THE NIGERIA INTERFAITH YOUTH FORUM
Coordinating Office: C/O Africa Christian Youth
Development Foundation,
Dadin Kowa Last Gate,
P.O. Box 6451,
Jos, Plateau State-Nigeria.
Email: nifyforum@yahoo.com
Phone: +2348052627310
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Foundation for the emergence of the Nigeria Interfaith Youth Forum
was laid at the International Christian Youths Conference on Peace
building, organized by Africa Christian Youths Development Foundation, in
collaboration with project Hope-Nigeria from 28th to 30th April 2006, at the
Zainab Hotel, Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. The theme of the conference
was: “The Role of Christian Youths in promoting a culture of peace in
Nigeria”. The 35 participants at the conference included representatives of
seven local NGOs within Nigeria and one representative from the Chicagobased Interfaith Youth Core. Together, we agreed at this conference, to
create a platform for youth interfaith dialogue and service in Nigeria to
enhance awareness and understanding of each other’s activities, in the
context of our divers, pluralistic society and to initiate the process of
healing, reconciliation promoting understanding and our cherished “Unity in
diversity”.
The choice of the platform was not a difficult task as participants clearly
identified the imperative at the heart of the vision and mission and thus the
“Nigeria Interfaith Youth Forum” was born. Africa Christian Youths
Development Foundation, organizers and facilitators of the conference,
were then mandated to fashion out the modalities for the formal
commencement of activities and to convene and host an inaugural meeting
of the Nigeria Interfaith Youth Forum where young people representing our
diverse faith traditions would converge to review and renew their
commitment and reaffirm their unwavering support to the process of
stimulating, promoting and facilitating social cohesion, development and
national stability. That dream is now beginning to take shape.
OUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
The Nigeria Interfaith Youth Forum is committed to providing peaceful and
constructive solutions to the problems of our collective social existence by
giving hope through nourishment of our diverse faiths and the consequent
inspiration to actions that support and strengthen this process. We are
committed to promoting peaceful co-existence in Nigeria through the
healing process of repentance, dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation.
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The essence of our work is interfaith dialogue, cooperation and positive
social action. Members will be encouraged to deliberately engage in
peaceful dialogue and constructive service with others who may have
radically different and sometimes opposing religious, cultural and social
views.
OUR GUIDING PHILOSOPHY:
We believe that religion and youths are very powerful instruments in
promoting global peace, social harmony, friendship and sustainable
partnership. Religion has the capacity of facilitating the attainment of
appropriate standards of excellence, motivating and equipping a
compassionate response and influencing policy makers to become effective
and powerful voices for social justice. The youths are creative agents for
social change, renewal and transformation.
Without compromising our religious and cultural values, we are committed
to developing partnerships with governments, NGOs, FBOs and CSOs in
improving and sustaining the quality of life through listening, support and
positive action.
FORMAL MEETING:
Exactly one year after the initial attempt in April 2005, an inaugural
meeting of the Nigeria Interfaith Youth Forum was held in Jos-Nigeria on
April 23, 2006 to mark the closing of the April 21 – 23, 2006 National Days
of Interfaith Youth Service Sponsored by the Chicago-based Interfaith
Youth Core.
The 17 participants at the meeting representing Christian, Muslim and
traditional religious groups deliberated on a number of important issues,
including membership, programs, leadership, partnerships and funding.
The Second meeting has been scheduled to hold in Jos on Saturday,
August 20, 2006.
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