Kazakhstan's Parliament Emphasizes Youth Opinions in International Peace Discourse
Young Religious Leaders Gather in Astana to Discuss Global Issues
The Second Forum of Young Religious Leaders took place on Sep. 18, as part of the Eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, Kazakhstan. The forum was opened by Maulen Ashimbayev, who heads the Secretariat of the Congress.
Ivan Ivanov, one of the participants, highlighted the underrepresentation of young people in policymaking, given that they make up the majority of the global population. He stressed the importance of education in equipping young people with a moral compass, ideals, and creativity, and encouraging them to ask difficult questions, seek freedom of thought, and balance knowledge with values.
Education was also seen as a means to foster tolerance and respect, with Ivanov emphasizing the importance of intergenerational dialogue for young people to learn from the past and shape a better future.
Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized the need to empower young leaders to address key global issues, and praised the innovation, responsibility, and energy of young leaders in shaping the future of peace and development. He also underlined the importance of strengthening the identity of Muslim youth, protecting them from exclusion and negative influences, and building their capacity for communication across cultures.
Abdullatif Yosef Almutlaq, under-secretary general for legal affairs of the Muslim World League, spoke about the responsibilities shared by religious communities in confronting global crises. He praised Kazakhstan as a living example of peaceful coexistence, where diverse ethnic and religious groups thrive together.
The institutions involved in adopting the final document at the Congress of World and Traditional Religions in Astana include delegates representing various world and traditional religions, convened at the invitation of the Kazakh government. The document reflects their joint commitment and is intended to be submitted to the United Nations General Assembly. The cooperation spans religious leaders and international bodies engaged in global challenges such as climate change, human rights, minority and refugee protection, and concerns about artificial intelligence misuse. The Congress also proposed a subsequent congress to be held in Astana in 2028.
The participants of the congress adopted a declaration addressing global challenges, outlining potential solutions, appeals to the international community, and proposing the next congress in Astana in 2028. This declaration will be presented at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The congress concluded with a document that proposes holding the next congress in Astana in 2028.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opened the Eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions the day before, emphasizing the need for religious leaders to work together to address global challenges. The forum was a testament to the ongoing efforts of Kazakhstan to promote peace, dialogue, and understanding among different religious groups.
