The following remarks were delivered at the opening on the ‘Young People Leading in Peace and Security- Disarmament, Atrocity Prevention and Inter Religious Dialogue’ on 21st August 2020, organised in celebration of International Youth Day 2020

Welcoming Remarks by Roy Ibrahim, IYCS Programme Coordinator and Global Focal Point of the Global Caucus for Youth in Faith on the occasion of the IYD 2020.

 Hello everyone!

It’s a great pleasure to share with you.

I want to start by acknowledging that, these are difficult times and I think we should make no mistake by skipping the part that is difficult, the survival part which is hitting most regions of the world. Here in Europe for example, it has calmed down a little bit, but there was quite a bit of panic two months ago. And of course, in the Americas and some Asian countries right now it’s pretty much the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore I encourage our brothers and sisters in those regions to hang on and continue doing your best to stay safe.

The current reality has disrupted our programs, our everyday routine and everything that we thought about just half a year ago is different. Some of us used to work and fly all across the world, and now we are sitting here looking at the camera. Our whole way of life is changing, everybody is pivoting. It’s a total reset time. I really do think this is “the great reset” and there are many great things about it and many difficult things. What we need to do right now is to survive, collaborate, have solidarity and help each other.

 I, therefore, want to greatly commend the organisers of this very important and timely Webinar on Young People Leading in Peace and Security with a focus on interfaith dialogue, atrocity prevention and disarmament. While we join efforts to fight COVID-19, we must not lose the hard work and gains we had made on youth engagement in peace and security.

 I will base my remarks on the youth in faith engagement which is crucial for the interfaith dialogue, atrocity prevention and disarmament and in the overarching achievement of young people in leading peace and security while ensuring that no one is left behind.

 Faith based organisations have played a crucial role in communities around the world on critical issues of global peace, security and development. The UN General Assembly and the United Nations organs recognise and acknowledge the power of faith leaders to shape our world for good and their ability to convene and influence people’s values, attitudes, behaviours and actions. This has led to the rolling out of several initiatives such as the Charter for Faith based Humanitarian Action, the UN Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development, the Faith for Earth Initiative and Global Multi-Religions Faith in Action for COVID-19.

 To ensure that children and young people from faith-based organizations and perspectives are meaningfully engaged in these initiatives and engagement mechanisms, the UN Major Group for Children and Youth established the Global Caucus for Youth in Faith as a dedicated space for children and youth from faith based organizations to engage in processes and  avenues across the pillars and organs of the United Nations.

 The Global Caucus for Youth in Faith therefore facilitates meaningful children and youth engagement in the United Nations from a faith based perspective.

 As the Global Caucus for Youth in Faith Focal Point, the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS), focuses on harnessing the culture of dialogue and collaboration between faiths as a blueprint and an essential ingredient for future generations to thrive and prosper together. 

 We promote the Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together highlighting the need for a sense of fraternity amongst all men and women of goodwill who are invited to promote peace and justice, guaranteeing human rights and religious freedom. 

 The Global Caucus for Youth in Faith  therefore calls upon all young people leading in peace and security to spread the values of fraternity, peace, tolerance and understanding as a foundation for interfaith dialogue, atrocity prevention and disarmament.

 We are looking forward to the outcomes of this webinar and to working together in solidarity to achieve our collective aspirations of meaningful youth engagement in peace and security towards achieving a peaceful, just and sustainable world.

I thank you and wish you all the best!