On 18 January 2018, a Protocol Agreement between Beyoğlu Education and Culture Foundation (BECF) and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) was signed to allow implementation, in Arabic, of the High Schools Model OIC Project at ICYF Headquarter in Istanbul, Turkey.
During the signing ceremony, ICYF was represented by Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Director General of Youth Policy, Education and Training, who seized the opportunity to thank BECF for their enthusiasm and commitment to the successful implementation of the project, while highlighting that the initiative was seen as landmark Model OIC Project; an ICYF flagship initiative approved by relevant OIC Conferences. The BECF was represented by Mr. Şaban Kurt, Board Chairman of BECF, who expressed the significance of the project for all schools involved, especially in training new generations on the immense challenges facing the Muslim world.
Among the events that are to be held under the Model OIC for High Schools Program will be a 4-Day long MOIC Chairmanship Camp, weekly diplomatic trainings and a simulation of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers with the participation of 400 students from around 80 reputable high schools in OIC Member States.
According to the protocol, the program begins with Model OIC Chairmanship Training Camp from 22 to 25 January 2018 in Istanbul, to be organized by both parties.
ICYF takes part in the proceedings of the 13th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) Conference convened in Tehran, IRI, on 16-17 January 2018.
The resolution on “PUIC -ICYF Cooperation” is among the agenda items of the Conference.
ICYF Participates in IDB Seminar on the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’
Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo: Director General for Youth Policy, Education & Training represented the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) at the IDB Seminar on the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’, to introduce the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’, and discuss the Youth Policy Score Indicator for OIC countries. The Seminar was held by the Capacity Development Department of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and also attended by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
While addressing the meeting, Mr. Mutualo shed light on the significance and impact of the ‘State of Youth in OIC Member States Report 2017’ on youth-related policies in OIC member countries.
ICYF Participates at the Permanent Joint Committee on Youth Affairs Meeting
Mr. Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Director General of the Cabinet, represented the ICYF at the 4th Session of the Meeting of the Permanent Joint Committee on Youth Affairs (PJCYA), which was held on the sidelines of the Intergovernmental Experts Group Meeting (IEGM) to consider and finalize the OIC Youth Strategy at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 10 January 2018.
Aside from the ICYF, the meeting was attended by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF), and the International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS) under the Chairmanship of the OIC General Secretariat.
While addressing the meeting, Mr. Mehdiyev reviewed the undergoing preparations for the 4th Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM) and other ICYF ongoing activities made towards in the implementation of the Joint Youth Action Plan (JYAP), including the holding of the Al-Quds OIC Youth Capital – 2018.
Under the Y-Shiraz 2nd OIC Youth Capital Film Festival, more than 100 short film submissions were received from OIC Member and Non-Member States. On December 17 2017, after a lengthy judging process, the jury selected 6 short films for awards, which were screened during the awards ceremony by youth and local guests. The programme was followed by a series of workshops by professional film makers who delivered key information and technique on ‘Poetry Short Films’.
Winners of the Y-Shiraz 2nd OIC Youth Capital Film Festival will be recognized and awarded during the Grand Closing Ceremony of Shiraz OIC Youth Capital 2017 today.
By unanimous decision of its Board, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an international institution affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), strongly condemns the U.S. President’s decision to recognize Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel.
The unilateral and ill-advised decision by the U.S. President Donald Trump not only disrupts any attempt at peace or reconciliation, it also undermines the prospect of a just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Moreover, this decision contradicts the opinion of the international community; violates international law; harms the status of the United States as an objective “honest broker” in its mediation efforts and emboldens the appeal of radicals and extremists in the region.
During this fragile period when the Middle East region needs tranquility and peace more than all else, ICYF calls upon the OIC Heads of States to show necessary solidarity and reactions for the taking of adequate and effective action during their Extraordinary Summit to be held in Istanbul, on 13 December 2017, upon invitation of H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of the Republic of Turkey, in his capacity as the current chair of the OIC Summit Conference.
