Global Youth Summit for Freedom of Religion or Belief
Toward a future of social harmony
October 19-20, 2023 on Zoom
We live in an era of conflict. From partisan arguments ruining family gatherings, to genocide destroying entire communities, the world is suffering from a severe lack of respect for different beliefs.
To build a future of respect for all, we need more peacemakers, with better strategies, and more support.
For this purpose, The First Freedom Foundation, along with the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), and Boat People SOS, are hosting the Global Youth Summit for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) this October 19-20, 2023. This 25 hour virtual gathering will employ Open Space Technology to empower the next generation of leaders to build a future where everyone can enjoy freedom of religion or belief.
About Open Space
Open Space Technology is a highly-effective system for organizing large groups of people with a shared goal. It fosters a dynamic, participant-led gathering where participants create their own agenda, self-select into subgroups to engage in interactive conversations, and then share summaries of their conversations with the full group.
This proven approach has been used over 60,000 times in 124 countries, including at NASA and Google Ventures. Its participatory nature makes it an ideal tool for achieving the goals of the summit. It is also well-suited to virtual events.
See here for more information about Open Space.
Our Goals
Before
Increase and Expand: We aim to increase both the number and variety of young FoRB activists.
During
Connect and Collaborate: We seek to connect advocates with decades of experience with newcomers who have fresh ideas, to forge powerful collaborations.
After
Support and Sustain: We will equip youth-led projects with technical tools, comprehensive training, and essential funding, to set them up for success.
Our Strategy
We will invite the Zoom limit of 1,000 FoRB advocates to a 25-hour virtual “un-conference” where participants will set their own agenda and self-organize into breakout groups. Invitations to participate will be issued strategically to maximize diversity.
Invitations
Youth participants (ages 18-34):
We will select youth participants to represent the widest possible range of religious, cultural, and geographic backgrounds, with a priority for those with unique skills or experience to contribute, and a demonstrated commitment to FoRB. To ensure that this is a youth-driven event, 80% of the total seats will be reserved for young people.
Young Mentors: (ages 18-40)
We will also invite young people who already have deep experience in the FoRB movement to serve as mentors. These young FoRB champions know better than anyone what it is like to work in this movement as a Millennial or Zoomer.
Mentors (ages 41+):
We will also invite 200 “former youth” to participate as mentors. Mentors will be selected based on:
- enthusiasm for mentoring,
- deep institutional wisdom in FoRB,
- expertise in a country or countries of particular concern, or with less-developed FoRB movements,
- representation of minority religious groups
- diversity of skills and resources, particularly technologists, business-leaders, film-makers, philanthropists, lawmakers, and cultural influencers.
After the Summit
Open Space is powerful because of its ability to transform talk into action. Conversations that begin by sharing information naturally turn to “What can we do about it?”
We expect that the Global Youth Summit will produce new plans, partnerships, and projects. The trick is in implementing those plans, and then making the action sustainable.
To make this summit a long-term success, we will:
- Open new channels for each discussion group inside the secure FoRB Forum app, so participants can continue the conversation after the event has ended.
- Create a fund for youth-led projects which can be supported by the First Freedom Foundation's incubator/accelerator program.
- Select some of the most promising participants to become FoRB Fellows where they will receive additional training as well as hands-on experience
- Encourage partner organizations to start their own fellowships, internship programs, youth-focused and/or youth-led trainings and events
- Ask mentors to communicate regularly with their mentees for at least one year after the conclusion of the summit.
The Global Youth Summit may become an annual gathering, or maybe it will evolve as different needs and opportunities are identified. But the goal is to build a movement, not an event.
How you can get involved
Apply to participate
Although space in the conference is limited, we are still looking for young people and certain categories of mentors who want to create a future of freedom of religion or belief for all. For those who are not accepted, we will stay in touch with other opportunities to get involved, such as by joining in the conversation on the FoRB Forum app before, during, and after the event.
Nominate youth or prospective mentors
If you know someone under 35 who is passionate about freedom of religion or belief and is eager to make a positive impact in the world, and/or someone who would make an excellent mentor who is passionate about FoRB but works outside of traditional FoRB advocacy (such as technologists, business-leaders, film-makers, philanthropists, lawmakers, or cultural influencers), please fill out the "Nominations" form or send them to this webpage.
Financial support or sponsorship
Consider partnering with us to build a future of freedom of religion or belief for all. All financial contributions will go toward youth-led initiatives either initiated or developed during the Global Youth Summit.
Together, we can empower the next generation to create a world where people from all faiths and none can live together in mutual respect and social harmony.
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