Religions for Peace Delivers Remarks at the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum’s Side Event for the 2023 United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum
Religions for Peace is deeply grateful to the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Permanent Mission of Türkiye to the United Nations for organising and hosting the event, The Turkish Humanitarian Diplomacy and Youth Participation: The Role of Youth in the Recovery from February 2023 Earthquake in Türkiye, on the margins of the 2023 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. Religions for Peace was represented by Ms. Kristine Leonardo, Programme Associate of the Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund, who delivered the following remarks during the panel discussion.
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Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Peace be upon you all.
Religions for Peace is the largest and most representative coalition of religious leaders and their institutions spread across 90 countries in five regions globally. For over 52 years, we have been convening the world’s faith and Indigenous communities, grassroots women and youth networks to catalyse and promote multi-religious collaboration and action.
United in the dignity of our diversity, the members of the Religions for Peace global movement offer our sincere condolences for over 50,000 of our brothers and sisters whose lives were lost in the massive earthquakes in the Republic of Türkiye, and stand in solidarity with all who continue to be affected by the aftermath of what is now considered as the “sixth most deadly natural disaster of the century.”
We note that the natural disaster came at a critical time of fragility and vulnerability, as the compounding crises of ongoing conflict, COVID-19 and other health and humanitarian emergencies, economic decline, climate change, and forced displacement (to name a few) have already taken an unbearable toll on the lives and well-being of millions of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in the country. We also note that in such crisis situations, youth, women and other vulnerable groups – through no fault of their own – are direct and “invisible victims,” as the lasting implications of conflict and humanitarian crises affect vulnerable communities for decades to come. Youth are thus disproportionately affected since they will inherit the consequences of actions that they had no control over. This is why at Religions for Peace, we believe in the inclusion and participation of youth as leaders of both the present and the future!
At the heart of Religions for Peace is a commitment to advance the cooperation of the world’s religious and faith communities to ensure that no one is left behind. Under the stewardship of our Secretary General, Prof. Azza Karam, and with guidance from the international governing board – the World Council, which includes the Global Interfaith Youth Network led by the International Youth Committee – we advance Six Strategic Priorities that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals: particularly, building just, peaceful, and inclusive societies; advancing gender equality; nurturing a sustainable environment; championing freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; cultivating interreligious education; and, strengthening multi-religious collaboration and global partnerships.
Serving as equal partners in our work, our Global Interfaith Youth leaders and communities bring moral agency and innovative solutions, as they serve at the frontlines of responding to the world’s most intractable issues. In this regard, Religions for Peace found a good ally and partner in ICYF whose mission and bold vision align not only with our work, but also with the aspirations of our interfaith youth movement. In 2020, Religions for Peace and ICYF established a partnership that ensures the empowerment of youth and their critical engagement in common actions for peace. In 2021, we co-hosted the Symposium on Youth and Faith in the 21st Century, which convened, catalysed, and facilitated multi-religious collaboration through consultations with the youth on critical global issues such as peace and security, environment, and humanitarian action. The discussions highlighted vital perspectives and contributions of the youth on these key areas, which are documented in the first volume of Youth Engagement with Religion and Faith in the 21st Century, along with background papers on the importance of youth engagement in conflict mediation, environmental conservation, peacebuilding, and ensuring access to education across the globe.
As key stakeholders in peacebuilding, interfaith youth leaders and communities have stewarded the Religions for Peaceglobal movement in “walking the journey for peace” since 2019. This journey began during our 10th World Assembly in Lindau, Germany, where over 900 women, men, and youth leaders walked together as an alliance of “common action” for the common good of all life and humanity. In November 2022, Religions for Peace continued this journey with the first International Forum on Youth and Environment hosted with the Manresa City Council in Spain, where youth, members of religious and faith communities, as well as policymakers and academic experts, walked side-by-side for the first time, on the Camino Ignaciano multi-faith pilgrimage, and agreed on a multi-religious and multi-sectoral intergenerational Pact for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities (SDG 11).
As reflected in the Manresa Pact, “we must create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities to alleviate the effects of the social and environmental crises that impact everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.” As the most critical agents of change, the youth are well-positioned to lead and participate in efforts that serve the most vulnerable and advance the common good – for our common home, and for all life and humanity.
Through our flagship Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund – and the mobilisation efforts of grassroots organisations and women and youth networks – Religions for Peace has supported 38 interfaith initiatives that have reached over 37 million people, including millions of refugees and internally displaced peoples in 30 countries across five regions. After the tragic earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, we issued an appeal to scale up resources for a multi-religious humanitarian intervention that would ease the suffering of those most affected by the natural disaster. Through the Fund, we support interfaith initiatives that aid the most vulnerable, including those most affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye.
Listening to the voices of youth is the only way to serve youth, and to serve all of humanity. Young adults are key to identifying new solutions to the world’s most intractable issues. As future custodians of our common home, they also stand to lose the most if we do not respond to the multi-religious and multi-stakeholder imperative to work together in addressing the “triple planetary crisis.” It is with this understanding that Religions for Peace remains committed to serving for and with the youth. However, we must be cautious not to get carried away by the call to arms for our young people alone, as the aspect of intergenerational exchange and partnership needs to be maintained. As a wise man once observed:
“… a child standing on their feet can see beyond the gate, but a child standing on the shoulders of their elders sees beyond the city gates, where lies the opportunities to serve the common good, together.”
Religions for Peace nurtures and catalyses opportunities for intergenerational dialogue on the most critical global issues. In light of the humanitarian crisis affecting Türkiye, our partnership with ICYF is an illustrative example of such an opportunity. Together, we will continue to mobilise and deploy the spiritual, moral, and social assets of our movements. On that note, allow me to reiterate our deep appreciation for the timely convening of this meeting, as well as our commitment to advance the tangible actions that will come from it.
In closing, allow me to put forth the Global Interfaith Youth Network’s call for action, “to involve us, engage us, and consult with us, as we are all stakeholders of the present, living on this one planet, inspired by and committed to cultivating the positive peace demanded by our respective faiths.”
Thank you.
