User:JCarlson06/sandbox/Soteria International

Soteria International is a Danish non-governmental organisation whose purpose is to create awareness and inform society of spiritual freedom and the individual right to practice and live in their spirituality; particularly focusing on defending and developing human rights for this area. Soteria aims to re-establish a constructive dialogue between spiritual practitioners, the state, and social actors in order to decrease misunderstandings and stop human rights abuses caused by this. Soteria International relates its activities to individuals, as well as, groups and organizations representing relevant perspectives in spirituality and human rights. The organisation works independently of public and private organizations, taking no special interest of specific individuals, organizations, or companies.

History
Soteria International was founded in 2007 to meet the increased need to protect and highlight human rights violations due to misunderstandings of spiritual practice as the growing number of people adopting a spiritual perspective on life, with newly emerging values and principles, often meets a resistant misunderstanding in society. Soteria International has extensive experience within the human rights field, having organized conferences and workshops on this subject since 2007. Similarly, the organization has extensive experience lobbying at various political and social levels. Soteria International regularly meets with international organizations and European officials on matters of human rights abuses related to the freedom of conscience, thought, and belief.

Activity
Soteria International actively takes part in civil society at the political and societal level in order to promote the integration of spiritual principles in decisions for the future. The organization also conducts research and acts within the judiciary, social, and political fields on cases of human rights violations related to spiritual practice. The main office is situated in Copenhagen and handles international conferences and forums, as well as, legal cases. Soteria International sustains a deeper understanding, and a broader perspective, on the freedom of conscience, thought, and belief; and aims for the acknowledgement that spirituality cannot be regarded as a separate practice, but is rather integrated in all individual and social activities. People and organizations with sincere spiritual intentions should enjoy the same respect and social protection as traditional religious practices. Soteria International also works actively to promote spiritual perspectives in political solutions.

Membership
Membership in Soteria International is open to all individuals and organizations working in the same line of thought. Currently, Soteria International is represented in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Belgium, England, Romania, Israel, Italy, and Canada.

Conferences

 * Upcoming: Is Religious Diversity Accepted in Denmark & Europe? (March 2017, Copenhagen)
 * How Universal is the UN Declaration? (December 2016, Copenhagen)
 * Spiritual Practices and Freedom of Conscience and Belief (December 2015, Copenhagen)
 * A New Paradigm of Conflict Management Based on the Concept of Concordia, the Coherence of Hearts (December 2014, Copenhagen)
 * Shamanic Practices and related health and spiritual issues (October 2013, OSCE Conference, Warsaw)
 * Voluntary work in spiritual environments and its criminalization in modern society (September 2013, OSCE Conference, Warsaw)
 * Freedom of conscience and belief at a crossroads in Europe - self-determination and spiritual teachings (December 2013, Copenhagen)
 * Asylum and human rights challenged by EU directives (October 2013, OSCE Conference, Warsaw)
 * Institutional discrimination of minority religions; Italy and Romania (September 2013, OSCE Conference, Warsaw)
 * The State’s Role in Individual Spiritual Practice (April 2013, Copenhagen)
 * The Role of Spirituality in Modern Society (December 2012, Copenhagen)
 * Guidelines for Citizens of the Future (December 2011, Copenhagen)
 * Integral Education (October 2010, Berlin)
 * Media - Manipulation of the Masses? (June 2009, Berlin)
 * Peace for the 21st Century (June 2008, Berlin)