(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The youth should be given enough opportunity to actively participate in decisionmaking towards achieving peaceful societies, said panellists at Empower 2015 conference yesterday.
"We should find enough space for young people on the decisionmaking table. They bring unique ideas and perspectives that adults don't have," said Steve Culbertson, President and CEO, Youth Service America (YSA).
Included in NonProfit Times' list of 50 most powerful and influential leaders, Culbertson is the driving force behind YSA, an international organisation that partners with thousands of organisations that provide volunteer opportunities for youth around the world.
"The youth are not the future leaders; they are the leaders of today. Young people don't live in the future; they live in the present," he told the 450-strong young audience at Reach Out To Asia's (ROTA) annual youth-led conference.
He stressed the need for young people to take part in solving some of the most pressing problems that concern and affect the youth of today by channelling their "energy, idealism and creativity."
"You have to find your passion and use it to change the world," he said.
Farahnaz Yousif, an international youth participant, said young people should choose something they are passionate about, learn and teach it to others.
Lewis Lewis, Deputy Project Manager, Active Qatar Campaign, underscored the importance of sport in "building the character of individuals essential in achieving peace."
Lewis said sport is a school of life which teaches people the best skills they need to be leaders inasmuch as it teaches how to respect one self and others.
"I hope you embrace your dreams and pursue your ambitions regardless of what you're going through right now," he exhorted them.
Sahar Al Ansari, a youth participant from Qatar, expressed optimism that today's youth can be good leaders if they want to.
"Everybody here is a leader because you all want to change the world," she said, adding "We have a lot of communication tools right now that the past generations did not have."
Moderated by Dr Habbes Al Marri, the discussion focused on 'Youth Development for Peaceful Societies', the theme of this year's conference anchored on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In particular, goal No. 4 concerned with "inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities" and goal No. 16 concerned with the promotion of "peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels".
The second day of the conference also featured workshops by peace advocates and social entrepreneurs from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
H E Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Goodwill Ambassador, ROTA, Foosd Milinda Rajapaksha, Ajarat Bada and Mohammad Bakhrieba hosted special workshops to equip delegates with skills, knowledge, values and ethics needed to move their communities towards realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to peaceful societies and education.
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