INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Charity Incorporated Organisation no 1026699
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Report of the Trustees | 2 |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details | 2 |
| Objectives and Activities | 3 |
| Achievements and Performance | 4 |
| Financial Review | 4 |
| Statement Of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 5 |
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Charity Incorporated Organisation no 1026699
Report of the Trustees
The Trustees present their report for the year to 31 December 2022.
Reference and administrative details
Registered Office:
Essex Hall, 1-6, Essex Street, London, WC2R 3HY
Contact details
The Charity can be contacted through its Administrator, Luke Liniewicz, at hq@iarf.net or +31641744951.
Trustees
The Charity had three Trustees between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022:
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Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, a resident of Japan, who also served as the Treasurer,
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Ms. Janhvi Gupte, a resident of India, who also served as the Vice-President,
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Mr. Robert Ince, a resident of England, who also served as the President.
The Trustees have no beneficial interests in the Charity.
Constitution
International Association for Religious Freedom is a Charity Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales. The Association was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 25 May 1900.
The Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is meticulously governed by its Constitution, where the Trustees play a pivotal role in its stewardship, bolstered by the guidance of the International Council. Within the Council, the President, Vice President, and Treasurer, who are also Trustees, collaborate with eight other dedicated members. These members bring a wealth of diverse representations from various pivotal regions and affiliations such as North America, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, the RFYN (IARF’s youth network), and the IARLW (International Association of Liberal Religious Women, IARF’s sister organisation). Additionally, a member elected by the General Meeting, representing any region, is also included in the Council. With a clear directive from the General Meeting,
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Charity Incorporated Organisation no 1026699
the Trustees faithfully implement the recommendations of the Advisory Council, ensuring alignment with the UK law and the Constitution.
Organisation
Throughout the year, the Council, composed of the Trustees including the President, Vice President, and Treasurer, as well as eight other representative members, convenes to oversee the administration of the charity. These representatives emanate from diverse regions and affiliations such as North America, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, the RFYN (IARF’s youth network), and the IARLW (International Association of Liberal Religious Women, IARF’s sister organisation). The Council ensures to meet at least annually, incorporating the Annual General Meeting (AGM) into their schedule. This past year, the meeting was successfully conducted via video conference in September.
Additionally, the General Meeting is convened alongside the World Congress, held every 3 or 4 years. This vital gathering is instrumental in appointing a new Council and passing resolutions integral to the charity's direction and governance. The most recent World Congress took place in Washington DC in 2018. Looking forward, the subsequent Congress is scheduled to be held in Cluj Napoca, Romania, in September 2023.
Risk Management
The trustees confirm that the major risks faced by the charity have been reviewed and procedures have been established to manage those risks.
Objectives and Activities
The Association’s activities are the promotion of the following for the benefit of the public:
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Religious life in which freedom of conscience is essential
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The heritage of liberal religion
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Understanding among peoples and respect in all areas of culture and religion
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Co-operation among groups and individuals seeking justice, peace and an ecological and faithful way of life
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Aid for religious communities that are poor and oppressed
Each year, we meticulously evaluate our aims, objectives, and activities to assess our accomplishments and the impact of our work over the previous 12 months. This comprehensive review involves a strategic analysis of the success and effectiveness of each key activity, focusing particularly on the value and benefits delivered to the communities we
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Charity Incorporated Organisation no 1026699
are dedicated to supporting. Such a process is instrumental in ensuring that our objectives and endeavours steadfastly align with our foundational purposes, maintaining a concentrated focus on our core mission. In guiding this evaluative process and planning our prospective initiatives, we consistently refer to the authoritative guidance provided by the Charity Commission, ensuring our objectives and activities meaningfully contribute to the public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
The International Association for Religious Freedom together with its member organisations continues work in various places throughout the world in an effort to highlight places where religious freedom is threatened and to bring together those from various faith backgrounds in the cause of harmony and reconciliation, as well as to facilitate collaboration between its members in areas of interfaith exchange, human rights education, promotion of liberal religious values and humanitarian relief initiatives (such as in Kenya, Pakistan and India).
Our work is increasingly publicised and promoted through our website, the newsletters of our Chapters and Regions, and social media.
We have began a process of evaluation and conversation that will help us inform our deliberations at the upcoming World Congress, so that the IARF may move forward with a new leadership and a clear vision of its identity and the goals for its future.
Our financial situation, at a global level remains challenging, but our members and regional organisations increasingly contribute to activities around the world.
Our activity at the United Nations, especially in Geneva, remains strong as our Main Representative, the Revd Dr Esther Suter, monitors events and developments related to our areas of interests and contributes to the deliberations and work of several committees. We have also applied to be represented at the Council of Europe and are awaiting the result of the procedure.
