ACWAY defines “youth” as those persons between the ages of 16 and 40 without prejudice to other definitions. As an intentional means to actively involve youth in decision-making spaces, and as a deliberate agenda, ACWAY upholds the following points:
- Youth should be included from the start of the process and be actively involved in decision-making processes.
- The right support and training should be provided to youth (and youth organizations), where needed, in order to effectively work in different sectors and levels of society.
- Resources (financial and otherwise) should be identified and secured for young people/youth organizations in order to facilitate their effective involvement at Interfaith Forums as well as in delivering local community projects
- Meaningful and weight-bearing roles should be created and reserved for youth in different decision-making spaces and interfaith platforms
Recommendations to involve youth at the G20 Interfaith Forum
- Young people need to be a critical part of the planning processes ahead of the Forum, such as on Working Groups and the organising team
- Young people should be given space to contribute across a number of topics in the programme (in panels/plenaries and other sessions). Within the category of Youth, there is the intentional inclusion of those from minority communities/groups. There should be the following included in the programming as part of the main forum:
- A Youth Panel slotted at an appropriate place in the programme.
- An Intergenerational Dialogue Panel consisting of ‘elders’ and young people to share experiences and ideas.
- For young people to speak at more than just the youth panel (on other panels where possible)
- To select young people to take on additional support roles such as Chairs/Co-chairs, MCs, ushers and similar administrative/logistical roles.
- Youth-only space for engagement, networking, connection and dialogue. This can take on several formats from formal youth fora to side events and meetings.