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Introduction
Young people constitute one of the greatest potential for shaping the future of their nations. They represent on fifth of the world population- the larges in history, amounting o 1.3 billion. When faced with tomorrow’s challenges, their choice of violence or peaceful resolutions will, to a large extend, depend on the opportunities given to them today. Nurturing in them a sense of self-esteem, of belonging and identity with their own communities, opens up avenues for their active participation in political, social and economic life. Ensuring that youth are at the heart of endeavors in the key to increasing the probability of a peaceful tomorrow.
Youth Speak, We Listen! (Voices for Peace), September 1-3, 2007, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
The SMWIPM’s International Youth Forum is a youth planned, organized and run event. It aims to connect young people from all over the world who believe in peace, need peace and want to infuse it the hearts and minds of their societies. It will be an opportunity for young people to highlight their enormous potential as change-makers, exchange ideas, join forces and strengthen their capacity to serve the causes that they champion.