Violations of people’s right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) – the right to hold, change and manifest one’s beliefs – are particularly common in times of conflict, where they can be both consequences and drivers of violence. At the same time, 40% of people living in conflict settings are youth – yet a majority of initiatives to promote and protect FoRB have focused on religious leaders, who are largely older men. While there has been growing recognition of the importance of including women, their perspectives and experiences in FoRB work, so far the same has not happened for young people. Considering initiatives like the Global YPS Coalition or Fridays for Future show just how much youth can achieve, it’s clear that FoRB spaces – and (inter)religious ones more broadly – can benefit greatly from the drive and ideas of young people.

Following two major international convenings on FoRB this summer – the Ministerial Conference on Freedom or Religion or Belief and the International Religious Freedom Summit, both of which saw efforts to include youth, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the below questions:

• Do you also feel meaningful inclusion of youth on religious issues such as FoRB would be a good thing? Why?
• What do you see as the key challenges and opportunities young people face when they try to engage in FoRB spaces?
• What can decision makers (religious leaders, government authorities, regional and international organisations, etc.) do to include young people, their opinions, ideas and concerns, into FoRB spaces?
• What are young people already doing to increase their engagement in FoRB spaces? What can they do to prevent and/or mitigate their exclusion or their tokenisation?

On Thursday 6 October between 4-4:45pm CET, we’ll also be discussing these questions and more during our Thursday Talk with young people from Iraq, Nigeria and beyond! You can register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1303103124263011856?source=forb