The 2nd edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF) will kick off in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday with the participation of 50 young men and women from around the world.
The forum is organized in partnership between the Muslim Council of Elders, the World Council of Churches, and the Rose Castle Foundation and will take place from July 6-14.
It aims to provide a platform for dialogue for young people aged 18 to 30 who are working on developing innovative and sustainable solutions for achieving peace in their respective communities.
The forum seeks to empower young men and women to launch national and regional initiatives and projects related to peacebuilding, as well as promote the values and principles of tolerance and human fraternity.
It is also designed to enhance and refine the skills of participants in the fields of peacebuilding whilst aligning with their basic knowledge and experiences.
The EPF is hoped that this will be accomplished through the guidance of specialized international experts and practitioners, with a focus on issues such as religion, youth, diplomacy, interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and human fraternity.
The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohammed Abdelsalam emphasized that the Emerging Peacemakers Forum aims to shape a global youth movement capable of actively contributing to positive change and finding innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges.
Participants are encouraged to serve as shining examples to inspire other young people worldwide while also directing their efforts towards peacebuilding, nation-building, and promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence, and solidarity through a range of inspiring initiatives.
In turn, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed his delight at his organization being one of the three chief partners organizing the forum.
"We firmly believe young people have the potential to be powerful agents of peace and social transformation. With their energy, creativity, and passion, they can inspire positive change in their communities and beyond. Their unique perspectives and innovative ideas can help to tackle some of the most pressing social and environmental challenges of our time, paving the way for a brighter future," he said.
The Emerging Peacemakers Forum is considered one of the most significant initiatives by the Muslim Council of Elders, which is an international NGO based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the council places a great emphasis and interest in youth and believes in their important role in promoting and spreading the values of peace and coexistence.
The first edition of the EPF was held in the United Kingdom in 2017 and contributed to creating a generation of young people from the East and the West who uphold the values of dialogue, citizenship, and acceptance in the face of all forms of extremism, racism, hatred, and discrimination.
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