Who We Are
A legacy of promoting and defending freedom of conscience, worship, and religion across the globe since 1946.
History of the Association
1. Its founder: Dr. Jean Nussbaum
Jean Nussbaum, a French physician of Swiss origin, founded the International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (A.I.D.L.R.) in Paris, in 1946. His wish was to give a legal basis to the actions he had been taking on behalf of religious liberty since the end of World War I.
Jean Nussbaum, the founder.
Born in 1914, Nussbaum's interest in religious liberty was awakened during his service in Belgrade, where he intervened to help an Austrian prisoner of war practice his faith. Throughout his life, he traveled widely, intervening on behalf of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians facing difficulties.
2. The Foundation with Eleanor Roosevelt
In 1945, Jean Nussbaum attended the United Nations Convention in San Francisco, where he met Eleanor Roosevelt. They quickly agreed on the issues of human rights, and she accepted to be the first Honorary President of the Association.
The Association was established in Paris in 1946, and since then has been supported by illustrious individuals from university, religious, and political circles.
3. Official Recognition
In 1978, the AIDLR was given the status of a non-governmental organization (NGO) by the United Nations. In 1987, Secretary General Pérez de Cuéllar conferred on the Association the title of "Messenger of Peace".
