Berkley Center

While the centrality of youth in shifting cultural dynamics is far more recognized today than ever before, youth engagement in traditional religious structures has begun to fade in most parts of the world. The realities exposed by this trend demand a nuanced and sophisticated exploration of the status of youth engagement with religion and faith in the twenty-first century. To what extent is youth activism fueled by the moral and ethical systems presented through their religious institutions? In what ways do religious worldviews (whether their own or distinct) form youth understanding of their own place in the world and inform their interactions with it? What spiritual or religious expressions have become central to youth ‘religiosity’ that hitherto has been considered distinct from traditional religious engagement?

This event brought together youth leaders, faith leaders, and top research and education institutions to discuss the theme of youth engagement with religion and faith, focusing on the interaction of youth and faith along with the sub-themes of peacebuilding, environment, and humanitarianism.

This event was co-sponsored by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and Religions for Peace (RfP) in collaboration with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC); the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA); the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA); the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas; Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Georgetown University; and the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University.