Dr. Ján Figel’ has undertaken pioneering work as the first Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outside the European Union. After a distinguished career in both academia and politics in Slovakia, he was appointed a Commissioner of the European Union for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. He took part in founding the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) in Slovakia and was appointed the First Deputy-Prime Minister of the Government of Slovakia and Minister of Transport, Construction and Regional Development 2010-2012. He was serving as Vice-President of the National Council of the Slovakia Republic between 2012-2016 when he was appointed Special Envoy for Religious Freedom.