Dr Brian J. Grim University of Notre Dame Australia School of Law The Pragmatic Case for Freedom of Religion or Belief Religion is growing and will continue to grow globally, with about 9-in-10 people projected to be affiliated with religion in 2030 compared with 8-in-10 in 1970, according to the World Religion Database. At the same time, however, there has been a dramatic rise in the level of religious restrictions and hostilities. For instance, in 2007, fewer than 30% of countries had high restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, but by 2012, this figure increased to 43% according to the Pew Research Center. For the past decade, Dr. Brian Grim has led these ambitious global studies of religion. He will discuss his research that empirically shows that freedom of religion or belief, when protected by governments and respected by citizens, results not only in less conflict and violence but also in better social and economic outcomes, including better lives for women. He will also discuss his new research on how business respect for and encouragement of interfaith understanding pays dividends in peace and stability as well as provides benefits to the bottom line. Brian J. Grim, PhD in Sociology, Penn State. Formerly, directed the Pew Research Center’s cross-national data project. Currently, President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Leading expert on international religious demography and the socio-economic impact of restrictions on religious freedom. Scholar, Georgetown and Boston Universities. TEDx and UNAOC speaker. Author of numerous works including: The Price of Freedom Denied; World Religion Database. Work history includes 20 years living in the former Soviet Union, China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Date: Time: Venue: Thursday 20 November, 2014 5:30pm for 6:00pm start School of Law Moot Court The University of Notre Dame Australia Corner of Shepherd and Rose St, Broadway RSVP - Friday 14 November, 2014 Tel: (02) 8204 4300 or email: [email protected] CRICOS PROVIDER CODE: 01032F - ND0733