BYU-ICLRS Hosts Religious Freedom Forum in Davao, Philippines

Religious leaders, peace advocates and community representatives gathered in Davao City on March 25, 2026, for a forum that emphasized the importance of strong families, religious freedom and interfaith cooperation in sustaining peace in Mindanao.

Co-organized by the Brigham Young University–International Center for Law and Religion Studies, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, and Religions for Peace Philippines, the forum brought together interfaith leaders, local government public servants, representatives of Indigenous communities, and other partners in peacebuilding and interfaith relations.

Elder Erich W. Kopischke, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the event’s keynote speaker. He was joined by his wife, Sister Christiane Kopischke, and Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., Philippines Area President and his wife Sister Marie Revillo.

The forum’s theme, “Family and Peacebuilding: A Religious Freedom Forum,” was especially meaningful in Mindanao, where communities have long worked to strengthen peace through dialogue, cooperation and respect across religious and cultural lines. The gathering also emphasized the role of families and faith communities in building peace, with the home recognized as the most important institution in the community.

In his keynote message, Elder Kopischke said peacebuilding begins in the family and reminded participants that people of faith have “much more in common than what divides us.” He also taught that God has placed people under the obligation to “love and respect each other,” describing these principles as essential to “peace in the home, peace in the community and peace in the world.”

“In the home, families teach values like love, respect, forgiveness, and understanding, which are essential for building peace in communities. When families, including individual family members, are free to practice and teach their religious beliefs, they can pass on moral principles that encourage kindness and respect for others’ beliefs,” Elder Kopischke said.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands for these principles. We believe that ‘the family is ordained of God’ and that ‘it is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children,’” he added.

He later invited participants to visit the Davao Philippines Temple during its open house, describing it as a sacred symbol of “light and peace,” and expressed hope that those who toured the building would carry that peace into their families, congregations and communities.

The forum also featured presentations from leaders and experts representing the partner organizations.

Atty. Salma Pir-Rasul of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy spoke on religious freedom and peacebuilding in Mindanao, focusing on the importance of protecting conscience, advancing justice and taking care of peaceful communities.

Professor Hannah Smith, associate director of Brigham Young University’s International Center for Law and Religion Studies, spoke on the protection of religious freedom and its role in promoting human dignity and the flourishing of society.

Dr. Emmanuel Abraham, country representative of FamilySearch International, discussed how family connection, identity and belonging can help strengthen social harmony and peacebuilding efforts.

In her closing message, Dr. Amina Rasul-Bernardo, president of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, encouraged participants to continue promoting understanding, respect and harmony among people of all faiths.

The gathering also highlighted the importance of religious freedom, interfaith dialogue and family connection in building more peaceful societies. Organizers emphasized that the freedom to worship according to conscience helps uphold human dignity and allows faith communities to contribute to the common good. They also pointed to the value of helping people strengthen their sense of identity, belonging and mutual understanding as part of the work of peacebuilding.