ICYF VISITS PALESTINE TO KICK OF PREPARATIONS OF AL-QUDS OIC YOUTH CAPITAL 2018
Upon the kind invitation of the Higher Council of Youth and Sports of the State of Palestine (HCYS), a delegation from the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), headed by Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Director General of Youth Policy, Education & Training, visited the State of Palestine to start preparations towards implementing the historic decision of selecting Al-Quds as the OIC Youth Capital for 2018.
The ICYF delegation was received by concerned Palestinian high dignitaries, including His Excellency Gen. Jibril Rajoub جبريل الرجوب, HCYS Chairperson, His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Husein, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Mr. Issam Qaddoumi, HCYS Secretary General, other Members of the Palestinian Cabinet, and the leadership of the Palestinian Scout Association.
The visit also included a brainstorming session with several Palestinian youth associations towards one of the main activities of “Al-Quds – OIC Youth Capital 2018”, which is the establishment of the Palestinian National Youth Council.
The visit was concluded with signing of “Al-Quds – OIC Youth Capital 2018 Chart of Activities”, where a number of initiatives are described as part of the year-long celebration of the international program under reference.
Landmark Training Workshop for OIC Junior Diplomats held in Istanbul
On the 3rd day of the ‘TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR JUNIOR DIPLOMATS FROM OIC MEMBER STATES’ organized by SESRIC, ICYF presented the Model OIC International programme, an essential part of the 14 point Joint Youth Action Plan approved by the 3rd Ministerial Islamic Conference Youth and Sports Ministers Conference; holding a Model OIC Diplomatic Training and Simulation Session for young diplomats from OIC Member States.
Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, ICYF Director General of Youth Policy, Education & Training, welcomed the young diplomats in the opening session of the Model OIC Training Programme and implemented resolution writing training for the young diplomats.
Mr. Ahmet Halit Hatip, ICYF Director of Youth Policy, Education & Training, presented the International Model OIC programme which is implemented by ICYF, with the participation of over 2000 members of 50 Model OIC Clubs from reputable universities of OIC Member States.
In the Model OIC Diplomatic Simulation Session, Selahattin Karadaş, Head of the Model OIC Training Team instructed hte junior diplomats on Model OIC rules and procedures, after which the young diplomats simulated the OIC Council of Ministers with the agenda: ‘’The Response of OIC Member States to Human Rights Violations: The case of Rohingya’’
Grand Ceremony for Fez OIC Youth Capital 2017 Programme held
On 24 November 2017, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and Moroccan Ministry of Youth held the closing festivities and ceremony for the Fez OIC Youth Capital 2017 Program, crowning a series of youth events in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Throughout the program, youth from around the world engaged in activities emphasizing the role of youth in countering extremism, and in developing new narratives for change, growth and active citizenship. In attendance was H.E. Palestinian Minister of Youth and Sport, who was entrusted with the Key of Fez, a symbol of the city as a youth capital. He promised to uphold the example of civilization and diversity set by the historic city of Fez, in the upcoming al-Quds al-Sharif OIC Youth Capital 2018 programme.
The program ended with engaging performances from the Street Art Festival, recommendations from the Youth Forum for the Prevention of Extremism and Violence; and commitments from youth to enhance Islamic solidarity in all that they do.
Youth Forum for the Prevention of Extremism and Violence Opened in Fez OIC Youth Capital 2017 Programme
On 21-24 November 2017, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) organized an international forum on the ‘Prevention of Extremism and Violence’ in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports, and under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco as part of the ‘Fez OIC Youth Capital 2017’ Programme.
The international forum presented a number of dynamic panels on best practices, relevant policy frameworks and implementation mechanisms in countering radicalism, emphasizing the role of civil society in countering violence and radicalism, and the unique role of youth in developing new narratives for constructive change, civic engagement and political participation. The event was held in the historic Fez City Hall, with attendance of a number of high-level dignitaries and scholars including. Also in attendance were a number of representatives of international organizations, NGO’s and youth delegates.
The Forum emphasized the strategic value of youth, and emphasized the need to create inclusive future-oriented narratives that appeal to the inherent civic duty in youth, while calling on youth to identify pathways and mechanisms for constructive changes, develop their capacities in decision-making and policy-building and take on the role of positive agents for change in their respective societies.
