Young Voices
Young Leaders Programme
Issue 21, Spring/Summer 2009
Last year, from the 24th to the 29th of November, the United Religions Initiative (URI), an international Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to ending religiously motivated violence and promoting cultures of peace, justice and healing, held its first international Young Leaders Programme ahead of its Global Assembly in India.
The event took place in the small Temple town of Mayapur, about 150 kilometres from Kolkata. Mayapur is the home to the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), best known in the UK through the membership of George Harrison. One of URI’s former trustees, the late Dr. T.D. Singh, was a member of ISKCON and it was his wish that URI meet there. Consequently, much of the programme was dedicated to his memory.
Over 100 young leaders representing over 14 faith traditions from 35 different countries came together to share their dreams, ideas and stories through a series of discussions, workshops and activities. A wealth of events reflecting on the role of youth in global interfaith action took place during the week as the young people shaped a vision for future action in developing a peaceful and coherent world. There was even time for a football tournament! In an ironically symbolic result, the interfaith team triumphed over the mono-faith ISKCON team!
Young Leaders also had the opportunity of going to a local school to plant trees and create an artistic mural with the children. This was one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme and the children were full of life and fun.
As it transpired, the conference took place at a highly significant time: during our stay there, we received word that terrorists had attacked parts of Mumbai. Naturally, families were concerned and there were many calls home, but the events affirmed the young leaders’ determination to make a positive change in the world. They wrote an open interfaith letter [which follows] to the leaders of the world in response and this has been sent to embassies, governments and presented to the Office of the Secretary-General of the UN.
As the youth programme led into the main Assembly, the youth continued to contribute towards shaping global interfaith action by their participation in the main programme.
On the following pages you will find how two young leaders and myself reflect on our time there, and also on the concept of ‘the sanctity of life’ in our religious traditions.
