International Religious Liberty Association - Canada

What International Religious Liberty Association - Canada does

The International Religious Liberty Association - Canada is the Canadian regional affiliate of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), a global non-profit advocacy organization chartered in 1893 and incorporated as a tax-exempt educational non-profit in the District of Columbia. IRLA promotes freedom of religion or belief as a foundational human right, framed around Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and works through education, scholarly publications, public events, and diplomatic engagement rather than commercial products.

Its core deliverables are content and convening assets: the annual Fides et Libertas scholarly journal, the Global Affairs Today television program produced with Hope Channel, the Fides et Liberdade biennial content suite, multi-language educational resources such as FoRB for Everyone IRLA, the annual Meeting of Experts, and the quinquennial World Congress on Religious Freedom (9th edition held in Silver Spring in August 2023 with 550+ participants from 65+ countries). The organizational platform is a 13-chapter global structure with national associations in 80 countries and correspondents in 172 countries, UN ECOSOC NGO Category II consultative status, and permanent representation at the UN in New York and Geneva.

IRLA has no paid staff; officers and directors serve voluntarily, and operations are funded by donations from organizations supportive of the association's non-sectarian religious-freedom mandate. While originally organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the association is explicitly universal and non-sectarian in purpose, governed by a Board of Directors with cross-faith leadership (a Lutheran World Federation general secretary, a Baptist World Alliance general secretary, and former U.S. Ambassadors-at-Large have held the presidency). Leadership transitioned in October 2025, with Nelu Burcea elected Secretary General and Elie Henry elected Deputy Secretary General.

Name

International Religious Liberty Association - Canada

Legal name

International Religious Liberty Association

Website

https://irla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1893

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Religious Liberty Association - Canada is the Canadian regional affiliate of the IRLA, a 1893-founded global non-profit that advocates for freedom of religion or belief through scholarly publications, the World Congress on Religious Freedom, UN representation, and educational outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Freedom Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA)

Keywords

• Religious liberty advocacy
• Human rights education
• Scholarly journal publications
• Diplomatic engagement
• Interfaith dialogue

Headquarters

HQ city

Oshawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Support: Funding for IRLA operations comes from organizations supportive of the association's purpose. The organization is incorporated as a tax-exempt, educational, not-for-profit organization in the District of Columbia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The International Religious Liberty Association – Canada promotes religious freedom worldwide through education, scholarly publications, and public advocacy. Its core offerings include the annual Fides et Libertas scholarly journal, the Global Affairs Today television program in collaboration with Hope Channel, the World Congress on Religious Freedom held every five years, the annual Meeting of Experts symposium, and multilingual educational resources such as FoRB for Everyone IRLA. The organization also engages in diplomatic representation at the United Nations and convenes Religious Freedom Festivals to raise public awareness.

Product overview

The International Religious Liberty Association operates as a non-profit advocacy organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings consist of scholarly publications (Fides et Libertas journal), educational resources (FoRB for Everyone IRLA in multiple languages), television programming (Global Affairs Today), and international events (World Congress on Religious Freedom held every five years, and annual Meeting of Experts). The organization also produces video broadcasts and various statements on religious liberty issues. These products and services are designed to promote religious freedom advocacy, academic discourse, and public awareness rather than serving as a commercial software or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fides et Libertas: Annual scholarly journal published by IRLA, presenting articles by members of its distinguished Board of Experts and other academics and activists in the field of religious freedom and human rights.
• Global Affairs Today

