Young Interfaith Dialogue

Youth Forum of Religions

Religion moves people, especially during the phase of identity formation. For young people, discussing and exploring religions and their own spirituality together helps them find their own stance and become visible with their convictions. For this reason, the Global Ethic Foundation supports the exchange among young religious actors as well as the dialogue between them, politicians, and representatives of religious communities.

Would you like to strengthen cooperation with young believers in your community? Are you, as a representative of a youth initiative, interested in the work of the Youth Forum of Religions?

RELIGIOUS YOUTH SHAPING THE FUTURE

Tasks and Goals

Currently, about 15 to 20 people aged 16 to 26 are members of the Youth Forum of Religions. They represent statewide religious youth initiatives such as the Protestant Youth Association (EJW), DITIB Baden, or the Jewish Student Union Württemberg (JSUW). Representatives from the Baden-Württemberg State Youth Council and the umbrella organization of youth city councils are also part of the forum.

In addition to exchange and networking, the Youth Forum’s central task is to bring the socio-political concerns of young believers from Baden-Württemberg to politicians and representatives of religious communities. This takes place at the annual state congress of the Councils of Religions in Baden-Württemberg. In the future, representatives of the Youth Forum are also expected to be represented at the Round Table of Religions in Baden-Württemberg.

Goals of the Youth Forum:

Raising awareness of issues affecting religious youth, such as holidays, prayer rooms, and schools
Strengthening the participation of religious minorities
Making democracy learnable and tangible
Making self-efficacy tangible on a socio-political level
Thematic exchange and interfaith dialogue
Solidarity and visibility for the general public, for example through joint statements

“I meet many people who define their identity through exclusion. But it’s so much more beautiful to celebrate what we have in common and to see the world in new colors through the perspectives of others.”

Arne Käfer, Protestant Youth Association

“Looking to the future, it is above all the youth who bear the responsibility to contribute to the well-being of society. Central to this are partnerships aimed at achieving common goals. These partnerships begin by meeting one another, exchanging ideas, and consulting together.”

Rafael Rohrhuber, Youth Team of the Regional Council of the Baha’i Community of Southern Germany

Establish an active network

Encounters & Networking

For the first time, young religious people met in July 2023 in Tübingen for the Youth Forum of Religions. Participants included representatives from statewide and regional youth organizations of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith communities, as well as from the umbrella organization of youth city councils in Baden-Württemberg.

They developed content-related and organizational foundations to establish the Youth Forum of Religions as a sustainable network. The focus was on encounters and networking, as well as the question of the visibility of religions and the socio-political concerns of the participants.

COMING TOGETHER IN DIALOGUE

EMPOWERMENT FOR STRONGER TOGETHERNESS

At the interfaith summer festival hosted by the Youth Forum, over 30 young people from religious and non-religious youth organizations came together. Through conversations about faith, identity, and responsibility, a space emerged where diversity gave rise to a new kind of connection.

The festival made one thing clear: young people are eager to take on responsibility and help shape a diverse society. All they need is the opportunity.

Get Involved and Become a Member

Interested?

Büşra Çebi

Youth Forum Phone: +49 (0)7071 400 53 - 11
EMail: cebi@weltethos.org

Interfaith cooperation project