Jonathan Gallagher

Dr. Jonathan Gallagher "currently works as the United Liaison director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, representing the Church at UN assemblies (in New York and Geneva) and interfacing with ambassadors, diplomats, staff of the UN and other high-level organizations.

"His work is part of the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Adventist Church’s World Headquarters. His primary role is to promote awareness and concern for religious freedom and to develop cooperative programs of interest to the Church and the international community in areas such as health, education, ethics, human rights and religious liberty.

"Dr. Gallagher serves as Deputy Secretary-General for the International Religious Liberty Association, a non-sectarian organization (chartered in 1893) that disseminates the principles of religious liberty and human rights for all people throughout the world. He is also the editor for the association’s academic journal, Fides et Libertás (Faith and Liberty).

"Dr. Gallagher is also secretary of the U.N. NGO Committee on Religion or Belief. The Committee operates in New York as a recognized committee of the United Nations Council of NGOs in Consultation with the Economic and Social Council. It is the primary NGO committee voice on matters of freedom of conscience, violations of freedom or religion or belief, and the importance of maintaing this fundamental human rights.

"Dr. Gallagher is an ordained minister, and worked as a local church pastor in his native country of England for seven years, followed by eight years of church administration in England, as well. His most recent assignment was News Director for the Adventist World Church. He holds a doctorate in divinity from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, a BA in History and Theology, while his first degree was in Chemistry as applied to space research.

"Dr. Gallagher is author of numerous articles and the following books: Discovering God (2004), Living the Hope (2002), Parenting: The Nuts & Bolts (2002), Young Man (1997), The Ultimate God (1996), Young Woman (1996), Is God to Blame, and Fear Not? Why Not? (1988).

"He is passionate about religious freedom and its importance in the world today, believing it best represents the fundamental beliefs of the Adventist Church and speaks well of the God of freedom. Dr. Gallagher is married to Ana (nee Goncalves)".