The Grand Closing Ceremony of “Al-Quds Ash-Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018” International Programme, organized by Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) in cooperation with the Higher Council for Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine and with the kind hospitality of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey, will be held at its Conference Hall on 11 March 2019 in the Turkish capital Ankara, in which Al-Quds will hand over the OIC Youth Capital Key to Doha, as the owner of the program for 2019.
During the year of 2018, in a historic decision of solidarity with Palestinian people, Al-Quds Al-Sharif was celebrated as the OIC Youth Capital for 2018 through a year-long international programme of invigorating youth activities co-organized by the aforementioned Council and ICYF, as the Implementing Agency of the Joint Youth Action Plan adopted by the 4th Session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2018) and relevant decisions of the subsequent OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
It is our firm belief that the programs held throughout the year, including establishment of the Palestinian National Youth Council, Media Training Camp and Human Faces of Al-Quds Photo Contest and Exhibitions, organized with the kind support of the Ministries of Respective of OIC Member States, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Qatar and Republic of Turkey, have significantly contributed towards raising international awareness on the inalienable rights of Palestinians and Muslims towards the sanctity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and also paved the way for cooperation, joint work and friendship between youth of Ummah and Palestine.
INTERNATIONAL CAMP FOR SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINIAN YOUTH continues in its 2nd and 3rd working days
In the framework of the International Camp for Solidarity with Palestinian Youth, on 7 September, H.E. Gen. Jibril Rajoub, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine had a meeting with the participants holding fruitful discussion with them on challenges and prospective for youth of Palestine.
During the 2nd and 3rd working days (7, 8 September 2018) of the Camp the relevant thematic and practical training sessions were held and participants shared their experiences and ideas on vision and mission for development of Palestinian youth.
2th International Youth Innovation Conference, organized by United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO) and Shenzhen Youth Federation, begins in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China with the theme of “The Positive Role of Youth in Coping Future Challenges”.
At the plenary session of the 2th International Youth Innovation conference; Mr Ahmet Halit Hatip, Director of International Projects at ICYF, delivered a key note speech in which he highlights the significance of establishing effective collaboration channels between organizations and institutions for leveraging youth entrepreneurship at global level and he also presented the OIC Startup Platform, a multiphase entrepreneurship program developed by ICYF, which is among the 14 priority Joint Youth Actions adopted by the 3rd Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Minister (5-7 October 2016, Istanbul) and endorsed by the 43rd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (18-19 October 2016, Tashkent).
ICYF Celebrates the International Youth Day
The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) on behalf of its member institutions representing the youth in the OIC Member States joins the international community in observing one of the most important international days in the United Nations’ calendar, the one dedicated to youth. This year’s theme, “Safe Spaces for Youth”, is a well-chosen one as the ICYF backs the UN understanding that youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves.
In fact, today, the world should see itself celebrating the limitless potential of young people. Those to whom ideas and inspirations are put into spotlight as a potential powerful tool change the world. Their courage, passion, and the positive change they make every day has inspired the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to decide in its 44th Council of Foreign Ministers (Abidjan, Ivory Coast, July 2017) to adopt the 3rd of September of each year as the OIC Youth Day.
The ICYF is therefore committed to providing opportunity for youth to ensure that they are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also hope lights of today. Whether it is ensuring boys and girls have equal access to education, improving abilities to strengthen youth leadership in civil society, business and academia, or providing a young entrepreneur with the capital and network to grow a start-up. The ICYF understands such projects and activities as investing in the potential of the young people within the needs of OIC Member States towards their young people as underlined in the recently adopted OIC Youth Strategy by the 4th Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2018).
The ICYF, in this regards, congratulates all youth around the world, especially those in the OIC geography with the message for them to always remember that they are energetic, hopeful, fearless, smart and determined while being the future of a country and those that are close of making the impossible possible. Happy International Youth Day!
