On International Youth Day, Muslim Council of Elders: Empowering Youth and Strengthening Their Participation Are Essential to Peacebuilding and Building a More Secure and Stable Future
The Muslim Council of Elders affirms that young people are a cornerstone of the future of nations and societies and vital partners in peacebuilding, promoting the values of dialogue, coexistence, and human fraternity, and countering hate speech, extremism, and intolerance. The Council emphasizes the importance of strengthening collective efforts to invest in the potential of young people, thereby fostering informed generations capable of advancing development and peace and responding responsibly to the rapid transformations shaping today’s world.
In a statement issued on International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12, the Muslim Council of Elders noted that empowering young people and creating opportunities for them to realize their talents and creativity is a shared responsibility. This requires providing avenues for meaningful participation in addressing the challenges facing their communities and the wider world, enhancing their engagement in dialogue and decision-making processes, and supporting their innovative ideas and initiatives. Such efforts will strengthen their contribution to peacebuilding, sustainable development, and the creation of a better future for all.
The Muslim Council of Elders places great importance on supporting and empowering young people and actively engaging them in its initiatives and programs. Among the most prominent of these are the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, the Student Dialogues Program for Human Fraternity, the Ethical Education Program, the Azadi Fellowship Program for Promoting Dialogue and Coexistence, and the Bridges We Build Program, along with a range of initiatives that provide platforms for dialogue, the exchange of ideas and experiences, and the development of young people’s capacities to contribute to peacebuilding and to combating hatred and extremism.
The Muslim Council of Elders calls upon religious, educational, cultural, and media institutions to play an active role in strengthening young people’s awareness of human and moral values, protecting them from extremist, hateful, and intolerant narratives, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage responsibly and thoughtfully with digital platforms and emerging technologies. The Council also highlights the importance of harnessing these tools to promote knowledge and foster greater understanding and closer ties among peoples and cultures.