Human Rights, Religious Populism, and the Democratic Process

This session explores practical and educational challenges associated with the promotion of human rights in North American communities that are affected by religious populism. Dr. Steiner speaks from her experience educating students in the American Midwest where religious populism is frequently confused with human rights activism. Ms. Tobias-Nahi speaks from her experience encountering different waves of American populism while advocating for disenfranchised groups and promoting interfaith alliances. Ambassador Christie reflects on how the recent increase in rightwing populism in Canada is impacting interfaith relations in the Canadian context. All presenters are reflecting on how the interplay between human rights and religious populism impacts the democratic process in North America.