Remarks by
the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Closing of the OIC Young Leaders Summit
“Unity in action: for peace and justice through sustainable development”
Istanbul, 12-13 April 2016
I am very pleased to be here today, on the occasion of the closing of the OIC Youth Summit of the Islamic Summit of the Heads of States.
I wish to congratulate the organizers for this successful event and for making youth an integral part of the discussions of the Summit.
As High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, it was refreshing to see that the objectives of this Summit are very close to those we pursue in the organization I lead, where we work with young women and men to promote unity despite differences through intercultural and interfaith dialogue in order to ensure a more just and peaceful future from which no one is excluded.
The Summit topics are also closely connected to the theme of the 7th UNAOC Global Forum, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in less than two weeks. During this Forum, the conversation will focus on Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal. 150 young people from around the world have been selected to take part in this global conversation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to congratulate our young leaders present today. You can be proud of what has brought you here: Your passion and commitment to create a better world, your leadership motivating others to do the same. But it is your ability to listen to each other and to collaborate that makes any of this positive action possible. Without this openness and tolerance, nothing is possible.
I have no doubt that you have learned a lot during these past days. May the world also learn from you, by listening to your voice and perspective on key issues that uniquely affect your generation. I think you will agree with me that the global community cannot find solutions without listening to the voices and experiences of ALL. To understand our world better we must look at it from different angles and perspectives.
This is something we firmly believe in at the Alliance of Civilizations.
We also believe that the primary of agents of change—not just in the future—but in our present ARE young people. Our projects and programs are built around this principle.
Through our Fellowship program, we sponsor every year young people from the Middle East, Europe and North America to experience immersive visits in each other’s regions. This program enables participants to understand other cultures and traditions, to believe in the importance of living with the others and to encourage them to reject any type of violence. It empowers them to better fight Islamophobia and the East-West divide as they go back to communities where they are emerging as leaders.
We also organize a video festival called Plural Plus, which celebrates young filmmakers who creatively address critical issues affecting our world. This youth video festival acts as an international platform that amplifies young people’s voices on migration, diversity and social inclusion.
Another important program of UNAOC is the Youth Solidarity Fund, which provides youth-led organizations that foster peaceful and inclusive societies with direct funding to implement outstanding projects promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue. This year, we funded projects in Africa and the Middle East, in areas affected by tensions, conflicts and violent extremism. They are focusing on improving intercultural relationships through online citizen journalism, engaging faith-based organizations and training for tolerance and collaboration between groups of different faiths, languages and cultures.
Established in 2008, the Fund responded to calls for action made by youth-led organizations around the world on the importance of establishing funding mechanisms for youth. Today, the Fund is more relevant than ever: As the global agenda increasingly speaks of youth’s participation and contribution to peace, development and security, it is critical to support this participation and contribution through funding and partnership opportunities.
At the Alliance of Civilizations, we know from our experience of supporting youth-led initiatives on the ground that peaceful and inclusive societies cannot be sustainably built without the participation and engagement of young people.
But we are not the only ones to know this. In recent years, and in 2015 especially, the community of Member States has shown a new commitment to engage and support young people. They adopted Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
This is the first resolution that specifically addresses the role of young people in issues of peace and security. It is groundbreaking because it focuses not only on the devastating impact of armed conflicts on youth but also the crucial role that youth play in managing conflict and establishing peace processes.
Let us keep this commitment. Let us pick up the momentum. I urge Member States to work together and to work with youth in keeping this promise.
Let us not just talk about youth. Let us work WITH youth in true solidarity.
Dear young leaders, your recommendations address areas of concern and present solutions. In receiving these recommendations, I would like to encourage heads of State to remember their role when it comes to youth development and empowerment. May they listen to you, work with you and support you.
I thank you.