The 5th EPDF has three main objectives: 

• Provide a space for mutual learning, where young people’s ideas, concerns and recommendations are voiced, including those expressed by young refugees and migrants;

• Share meaningful experiences that can inspire policies and actions for enhanced social inclusion of young people, particularly in urban areas;

• Foster dialogue and partnerships between different stakeholders, in particular secular and religious leaders, institutions and actors, as well as youth groups.

The EPDF is organized by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), in partnership with the European Council of Religious Leaders/Religions for Peace Europe (ECRL/RfP), the KAICIID-supported Network for Dialogue and the local partner Multicoloured Religions Rotterdam. We also have the valued support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Netherlands.

Pooling the insights provided by three input papers as well as the outcomes of an EPDF Expert Meeting organized in Lisbon on 28–29 March 2023, the Forum will offer opportunities to delve into the following three thematic areas:

• Words that heal: Often perpetrated in the name of or because of religion, hate speech is grounded on rising inequalities and increasing marginalisation of fragile segments of the city population, particularly cultural, ethnic and religious minorities. The Forum will explore the untapped potential of interreligious and intercultural dialogue as key tools to prevent and mitigate the pernicious effect of hate speech offline and online;

• Cities fostering belonging: In urban spaces, refugees, migrants and other vulnerable groups are progressively pushed to the periphery. Young migrants and refugees experience further exclusion within their own communities, from other migrant and refugee groups as well as from host communities. The Forum will discuss how inter-faith and intercultural dialogue can mobilise collaborative efforts towards an urban environment where everyone can access suitable opportunities for socioeconomic, cultural and religious participation;

• Leadership in action: While young people remain passionate and motivated about issues that matter to them, they tend to experience growing marginalisation in decision-making. The Forum will look into approaches that, while fostering the active citizenship and participation of young people, can enhance youth’s trust in secular and religious leadership – the very leadership responsible for managing change and social cohesion.

• Description: 5th EPDF - Overview Document.pdf
• Latest Agenda: 5th EPDF Short Draft Agenda.pdf
• Report of Expert Meeting: EPDF - Final Report of Expert Meeting 2023.pdf
• Words that heal: EPDF Input Paper #1: Words that heal.pdf
• Cities fostering belonging: EPDF Input Paper #2: Cities fostering belonging.pdf
• Leadership in action: EPDF Input Paper #3: Leadership in action.pdf
• Bios of speakers and moderators: Bios of speakers and moderators.pdf

The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) is launching a new grants scheme for young people in European cities called Catalysts for Cohesion (C4Ɔ). C4Ɔ will support small-scale, innovative change-making initiatives proposed by teams of young people at a city level in line with the EPDF policy recommendations around building cohesive and inclusive communities where everyone feels belonging. See more details here.

A second KAICIID grants scheme titled Cities for Inclusion Workshops is addressed to civil society organizations and religious leaders and actors willing to promote social cohesion at the community level. The scheme supports the design and organization of a dialogue experience with the aim to bridge divisions, foster mutual understanding and mobilise further joint actions to address situations of marginalization, social exclusion, discrimination. See more details here