First Edition of the Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF)
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Date: 07 August 2018 - 07 December 2018
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Location
: London, United Kingdom
The Muslim Council of Elders and Al-Azhar organized the inaugural Emerging Peacemakers Forum (EPF) in collaboration with the Archbishop of Canterbury, held at Churchill College, University of Cambridge. The forum included a training program that ran from July 8 to 19, 2018.
The forum brought together 25 young participants from the Arab world, selected by Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders, and 25 from Europe, chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury in London. Participants were chosen based on several key criteria:
- Age: 20 to 25 years old.
- Active involvement in community, student, cultural, or religious activities.
- Proficiency in English.
- Strong communication skills to ensure active participation in the forum.
- Active engagement on social media platforms.
The forum concluded with a closing ceremony at Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Justin Welby. His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders, along with Dr. Welby, honored the students at the end of the event, which ran from July 8 to 19, 2018.
Objectives of the First Edition of the EPF
The First Edition aimed to develop a practical plan to coordinate efforts in addressing contemporary issues where youth play a pivotal role, such as peaceful coexistence, integration, citizenship, and combating extremist ideologies. The forum sought to generate ideas and initiatives through two days of youth-led workshops, with relevant institutions adopting and supporting these initiatives and creating action plans for future implementation. This effort was envisioned as the foundation of a global youth network, bringing together young individuals with determination and vision from around the world to contribute to building a better and more peaceful future.
Additionally, young leaders who had successfully implemented impactful initiatives in their communities were invited to share their experiences, offering valuable lessons on how these successes could be applied and expanded across both East and West.
Outcomes of the First Edition of the EPF:
1. An open dialogue between the participating youth and religious leaders, including His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders, and Dr. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. The goal was for religious leaders to hear the perspectives, experiences, initiatives, and proposals of the youth, with the intention of having religious institutions adopt, support, and explore practical ways to implement and expand these ideas for the benefit of both East and West.
2. The establishment of a global network of young peacebuilders to engage in initiatives and activities supported by Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Canterbury. These young leaders, along with their peers worldwide, will work on initiatives aimed at creating a better world where peace and goodwill prevail.
For more information about the EPF, please visit the forum’s official website.
