Religious freedom is not just an individual right.It is the foundation of inclusive, prosperous and peaceful societies. This is the strong message that emerged from the round table “The societal value of religious freedom: an integral human development approach”, promoted by the Sovereign Order of Malta together with the Atlantic Council, which yesterday gathered academics, religious and diplomatic representatives at the Magistral Villa on the Aventine Hill to explore the link between religious freedom and sustainable development.

“Religious freedom is the seed of peace and the soul of development. Where it is respected, societies thrive; where it is denied, conflict arises”, declared the Order of Malta’s Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, opening the meeting. “It is not only merely the right to worship,” he added, “but to belong, to speak, to serve, and to hope. This is why the Order of Malta does not merely advocate for religious freedom—it practices it, every day, in the most challenging and diverse contexts, without distinction of creed”.

In his opening remarks, Joseph Lemoine, director of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Centre, thanked participants and outlined the steps that led to the writing of the Changing the Conversation About Religious Freedom report. It highlights how restrictions on religious freedom have a tangible impact on access to health care, education, food, essential services and decent work, thus hindering the full development of communities.

Moderated by Fabio Petito, Professor of Religion and International Affairs at the University of Sussex, present at the round table was Daniel Pacho, Undersecretary for the Multilateral Sector of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, who pointed out that “Integral human development offers a framework for promoting freedom of religion and belief, while addressing the interconnected challenges of poverty, discrimination, conflict and environmental degradation, which often compromise their effective protection”.

Also at the round table was Sir Malcolm Evans, Dean of Regent’s Park College, Oxford University; Mohammed Elsanousi, Commissioner on USCIRF – the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom – and Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers; Rita Moussalem, Director of the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue of the Focolare Movement; Adam Seligman, Professor of Religion at Boston University and founder of CEDAR – Communities Engaging with Difference and Religion. The proceedings were closed by Scott Appleby, Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Global Affairs and founding Principal of the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame.