YOUTH DELEGATES — Faith Acts fellows attending the World Religions Summit June 21 - 23 at the University of Winnipeg were, from left, Ketevan Chigogidze, Shannon Kaur and Sana Syed. Faith Acts fellowsa are young faith leaders spearheading multifaith action in Canada, the United Kingdom and the US. (Koop photo)

Youth lend urgency to summit message

By Doug Koop

WINNIPEG (CCN) — Nearly 80 senior religious leaders from every region of the world gathered in Winnipeg June 21 - 23 to address the “most pressing practical, ethical and strategic issues of our time.” After many words were spoken and considered, the interfaith assembly emerged with a four-page message to the most powerful people in the world.

Winnipeg area MP Stephen Fletcher received the statement, A Time for Inspired Leadership, on behalf of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The document zeroes in on three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). “In our diverse faith traditions we have rich histories and powerful dreams for ending poverty, caring for the earth and being peace-builders,” state the religious leaders.

Plenary speaker John McArthur, executive director of Millennium Promise, observed that the MGDs “have really become the world’s goals,” and that they form a “remarkable fulcrum for solidarity.” And certainly, as host James Christie of the University of Winnipeg put it, they provide representatives of all the world’s major religions with “a common language to speak with political leaders,” a “Rosetta Stone of sorts.”

McArthur acknowledged that “governments have fallen about $20 billion short” in meeting their commitments to achieve the goals by 2015. But, he insists he’s “not depressed by that because I see the communities around the world taking leadership.” He points to “practical pledges” of countless people “taking ownership” by holding themselves accountable to “accessible and actionable goals.”

This development is fundamental to the success of the MDGs, he says. “By 2015 it will be even more weighted toward civil society and away from governments than it is now.”

Young people are at the forefront of these changes.

“The statement lacks urgency,” said Shannon Kaur, 20, one of several youth messengers invited to provide their perspective to religious leaders from around the world. “As youth, we realize that we will suffer from consequences of actions now within 30-40 years,” she said.

She and her colleagues were welcomed. “This is not just a table for grey hair and no hair people,” said Imam Abdul Hai Patel of the Islamic Council of Imams in Toronto. And while last minute changes to the document did not satisfy all their concerns, 13 youth delegates were pleased to be signing on to the accord.

While many were cynical that the statement would largely be lost on the politicians, Christie remained optimistic. “It’s likely that this sort of impetus helps to at least keep the MDGs on the G8 and G20 agendas,” he said. “It’s good for the general public to know that religious leaders are concerned about these things and are taking action. And it’s certainly good for the people who are here.”