Incentivizing Freedom: Building a Global Accountability Architecture Through Business, Policy, and Collaborative Reform
Washington DC: Monday, February 2, 2026, 2:00 PM to 2:40 PM EST, Washington DC Hilton Hotel
This high-level IRF Summit panel will dissect the strategies needed to construct a comprehensive and effective global framework for religious freedom accountability. The discussion moves beyond solely punitive measures (such as sanctions) to focus on creating a self-reinforcing cycle of success through collaboration. The core focus is how key sectors—including business, policy, and reform initiatives—can work together to generate concrete solutions. Experts will provide an analysis of how market incentives can be utilized as economic leverage. This includes detailing how businesses and investors can employ tools—such as preferential trade agreements, corporate due diligence standards, investing metrics, and procurement policies—to reward governments and entities that protect religious freedom, and penalize those that violate it. We will also examine mechanisms for international pressure and the amplification of positive policies and successful programs already implemented by national governments. The ultimate goal is to define an accountability architecture driven by market forces and collaborative policy, creating actionable, evidence-based frameworks that align global pressure with local positive change and ensure tangible successes for religious freedom worldwide.
Confirmed Speakers & Moderator
Brian Grim (President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation) Dr. Grim is a leading expert on the socio-economic benefits of religious freedom, specializing in how faith-friendly workplaces and religious diversity drive global economic growth. His research provides a unique data-driven perspective on why protecting religious liberty is a critical interest for the international business community.
Yusuf Khaled (Third Secretary, Embassy of Bahrain) Mr. Khaled offers insight into the Kingdom of Bahrain’s regional leadership in promoting interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence through initiatives like the “King Hamad Global Centre.” His perspective is vital for understanding the role of diplomatic engagement and national frameworks in fostering religious pluralism within the Middle East.
Brett Scharffs (Director, International Center for Law and Religion Studies) — Moderator Professor Scharffs is a distinguished legal scholar who has dedicated his career to the comparative study of law and religion, with a focus on protecting freedom of conscience in diverse constitutional frameworks. He brings extensive experience in international diplomacy and legal education, making him an expert at navigating the complex intersection of human rights and state policy.