Financial Review
The financial summary for the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) in 2022 reflects our ongoing commitment to sustaining and improving our operations and initiatives, despite several challenges.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Charity Incorporated Organisation no 1026699
Income and Expenditure
For 2022, the IARF's total incoming resources amounted to £16,413, with membership fees contributing £7,625 and investment income (dividends) amounting to £5,685. This marks a decrease compared to the total income of £20,412 in the previous year. Additional incomes included a currency exchange gain of £404 and currency conversion income of £338. The total receipts, including asset and investment sales and loans taken, amounted to £16,413.
The total expenditure for the year was £20,389, with the primary expenses being salary and tax for one employee at £14,836, bank charges of £278, and telecommunications/computer costs of £216. The organization also incurred costs in governance (£120) and currency conversion (£336). Additional expenditures included repayment of loans amounting to £4,603. The net of receipts and payments resulted in a deficit of £3,976, compared to a surplus of £16,680 in the previous year.
Investments
The IARF's investment assets include the Newton Growth and Income Fund for Charities (at BNY Mellon) valued at £226,826 and the Newton SRI Fund for Charities (at BNY Mellon), part of the Greeley Fund, valued at £26,429.
Cash Funds
The year-end cash funds stood at £14,759, a decrease from the previous year's end balance of £18,738.
Future Direction
The financial report for 2022 highlights a notable deficit and a reduction in overall funds. This underscores the need for strategic financial adjustments, emphasizing increasing income streams and managing expenditures more effectively. The IARF continues to focus on digital platform optimization for cost-effective project execution and is exploring innovative ways to navigate the economic challenges ahead.
Reserves Policy
The current level of reserves, as considered at the 2021 Council meeting, remains sufficient for the present level of activities. The reserves are primarily held in GBP, EUR, USD, and JPY accounts, totaling £14,759.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Charity Incorporated Organisation no 1026699
Statement Of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
Robert Ince 30 October 2023
Charity Name No (if any) International Association for Religious Freedom 1026699 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period Period start date Period end date To from 1/1/2022 31/12/2022 Unrestricted Endowment Restricted funds Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership fees | - | 7,625- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 7,625- | - | 7,953- | ||||||||||
| Donations | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Investment income (dividends) | - | 5,685- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 5,685- | - | 12,459- | ||||||||||
| Bank interest | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Exchange Rate Gain | - | 404- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 404- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Currency conversion | - | 338- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 338- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| - | 14,052- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 14,052- | - | 20,412- | |||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see | ||||||||||||||||||||
| table). | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of investment shares | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 20,000- | ||||||||||
| Loans taken | - | 2,361- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 2,361- | - | 3,300- | ||||||||||
| Sub total | - | 2,361- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 2,361- | - | 23,300- | ||||||||||
| **Total receipts ** | - | 16,413- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 16,413- | - | 43,712- |
A3 Payments
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary and tax for one employee | - | 14,836- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 14,836- | - | 15,486- | ||||
| Bank charges | - | 278- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 278- | - | 101- |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
13/11/2023
1
| Tel/Computer | - 216- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 216- |
- 14- |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print/post | - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||
| Governance | - 120- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 120- |
- -- |
||||
| Programme | - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 975- |
||||
| Currency Conversion | - 336- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 336- |
- -- |
||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||||
| **Sub total ** | - 15,786- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 15,786- |
- 16,576- |
||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| Repayment of loans | - 4,603- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 4,603- |
- 10,456- |
||||
| Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end **Cash funds this year end ** |
- 4,603- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 4,603- |
- 10,456- |
||||
| - 20,389- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 20,389- |
- 27,032- |
|||||
| - 3,976- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 3,976- |
- 16,680- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - 18,736- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 18,736- |
- 2,058- |
|||||
| - 14,759- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 14,759- |
- 18,738- |
|||||
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |||||||||
| Categories B1 Cash funds |
Details Held in GBP, EUR, USD and JPY accounts |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - 14,759- - -- - -- |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - -- - -- - -- |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||
| Held in GBP, EUR, USD and JPY accounts | - 14,759- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account (s)) |
- 14,759- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||||
| OK | OK | OK |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Restricted funds | Endowment | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | funds | ||||||||||||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||||||||
| B1 | Cash funds | Held in GBP, EUR, USD and JPY accounts | - | 14,759- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account (s)) |
- | 14,759- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||
| OK | OK | OK |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
13/11/2023
2
| B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Details | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| Current value (optional) |
||||
| Newton Growth and Income Fund for Charities (at BNY Mellon) |
Unrestricted | - -- |
- 226,826- |
|
| Newton SRI Fund for Charities (at BNY Mellon) | Greeley Fund | - -- |
- 26,429- |
|
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- |
Current value (optional) |
|
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
13/11/2023
3
| - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||
| Fund to which | Amount due | When due | ||||||||||
| Details | liability relates | (optional) | (optional) | |||||||||
| B5 | Liabilities | - | -- | |||||||||
| - | -- | |||||||||||
| - | -- | |||||||||||
| - | -- | |||||||||||
| - | -- |
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
| Signature | Print Name | Date of approval | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Ince, Trustee | 31 October 2023 | |||
CCXX R4 accounts (SS)
13/11/2023
4