Americas

G20 Interfaith Summit

Interfaith Dialogue and Recommendations for World Leaders Tackling Today’s Migration Challenges at the Upcoming G20 Summit in Germany

June 16th, 2017
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Every year, the G20 Interfaith Summit occurs just weeks before the official G20 forum where world leaders gather to discuss the most pressing global economic issues. This year’s theme of the interfaith summit is “Religion, Sustainable Development and the Global Refugee Crisis.” The objective is to convene various faith leaders, activists and organizers who are leading sustainable community programs to foster dialogue and promote peace around the world through meaningful interaction. This year’s summit is timely in its effort to explore the role of religion and social integration in today’s refugee crisis, and what that means for countries around the world accepting refugees.

As a young person actively engaging in international initiatives about the importance of involving more youth in policy creation and global campaigns, as well as the leader of the former ‘No Lost Generation” Berlin chapter for refugees led by the U.S. Department of State, it was critical for me to speak on the intersection of interfaith dialogue, youth leadership and building sustainable and heartfelt relationships refugee communities.

The panel included several other youth leaders and community organizers working in France, the UK, Bangladesh and Germany on youth-led programs to foster better understanding and empathy in communities grappling with religious diversity.  The most important conclusions and recommendations to the G20 leaders from our conversation include: listen before taking action, let young people lead and not just participate and educate by actively engaging with others.