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<p>The Kickstart Fund is designed to support preparatory work ahead of the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting next April. The Commonwealth Summit Unit received one
bid on Freedom of Religion and Belief which was not successful.</p><p>The Unit is
currently considering programmes for the UK's Commonwealth Chair-in-Office period,
the two years following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018.
While funding through the Kickstart Fund for a programme of events on Freedom of Religion
and Belief has not been specifically allocated ahead of the summit, agreement has
been reached that the Government will support the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
in hosting a forum. This will bring parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth
together for important discussions across the key challenges facing the Commonwealth,
including upholding the Commonwealth Charter. The Commonwealth Summit Unit has also
provided £20,000 to the Royal Commonwealth Society to support its interfaith service,
which will take place in Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day in March 2018.</p><p>The
Government remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of Freedom of
Religion or Belief in all countries. The Prime Minister has announced the four themes
for the summit: prosperity, security, sustainability and fairness. The summit will
encourage all Commonwealth members to uphold the values set out in the Commonwealth
Charter, including religious freedom.</p>
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