The Hungary Helps Program and Hungary received an award in Washington on Sunday at the International Religious Freedom Summit for their exemplary work in helping persecuted Christians and religious minorities. The award was presented at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington during the opening ceremony of the major international conference that began on Monday to Tristan Azbej, State Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who is responsible for helping persecuted Christians and implementing the Hungary Helps Program.
In his welcome speech, the state secretary drew attention to the fact that the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence this year, adding that Hungarians have learned throughout their history what it means to fight for freedom and religious freedom.
This was also the case in the 20th century, when they experienced both totalitarian dictatorships, Nazism and communism, he recalled.
He pointed out that the fundamental approach of the Hungary Helps Program, which works to help persecuted Christians and other religious communities, is to achieve results through the development of interpersonal relationships.
Azbej described the program’s plans for this year, saying that in 2026, with Hungarian help, schools and churches in Syria could be renovated, children in Pakistan and Iraq could be helped, churches could be rebuilt, and healthcare support could be provided in Nigeria, among other things.
David Trimble, President of the Religious Freedom Institute, emphasized when presenting the award that Hungary’s activities are also commendable because they deliver aid directly to communities in need.
Szabolcs Takács, Hungary’s ambassador and host of the event, emphasized that the fact that the Hungarian embassy is hosting the opening event of the International Religious Freedom Summit symbolizes Hungary’s long-standing commitment to religious freedom. The event also saw the presentation of the Religious Freedom Institute Award to the two co-chairs of the international conference, Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice, and Sam Brownback, U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Approximately 1,800-2,000 participants are expected to attend the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington starting on Monday. Among the approximately 200 guests gathered at the opening ceremony held at the Hungarian Embassy were representatives of the U.S. government, several European politicians, and religious leaders from Nigeria and Syria.
Source: Hungary Today; MTI
