Princess Sarah Al-Feisal promotes the importance of youth in driving fundamental change

Generations For Peace President speaks at the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists Forum in Kuala Lumpur

27 April 2012; Kuala Lumpur: HRH Princess Sarah Al-Feisal, President of Generations For Peace, called on delegates at the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists Global Forum to "harness the potential of youth through engagement and empowerment", in order to "create and nurture future leaders" in the drive to effect fundamental changes in our societies.

The World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists brings together government and business leaders, donors, social investors and experts to promote effective giving and forge strategic partnerships for high impact social investment.

HRH Princess Sarah Al-Feisal today joined a high-level panel entitled "Investing in the Next Generation" at the Forum. She discussed the importance of youth engagement and empowerment to promote active tolerance and responsible citizenship in communities around the world experiencing different forms of conflict and violence.

"Youth are the engine for the productivity of nations. They drive innovation and entrepreneurship. They embrace new technologies and forms of communication. And today they have the global reach and power to influence political processes and effect fundamental changes in our societies."

The President of Jordan-based non-profit highlighted the importance of youth in the Arab world, where populations are increasingly dynamic and youthful, with 70% under 30 years of age and a third under 14 years.

"There is a growing realisation that youth are the future of so much economic, social, cultural and political activity. We ignore their input at our peril. Enlightened governments in the region are now realising that we need to harness the potential of youth, through engagement and empowerment "

At the World Economic Forum in Jordan last year, His Majesty King Abdullah II urged the Arab world to pass through four gates to the future: Dignity; Opportunity; Democracy; and Peace and Justice. HRH Princess Sarah explained: "We have responsibility to ensure these four gates are wide open for our youth. We must harness their energy and nurture their development into the future active citizens and leaders of our communities and our nations. Undoubtedly, we still need ‘top down’ institutional structures, legal frameworks, and government-led policy initiative. But I believe also in the value of ‘bottom-up’, values-driven, philanthropic programmes involving youth at the grass roots level."

HRH Princess Sarah went on to discuss the importance of youth philanthropy in developing a commitment to responsible citizenship: "Youth philanthropy is about empowering young people, nurturing them and providing them with the skills and tools to make a positive contribution in their communities. But to be successful it must be sustainable. Long term sustainability requires engaging youth now, and providing them with ongoing support, mentoring and pathways for continuing their development as leaders. They must be allowed to lead and encouraged to pass on their knowledge and skills to others, as part of an ongoing cascading process which increases reach and sustainability."

"This philosophy has helped to shape fundamental values at the heart of Generations For Peace: youth leadership; community empowerment; active tolerance; and responsible citizenship."

HRH Princess Sarah Al-Feisal continued: "With Generations For Peace, we have seen first-hand that philanthropic programmes involving young people can be very powerful. They are making a concrete difference in diverse communities, from Somalia to Sri Lanka, Lebanon to Liberia, Pakistan to Palestine, and many others."

Notes to Editors:

Generations For Peace is a leading global non-profit organisation founded by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, dedicated to sustainable peace building and the use of sport for conflict transformation.

By providing unique training and ongoing mentoring support, Generations For Peace empowers volunteer leaders of youth to lead and cascade change in their communities, promoting active tolerance and responsible citizenship and working at the grass roots to address local issues of conflict and violence.

Generations For Peace programmes target adults and youth leaders who are influential in their communities; and children and adolescents who are the future of any community. Carefully-facilitated sport-based games and activities provide an entry point to engage children and adolescents, and a vehicle for integrated education and behavioural change.

Since 2007, Generations For Peace has trained and mentored almost 6,000 Delegates and Pioneers from more than 45 countries and territories in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. Their peace building activities have touched the lives of more than 90,000 children and young people.

Generations For Peace Media Team

Tel: +962 6 569 1248 | Fax: +962 6 568 2954

info@generationsforpeace.org | www.generationsforpeace.org

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