The Interparliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Religious Freedom (IPC) is a Nobel Peace Prize-nominated program of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy. Founded in 2002, the program draws lawmakers from countries around the world to discuss fundamental rights and religious freedom in the context of pressing policy issues such as public health, counterterrorism and human trafficking.

The IPC’s format allows directly elected legislators to relate to one another about the local challenges and opportunities they share, as well as questions of international and global interest. When they agree, they can take collaborative action through direct parallel legislation, bypassing cumbersome treaty processes. The IPC’s networks across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas allow legislators to collaborate against rising tensions and work toward a world without war, famine and terrorism.

By connecting parliaments, which make up the most democratic elements of governments, instead of foreign ministries, the IPC helps to serve more closely the values, goals and futures of people rather than the abstract interests of states.

At the 2006 IPC session in Rome, participating delegates unanimously agreed in the Concluding Document to establish parliamentary working groups and caucuses in their national parliaments, which directly influence the law-making process. The continued development of the IPC will change the very nature and face of the international system, guaranteeing that those crafting national and international policy are the people’s directly elected representatives.

Human security in the 21st century depends on the motivation and capacity of legislators to accept their responsibility in upholding fundamental rights, fighting corruption, championing disarmament and establishing moral governance. The IPC is playing a pivotal role in securing such legislative attention to the welfare of humankind.

Parliamentarians or legislative authorities of the following nations and territories have participated in sessions of the IPC: