iDove Hybrid Int’l Youth Conference concludes successfully

iDove Hybrid Int’l Youth Conference concluded at the Goldi Sands Hotel Negombo recently. The iDove was launched by the African Union Commission’s Directorate of Citizens and other Organizations (AUC-CIDO) and the Deutsche Geselleschaft für Internationale Zussamenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation with a view to foster innovative youth-based interventions using dialogue and soft skills to create agents of change for inter-religious coexistence and harmony in society. In Sri Lanka, this programme was implemented in partnership with National Fisheries Solidarity (NAFSO), National Peace Council (NPC) and Viluthu, three civil society organizations. Over 300 youth across the country and overseas participated in this process, which encouraged youth leadership. “Only when we relate to one another beyond the differences of religion and ethnicity or race, do we embrace our humanity”, said an iDove Youth Ambassador.

Young people from Sri Lanka, Uganda, the Philippines and Kenya came together over two days to learn from each other and raise awareness on this important issue. Creative arts, a strategy for mediating complex topics and finding common ground were also a primary feature at the conference. During the conference, the Guest of Honour, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Sri Lanka, Olaf Malchow, said that the need for youth initiatives for change, especially as global conflicts were increasing around the world. He observed how youth are often undermined and neglected and iDove in that way offered them the potential to be informed, stay actively engaged and share lessons learned and best practices and amplify each other’s voice for change.