Constituting over 1.3 billion of the world’s population, the youth of today are increasingly being perceived as a powerful untapped wave of creativity and determination capable of finding solutions to some of today’s most complex challenges and building a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.

The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement is committed to supporting this essential process, promoting youth as catalysts for change and providing them with the tools and opportunities to implement their visions for peace and positively affect the lives of their families, communities and nations.

It is in this context the Movement organized the International Youth Forum “The Power of Youth for Peace”, from September 1-3, in Sharm El Sheikh – Egypt’s City of Peace. This youth inspired, organized and run event brought together over 800 youth and 400 adults from 100 different countries, to share ideas and perspectives on ways and ideas to eliminate violence and build a more peaceful and sustainable world. It offered all the participants an opportunity to go beyond the confines of age and gender, build bridges across cultural divides.

In preparation for this event, the Movement and its youth volunteers worked extremely hard to reach out to young minds from around the globe, listening to their stories and channelling their advice into all aspects of the organizational process. This insight was used to select a wide range of topics, which focus on peace in its broadest and most holistic sense, taking into consideration the imperatives of human security, development, human rights and justice. The topics selected for the Forum sessions addressed the present efforts being taken by many in building a Culture of Peace, to promote healthier, safer and more productive societies, to protect and enrich their environment.

They explored the eclectic nature of youth leadership and participation, as well as the critical role of Media and Information and Communication Technologies in advancing social causes and empowering communities.

 During the closing ceremony, H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak invited participants to become the founding members of the Movement’s first International Youth Network. This network’s aim is to maintain the momentum of the Forum, strengthening partnerships between young people working for peace, enhancing their skills, promoting their objectives, and engaging them in the implementation of joint programs and initiatives.

Another important outcome of the Forum was the launch of the Movement’s “Cyber Peace Initiative,” which aims to systematically empower the efforts of young people in fostering peace through the infinite power of Information and Communication Technologies. The initiative encompasses six different tracks with activities ranging from e-peace contests to peace youth camps and the creation of a youth focus group for internet safety.

The Power of Youth for Peace International Forum