Young people of different faiths gathered at COMECE on Tuesday 24 September 2019 to discuss the contribution of interreligious youth exchanges in strengthening and building trust in democracy in the EU.
(Credit: COMECE)
The event, co-organised by COMECE and the Bavarian Youth Council (BJR), focused on “Dialogue for Democracy” (Dialog für Demokratie), a youth project established by the Bavarian Youth Council in 2016 to overcome prejudices, build trust and friendship, and set the ground for a sustainable dialogue in Bavaria, Germany.
While at COMECE, young people shared their experience and debated with EU representatives on the possibility of this initiative becoming a reference point at the regional, national and EU levels.
“This project embraces dialogue, democracy, interfaith and young people, four elements of fundamental importance for the present and the future of the European Union. Society demands from all of us, persons of different faiths, to work together on tackling climate change and preserving the environment – stated Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, during his welcome address to the participants.
Fr. Barrios Prieto also highlighted Pope Francis’ call “to promote a culture of dialogue in these times of polarisation and great societal challenges” and expressed appreciation for the recent EU initiative “European Youth Dialogue”.
This event is one of the many initiatives carried out by COMECE to work together with and listen to young people’s concerns in order “to allow them to fulfill their dreams and aspirations in their local communities”, as stated at the October 2018 Youth Synod by the President of COMECE, H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ.
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