Centro interpartimentale Orfect

Thank you for your interest towards Orfect, Observatory on Religious Freedom in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. Orfect is an international network that counts more than 40 scholars. At the same time, it is an Interdepartmental Research Center carried on between the Department of Law, the Department of Education and Human Sciences and the Department of Linguistic and Cultural Studies of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, with the aim of bringing together interdisciplinary skills and knowledge involving FoRB. Orfect brings together European professors, researchers and PhD students with the aim of developing interdisciplinary skills and knowledge on FoRB. Hence, particular emphasis is placed on research focusing on religious freedom in secular societies, and the interaction of religion, law and politics. Focusing on major developments at the level of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) the aim is to foster international collaborative projects and also develop successful university-industry partnerships.

The aim of the “Observatory on Religious Freedom in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights” (ORFECT) is to analyze the decisions of the ECtHR impacting on FoRB from the perspective of the secularism and non-discrimination. In particular, ORFECT will address cases related to religious freedom presented before the Court, study possible solutions and provide recommendations and opinions to be possibly used in a trial. ORFECT, moreover, will promote a culture of respect of religious freedom, non-discrimination and equal opportunities by means of awareness and communication campaigns other than positive action projects; it will organize and manage conferences and seminars, studies, researches and training activities regarding reasons, forms and possible solutions about religious freedom and non-discrimination.