Round Table on Monday, December 5, at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT) at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC, to present their perspectives on the theme: "Dialogue between Religious Communities and States in Latin America and the Caribbean."

The discussion will present members of the Latin American and Caribbean Council of Religious Leaders. The first panel, to focus on "Religious Freedom and Non-Discrimination," will feature the Archbishop of Monterrey, Mexico, Cardinal Francisco Robles; the Secretary General of the Islamic Organization for Latin America and the Caribbean (OIPALC), Muhammad Yusuf Hallar; and the Executive Director of the Latin American Jewish Congress (CJL), Claudio Epelman.

The second panel, on "The Contribution of Religious Leaders to the Design of Public Policies," will consist of the President of the American Council of Churches (CLAI), Rev. Fr. Julio Murray; the Coordinator of the Iberoamerican Forum Evangelical Dialogue (FIDE), Rev. Samuel Olson; and the Chief Elder of Continental Council of Indigenous Elders and Spiritual Guides of the Americas and Extraordinary Itinerary Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala, Ajq'ijab Cirilo Perez.

At the end of a question-and-answer session the Secretary General of Religions for Peace International, William Vendley, will offer concluding remarks.

The Roundtable will be transmitted via the OAS Website.


WHAT: XXXVI OAS Policy Round Table: “Dialogue between Religious Communities and States in Latin America and the Caribbean"

WHEN: Monday, December 5, 2011, at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT)

WHERE: Hall of the Americas

Organization of American States (OAS)

17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20006


Reference: AVI-272/11