Products and services

• Fides et Libertas Annual scholarly journal presenting articles from IRLA's Board of Experts and other academics and activists in religious freedom and human rights, along with news and reports from international congresses and symposiums. Targeted at scholars, policy researchers, academics, and advocates.
• Global Affairs Today Television program created in collaboration with Hope Channel by the Public Affairs Religious Liberty department of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, exploring religious freedom and related human rights topics for general audiences.
• World Congress on Religious Freedom International congress held every five years bringing together academics, practitioners, activists, public officials, attorneys, and religious leaders from around the globe to discuss religious liberty issues. The 9th edition drew 550+ participants from 65+ countries with USD $200 registration fees.
• Meeting of Experts Annual meeting of scholars, researchers, and thought leaders producing academic work on critical aspects of religious freedom, hosted at universities including Sydney University, University of Toronto, Pepperdine Law School, and Harvard Divinity School.
• IRLA Broadcasts Video content and media materials providing background information about the work of IRLA in promoting religious freedom, distributed via the IRLAVideo YouTube channel and online platforms.
• FoRB for Everyone IRLA Educational resource on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) available in multiple languages including English and French, designed to make religious liberty concepts accessible to general public audiences worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• World Congress brings together 550+ scholars, public officials, religious leaders, and advocates from 65+ countries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• North American Religious Liberty Association (NARLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth American partner association dedicated to religious liberty advocacy within North America.
• Association Internationale pour la Défense de la Liberté Religieuse (AIDLR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational association for the defense of religious liberty, operating in European and other regions.
• Associação Brasileira de Liberdade Religiosa e Cidadania (ABLIRC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian association for religious liberty and citizenship.
• Caribbean Religious Liberty Association (CARLA)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaribbean regional association for religious liberty.
• Chilean Association for Religious Liberty (CARL)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerChilean national association for religious liberty.
• Seventh-day Adventist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginally organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. IRLA's purpose is universal and non-sectarian promotion of religious freedom for all people. The organization collaborates with the Public Affairs Religious Liberty department of the General Conference.
• Hope ChannelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Global Affairs Today TV program and broadcast content.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO recognized by UN Economic and Social Council with Category II status. Permanent representation at UN in New York and Geneva, participates in Human Rights Council meetings annually.
• International Center for Law and Religion Studies (BYU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner led by Professor W. Cole Durham, contributing to IRLA expert panels and conferences.
• Religious Freedom Center, Freedom Forum InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in religious freedom research and education initiatives.
• Religions for PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal interfaith coalition working for peace; IRLA collaborated on various initiatives including recognition of interfaith leaders.
• 13 Regional IRLA ChapterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast-Central Africa, West-Central Africa, Middle-East and North Africa, Southern Africa, Euro-Asia, Inter-European, Inter-American, South American, Northern Asia-Pacific, Southern Asia-Pacific, South Pacific, Chinese Union Region, Ukraine Region.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Freedom House: International NGO that monitors political freedom and democracy worldwide through the Freedom in the World report. Comparable to IRLA in advocating for fundamental freedoms including religious liberty, but operating at much broader scale with paid staff and disclosed financials.
• Pew Research Center - Religion & Public Life: Major research institution producing authoritative data and reports on global religious demography, restrictions, and trends. Comparable to IRLA in producing influential content on religious freedom, but as a non-advocacy research body.
• Hudson Institute - Religious Freedom Initiative: Think tank program producing research and policy recommendations on international religious freedom. Comparable to IRLA in producing influential content and convening experts, but as a broader policy think tank with paid analysts.

Direct peers

• International Religious Freedom Roundtable: Coalition of NGOs and individuals working to advance international religious freedom, convening regular meetings in Washington DC. Comparable to IRLA in its mission to coordinate civil society advocacy on religious freedom globally.
• Open Doors: International NGO advocating for persecuted Christians worldwide, publishing the World Watch List and engaging governments and the UN on religious freedom. Comparable to IRLA in its global religious liberty advocacy mission and UN engagement strategy.
• United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF): Independent US federal body that monitors religious freedom abroad and advises the US government on policy. Directly comparable to IRLA in its advocacy and policy focus on international religious liberty, though operating as a government commission rather than an NGO.
• Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC): Faith-based advocacy organization focused on religious liberty in the United States through education, litigation, and policy work. Comparable to IRLA in faith-rooted but non-sectarian religious freedom advocacy, though more US-focused.
• International Center for Law and Religion Studies (BYU): Academic center at Brigham Young University promoting religious liberty through scholarship, conferences, and policy engagement. Comparable to IRLA given its academic publishing, expert networks, and active partnership with IRLA via Professor Cole Durham.
• CSW (formerly Christian Solidarity Worldwide): UK-based human rights organization advocating for religious freedom worldwide with focus on persecuted Christians. Comparable to IRLA in UN advocacy, country-level monitoring, and faith-rooted but rights-based approach.
• Aid to the Church in Need: Catholic pontifical foundation supporting persecuted Christians and religious freedom through advocacy and aid. Comparable to IRLA in combining religious freedom advocacy with faith-based identity and global presence in restricted jurisdictions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IRLA_USA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IRLAVideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/IRLA.HQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irla

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Religious Liberty Association - Canada