7 December 2007

Young leaders of the religious communities of South-East Asia, Australia and Europe meet on embracing diversity

Australia and the European Union hosted the inaugural Regional Youth Interfaith Forum from 4 -6 December in Perth, Australia to promote understanding and encourage personal links between young leaders of the diverse religious communities in South-East Asia, Australia and Europe.

Discussions were focused on the Forum theme, “Embracing Diversity: Delivering messages of understanding”. Participants discussed the role of Government and the media in facilitating mutual respect and harmony amongst diverse religious community and the responsibility of youth in promoting understanding.

Youth leaders freely and openly discussed some of the challenges facing the world today and set about developing practical strategies aimed at promoting harmony and peace within their communities and across the world.

Practical recommendations for ways to achieve these aims were put forward and will be followed up at the next Regional Youth Interfaith Forum which is envisaged for 2008-2009 in Europe.

European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who agreed to launch the Regional Youth Interfaith Forum with the Australian Government during her visit to Australia in June 2007, said “It is highly important to reach out to young people and offer them a broad understanding of the existing variety of cultures. Young people are the most vulnerable target for radical messages and extremism, but they are also the standard bearers of hope – which is why it is so important to learn to understand each other better”.

“Both the EU and Australia are committed to overcoming violent extremism in any form and to building bridges among communities,” the Commissioner said.

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Updated December 18, 2007