Conflicts between communities are fuelled by intolerance and miscommunication. We live in an age where young people are still taking the lives of other young people over religious differences. In addition, divisive rhetoric from political leaders is bringing extremism, segregation and violence into the mainstream.
One Young World seeks to promote the voices of leaders who are proposing solutions to the most pressing issues facing people all over the world. Intolerance of race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, age and caste make our world a more dangerous place. Building a more tolerant society within nation states and between nation states will come from grassroots solutions.
Maajid Nawaz, former Islamic extremist, founder of Quilliam
Maajid is the founder of Quilliam, the world’s first counter-extremism think tank set up to address the unique challenges of citizenship, identity, and belonging in a globalised world. Quilliam stands for religious freedom, equality, human rights and democracy.
Maajid challenges what we think, and the way we think. His organisaiton, Quilliam, aims to generate creative, informed and inclusive discussions to counter the ideological underpinnings of terrorism, whilst simultaneously providing evidence-based recommendations to governments for related policy measures.
Noam Shouster, Interpeace, Israel/Palestine
Noam grew up in Oasis of Peace, a small community next to Jerusalem. It's the only place where Jews and Palestinians live together by choice, with an equal education system. Her mother is an Iranian Jew and her father's parents are Holocaust survivors from Romania.
Noam works for Interpeace, an NGO that works with populations that are normally excluded from the peace process and are potential 'peace spoilers'. They engage with right-wing religious leaders, with representatives of the Russian-speaking population and with Palestinians living inside Israel.
François Reyes, Reveil Citoyen, France
François is commited to peaceful civic discourse and community cohesion. In the wake of the Paris Attacks, he speaks about responses to extremism. As President & Founder of Réveil Citoyen, Francois and his teams have created the first French Think Tank that is composed of "everyday" people and acts not only as a centre for reflection, but it also has a strong influence on policy makers as it represents the views of the majority of French citizens and works as a lobby for politicians.
Every month, Reveil Citoyen organises debates all over France and is able to touch thousands and thousands of people by bringing them together to learn from each other at the debates. By confronting opposing opinions, he aims to tear apart the growing trend of extremism in France, and perhaps in greater Europe. Francois served for two years as a security advisor at the OECD and, as a result, is extremely passionate about the growing trend of extremism in Europe.
Arizza Nocum, Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library, Philippines
Arizza is the Overall Head of the Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library (or Christian-Muslim Peace Library) in the Philippines. The organisation promotes community cohesion and educational opportunity in underserved areas that have experienced ethnic and religious conflict. They have provided over 50,000 books to schools in remote communities.
The initiative has built 6 libraries in areas of the country that have experienced conflict; including slum areas and mixed cultural communities. Each library provides vital books, computers and educational resources for the local population. The libraries have developed into hubs where Muslim and Christian communities come to read together, learn together, study together and make lasting friendships.
The Northern Ireland Peace Process with Martin McAleese, Jackie MacDonald and Sean Murray
The Northern Ireland conflict was a result of tensions between Catholic and Protestant communities who disagree about whether Northern Ireland should be a part of the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom. The conflict claimed over 3,600 lives in Northern Ireland over a period of 30 years.
Reformed Ulster Defence Association paramilitary brigadier Jackie McDonald joined former IRA commander Sean Murray on stage at the One Young World Summit 2014 in Dublin Ireland, to discuss the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Martin McAleese is a Republic of Ireland Senator who was instrumental in bringing Protestant paramilitary groups to peace talks with their Catholic adversaries.
