Dublin (Ireland), 22nd–25th June 2025 | OIDEL participated in the fifth annual Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit, held this year in Dublin, Ireland. Under the theme “Political Authority, Civil Society, and Religious Freedom,” the summit brought together more than 100 of the world’s leading defenders of religious liberty, including scholars, religious leaders, and advocates from diverse backgrounds.
Mr. Ignasi Grau Callizo, Director of OIDEL, was invited to speak on the panel titled “Threats to Civil Society – Religious Education”, alongside Professor Michael Helfand (Pepperdine Caruso School of Law) and Sr. Mary Cecilia Draru (African Sisters Education Collaborative). The session was chaired by Professor Nicole Stelle Garnett (Notre Dame Law School), a renowned expert in education law and school choice.
In his remarks, Mr. Grau emphasized the importance of coalition-building and interfaith cooperation in defending the right of parents to choose the kind of education that aligns with their convictions. He stated:
“We need to know who our allies are. Many times, international discussions in groups happen separately. It’s important also to have different religious groups working together. This is not about the right of Catholic schools to exist or the right of Christian schools to exist. It is about the right of parents to choose the education they want for their children.”
The panel addressed growing global challenges to educational pluralism, including legal and political pressures on faith-based schools and the vital role of religious liberty in protecting diverse educational ecosystems.
OIDEL’s presence at the summit reinforces our commitment to defending freedom of education as a fundamental human right and working alongside international partners to ensure the autonomy of families, schools, and civil society in shaping educational models that reflect human dignity and cultural diversity.
To learn more about the summit and the full list of speakers and panels, please visit the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Initiative website.