FORUM OF YOUNG RELIGIOUS LEADERS
During the work of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2022, its participants unanimously expressed their support for youth and the holding of Forums of Young Religious Leaders within the framework of the Congress in order to ensure the continuity of generations in order to ensure that the next generation of leaders also interact, contribute to the solution of global problems of humanity.
This initiative is reflected in the document approved at the XXI Secretariat of the Congress – Concept of Development of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023-2023. It should be reminded that the Concept was adopted on the initiative of the President of the country Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The participants of the Congress are interested in the continuity of interreligious and intercultural dialogue by involving in the Forum's activities a wide range of young people – representatives of different confessions, international and public organizations, promising young scientists and politicians.
The main purpose of the Forum is to create a platform for dialogue and exchange of youth achievements, as well as to discuss the most pressing problems faced by the younger generation.
Forum on the topic: Forming a Common Future: The Role of Young Leaders in Strengthening Interreligious Dialogue is held on October 9 this year in Astana.
The Forum will include discussions on the role of young religious leaders in the sustainable development of the world and the significance of religion in the era of new technologies, which will be addressed in breakout sessions.
The religious palette of the Forum participants includes: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Shintoism.
The Forum will start with a visit to interactive side events such as Info-zone, Art-zone, Book-zone, Fair-zone.
Info-zone. In this zone the exchange of information is provided. Guests of the Forum get acquainted with the history of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and its institutions, as well as make presentations of their scientific works and activities of organizations.
Art-zone. The platform where participants are offered to participate in creation of joint painting “Bir galam - bir kalam” – “One canvas - one brush”, which will be later transferred to the Museum of Peace and Harmony.
Book-zone. This zone is intended for familiarization with the works of famous authors on the topic of interconfessional dialogue, as well as for the presentation by the participants of the Forum of their scientific works and books.
Fair-zone. Exhibition zone of children's drawings on the theme of peace and spirituality.
The opening of the Forum was marked by the demonstration of a thematic documentary film: Faith in the Age of Change.
During the breakout sessions of the Forum, the role of young religious leaders in the sustainable development of the world and the importance of religion in the era of new technologies are discussed.
At the end of the Forum sessions, the final document of the Forum - the Declaration of Young Religious Leaders - is announced, which voices new messages for international dialog and joint actions based on the principles of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding.