Istanbul, 12 August 2018
TheIslamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) Expresses Concern over Civilian Casualties in Yemen
ICYF expresses concern over the continuing casualties of civilians, many of whom are teens and children, in Yemen in the results of escalation of the ongoing conflict. While welcoming the call by the United Nation Secretary-General António Guterres for an independent investigation into the air strike that killed dozens of children on Thursday, 09 August 2018, ICYF emphasizes that Islamic principles on preserving the life of innocent during the battle as well as international humanitarian law on safety of civilians during the conflicts should be unconditionally respected.
As organization dedicated to strengthening Islamic solidarity and peace ICYF reiterates its deep concern over the protracted conflict in Yemen which inflicted much damage on the country and great suffering on the brotherly Yemeni people. Reiterating its support for the international community’s stand in urging all parties involved to take urgent measures to spare the civilian population, respecting the principles of distinction, proportionality and access of humanitarian aid to civilians ICYF also calls for Islamic Ummah to take all necessary measures, including mediation to cease the fire to lead to political solution and lasting peace in the war-torn nation.
Istanbul, 10 August 2018
Call for Applications: “ICYF YOUTH MEDIA CAPACITY BUILDING SUMMER CAMP”
Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an international institution affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), announces the below call for application issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey on “Youth Media Capacity Building Summer Camp” to be held within the framework of the “Al-Quds Ash-Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018”International Programme.
BACKGROUND
Within the celebration of Al-Quds Ash-Sharif as the OIC Youth Capital 2018, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), in partnership with the Higher Council for Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey ,will organize an international youth camp in order to bring together and integrate young people sharing common values, historical and cultural heritage towards strengthening the ties of friendship and brotherhood among them and their societies, as well as to build a powerful future on shared values so as to contribute to the development of future young leaders sensitive about global and social issues, promoting the well-being of society and humanity at all points, preserving their values.
OBJECTIVES
- To explore the crucial elements of a reliable journalist’s craft (balance, reliability, usage of proper sources);
- To learn to evaluate the reliability of sources and to approach any information critically;
- To explore the interrelation between media messages and tolerance/intolerance in our societies, especially in regards to the topic of migrant and refugee crisis;
- To learn how to distinguish between media and audience bias;
- To build the capacity of Muslim Youth in terms of leadership skills and empower them through meaningful participation in the media;
- To facilitate young people’s connection to heritage, language, culture and identity through media participation;
- To explore and understand media and youth participation in media with cultural diversity as concepts and group processes;
- To provide tools for multiplication and development of youth participation in media.
- To identify possible directions and strategy of work in the field of development of youth participation in media in the realities of participants;
- To raise awareness on the centrality of Al-Quds for the Muslim Ummah and its unique role as the centre of the tree Abrahamic religions to be preserved.
THE FORMAT AND METHODOLOGY
“Youth Media Capacity Building Summer Camp” will gather 60 young people from the OIC geography and will create an atmosphere where they can discuss and point out the most important youth-related problems in media participation of the region and produce solutions as youth leaders.
In order to reach the goals and create a better environment for the young people the camp will be a combination of thematic workshops, interactive presentations and sportive activities. It will encourage the active involvement of young people, giving them space to express themselves and to strengthen up ties between them through interactive workshops and sport.
ORGANIZATION
“Youth Media Capacity Building Summer Camp” will be organized by ICYF in cooperation with the host country, Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey. ICYF will be in charge of the selection process, content coordination and implementation of the programme, while the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey will be in charge of the logistical arrangements of the programme.
LOCATION AND DATE
Location: 19 MAY YOUTH CAMP IN SAMSUN/TURKEY Date: 17 – 23 September 2018 (Arrival: 17th September, Departure: 23rd September, 2018)
SELECTION
The final selection will be made by the organizing team according to the criteria described below;
- To be a citizen of the OIC Member State or representative of Muslim community in non-OIC Member States;
- Able to speak English;
- Aged 18 – 30;
- To have media background (study, work experience or interest);
- Involved in/coordinated any media related project;
- Active in community services;
- Motivated to attend the full duration;
- To be one of the young leaders with a specific change in his-her local community
***Applications must be returned by no later than 5th August 2018 via application link: https://www.oicyouthcapital.com/youth-media-capacity-building-summer-camp-application-form
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 5 August, 2018
IMPORTANT! ONLY SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INFORMED.
