| |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| UNESCO meeting in Bahrain will consider ways to counter violent radicalization of youth |
|
| Over 100 specialists and young people from all of the world’s regions will meet in Bahrain from 15-17 June to look at ways of dissuading youth from engaging in violent, radical behaviour. The meeting, organized by UNESCO, will showcase community-based projects and best practices that constructively engage youth and foster conditions that provide young people with positive options for their own future. |
|
News 5 of 9
 An inaugural event highlighting the country’s culture, in the presence of His Royal Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, will be held on the evening of 15 June at the Bahraini National Museum. In addition, Colombian musician César López, inventor of an instrument named “escopetarra” (a guitar made from a rifle as a peace symbol), will perform with Steady Bongo, singer from Sierra Leone.
The first plenary session will be opened by H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, together with UNESCO's Deputy Director-General, Marcio Barbosa. Joseph G. Jabbra , President of the Lebanese American University (Beirut), will serve as the meeting’s overall Chairman.
About 100 project representatives will participate, as well as Andrés Pastrana, former President of Colombia ; Kerri L. Briggs, U.S Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education; Beate Winkler, the European Union’s Adviser for European Policy- intercultural dialogue; Anwarul Chowdhury from Bangladesh, former United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries; and Egyptian film producer Mohammed Gohar. Participants will also include non-governmental organizations, foundations, the private sector, local, regional and national governments, and young people themselves.
The meeting aims to share experiences of best practices and to sensitize policy- and decision-makers (at community, national, regional and international levels) about the risks of youth’s exploitation for violent radical purposes. Alternative solutions will be sought for youth to engage positively in their communities, as well as ways to develop more partnerships between private and public actors.
The presentations and discussions at the meeting will come together in a “Bahrain Message to the World’s Youth”, which will set out a catalogue of best practices, strategies, partnerships and measures to tackle the global challenge of violent radicalization of youth.
An exhibitor/kiosk “Partners’ Forum” will be organized, as well as parallel debates and presentations focusing on strategies to promote youth-specific educational solutions, media activities, and physical education and sports projects, aimed at building young people’s self-identity and practical skills.
*****
The meeting “Youth@the Crossroads - a future without violent radicalization” will be held at the Hotel Crowne Plaza in Manama (Bahrain).
Contact: FW (Russ) Russell-Rivoallan, f.russell@unesco.org
Related Links
|
|
|
| Author(s) |
UNESCO Media Advisory 2008-37 |
| Publication Date |
10-06-2008 |
| Source |
UNESCO PRESS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Email this page  Printable version
|
|
|
|
