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About the Forum

FORUM OF YOUNG RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The Forum of Young Religious Leaders is an international youth platform established within the framework of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to ensure the continuity of interreligious and intercultural dialogue by engaging a broad range of young people, including representatives of different faiths, international and civil society organizations, promising young scholars and politicians. The involvement of young leaders in the activities of the Congress is essential to preserving the traditions of interfaith dialogue in the years to come.

ORIGINS OF THE FORUM

The first Forum of Young Religious Leaders was held on 9 October 2024 in Astana as a new youth platform within the framework of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

The idea of the Forum received official support during the VII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2022, when the participants unanimously supported greater youth engagement and the regular organization of Forums of Young Religious Leaders within the framework of the Congress.

This decision was enshrined in the “Development Concept Congress of  the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023–2033”, adopted at the 21st Meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kasym-Jomart Tokaev.

The Concept emphasized the need to ensure intergenerational continuity in interreligious and intercultural dialogue, enabling the next generation of leaders to actively engage in dialogue and contribute to addressing global challenges facing humanity.

The initiative was aimed at engaging a broad range of young people in the Forum, including representatives of different faiths, international and civil society organizations, promising young scholars and politicians.

Thus, the Forum became a logical continuation of the Congress’s longstanding work and an instrument for advancing the objective of ensuring the continuity of interreligious dialogue through youth engagement.

OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM

  • To create a platform for dialogue and the exchange of achievements among young people, as well as for discussing the most pressing challenges facing the younger generation;
  • To strengthen the continuity of interreligious and intercultural dialogue through the engagement of a new generation of spiritual and public leaders;
  • To develop joint initiatives by young leaders in response to global technological, environmental, social and ethical challenges. 

KEY PRIORITIES

  • Promoting peace, mutual respect and tolerance as the foundation for interaction among young people of different religions and cultures;
  • Preventing the use of religious identity to incite conflicts, particularly among young people;
  • Developing a culture of open dialogue, trust and cooperation among young leaders of religious communities;
  • Ensuring the transmission of the values and experience of the older generation of religious leaders through direct engagement with young people.

TASKS OF THE FORUM

  • Organizing regular meetings of young religious leaders within the framework of the Congresses and as standalone events;
  • Establishing a permanent youth platform/network to coordinate initiatives and projects in the field of interreligious dialogue;
  • Cooperating with international organizations, including the UN, the Alliance of Civilizations, UNESCO, the OSCE, Religions for Peace, the World Islamic League, the Muslim Council of Elders and others, on issues related to youth, peace and dialogue;
  • Expanding participation formats by engaging not only young clergy, but also scholars, experts, politicians, media representatives and youth organizations;
  • Sharing experience and best practices in preventing religious and cultural conflicts among young people;
  • Developing digital and media literacy among young leaders in the areas of religion, ethics and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. 

CHRONOLOGY OF THE FORUM

From 2024 to 2026, two Forums of Young Religious Leaders were held in Astana. These meetings have become a significant international platform for dialogue among young representatives of different religious traditions, scholars, experts and public figures.

The Forums brought together representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and other faiths, as well as international and civil society organizations, including UN system entities, the Alliance of Civilizations, national religious organizations and youth movements.

Participants included young spiritual leaders, scholars of religion, representatives of government bodies, politicians, experts in digital technologies and artificial intelligence, journalists and activists from youth organizations.

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