*** The selected participants will receive email confirmation with detail of the logistics. Due to limited timing the first come first serve principle will be considered and there won’t be opportunity to inform those who won’t be selected. The general information on selection results will be posted at ICYF website (www.icyf-dc.org) and social media accounts.
COSTS
Travel: The relevant host organizers will cover round trip travel expenses from his/her own country to Samsun Airport including the participant’s visa, medical and travel insurance and personal expenses.
Accommodation and other costs: Host organizers will cover domestic transportation, accommodation, food and other relevant local hospitality
CONTACT
*** For further questions, please contact Phone: +902124653939 (Ext: 22) between 11:00 AM and 06:00PM (GMT+3) from Monday to Friday.
OIC Youth Forum cordially congratulates the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic!
Çox yaşa Azərbaycan!
ICYF Strongly Condemns the Opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem
Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) strongly condemns the opening of the US Embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, as this unfortunate act violates the political, legal and historical status of the city of Jerusalem. The opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem is a clear defiance of international law and relevant resolutions, a radical departure from the international consensus on the status of Al-Quds Ash-Sharif and a major threat to the regional peace while also undermining the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
ICYF recalls and emphasizes the international stand of 21 December 2017, when 128 countries voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution condemning the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and calling on countries not to move their diplomatic missions to the city. The resolution in case also affirmed that “any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem.”
ICYF, while underscoring the centrality of the cause of Al-Quds to the Islamic Ummah, expresses its support to all peaceful actions throughout the world which are against this injustice and calls on the OIC Member States and Institutions to scale up their support towards the activities of the “Al-Quds Ash Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018” international programme implemented by ICYF.
Board of ICYF
14 May 2018
Another Milestone ICYF’s Achievement at the Closing of the 45th CFM in Dhaka
At the closing of the 45th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), OIC Member States adopted Resolutions, including that of the ICYF that endorsed decisions of 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports (ICYSM), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, on 17-19 April 2018, therefore opening the door for the immediate implementation of the OIC Youth Strategy, as well as renovation of the Joint Youth Action Plan (JYAP) for the years of 2019-20.
Member States also recognized the important role of the ICYF in the convening of the 1st Youth CFM through insertion of new paragraph 08 into the Resolution No 4/45-CUL on Social and Family Affairs, section D on “Promoting Youth Building Capacity in the Islamic World”, while appreciating the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for having coordinated such event with the ICYF in Dhaka, on 04 May 2018, as the youth segment of the 45th CFM in implementation of the initiatives proposed at the brainstorming session at the Ministerial level on “Youth, Peace, and Development in a World of Solidarity”, held during the 44th CFM on 11 July 2017 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Additionally, the same Resolution called on the host of the 46th CFM, which is the United Arab Emirates, to consider organizing the 2nd edition of the Youth CFM in 2019 in coordination with the OIC General Secretariat, The ICYF is, therefore, ready to start preparations of such gathering the youth of the OIC Geography whenever the host country of the 46th CFM finds it appropriate.
It should be mentioned here that the ICYF’s achievement was further reiterated in paragraph 24 of the unanimously adopted Dhaka Declaration.
DHAKA DECLARATION
45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
We, the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegations of Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), participants of the 45thSession of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC held in Dhaka, on 5-6 May 2018, under the theme “Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace and Development”, declare as follows:
…
24. We commend the convening of the 1st Youth CFM, held in Dhaka, on 04 May 2018, as the youth segment of the 45th CFM in line with decisions of the special brainstorming session at the Ministerial level on “Youth, Peace and Development in a World of Solidarity”, held during the 44th CFM on 11 July 2017 in Abidjan. We appreciate the Government of Bangladesh for coordinating with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) the holding of such important youth gathering, and we call on the host of the 46th CFM to consider organizing the 2nd edition of the Youth CFM in 2019 in coordination with the ICYF and recognized national youth institution.
For full text of declaration, please visit the below link:
https://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=18652&t_ref=10334&lan=en
