Nigel Coke Will Speak at Symposium in Provo
The Caribbean advocate will join experts at Brigham Young University to discuss global religious freedom this October.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
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Nigel Coke will present on interfaith respect at the 33rd Annual International Law and Religion Symposium, held at Brigham Young University from October 4 to October 6, 2026. As the only Caribbean presenter, he will join more than 200 attendees from over 50 countries to address religious liberty infrastructure.
Why it matters
Coke was invited for his extensive experience in religious freedom advocacy, specifically his work building interfaith networks and educating the public. His contribution comes as global concerns grow regarding the rights of individuals to practice their faith freely.
The 33rd edition of the symposium hosts over 200 attendees from 50 nations. In 2015, Nigel Coke founded the National Religious Liberty Association to advance these initiatives.
The players
Nigel Coke
He is a religious liberty advocate who previously served as the public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica.
Brigham Young University
It is a private research university in Provo, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The details
Nigel Coke, former director of public affairs and religious liberty for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, will lead a presentation titled 'Interfaith Respect for Religious Pluralism.' He will also participate in a panel discussion during the three-day gathering in Provo.
Timeline
January 2015 marks when Nigel Coke established the National Religious Liberty Association.
The 33rd Annual International Law and Religion Symposium occurs from October 4 to October 6, 2026.
Culture Shift
The symposium mirrors a broader shift toward formalizing interfaith dialogue as a component of global human rights infrastructure. By moving beyond local advocacy to international symposiums, organizers are aligning with the data from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom 2025 report.
Residents in Provo may see an influx of international visitors and scholars arriving for the multi-day event at the university. Local traffic around the campus area may experience higher volume during the symposium dates.
The takeaway
Advocacy efforts like those led by Nigel Coke highlight the importance of structured interfaith networks in promoting religious pluralism. Implementing similar principles of respect in daily interactions can help foster more inclusive communities.
Further reading
Learn more about the community context in the Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jamaica Gleaner.
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