The 2nd International Youth Forum on Multiculturalism, held from August 23 to 27, 2025, in the Republic of Azerbaijan, convened nearly 70 young leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives from more than 50 countries to exchange innovative approaches for promoting sustainable peace, intercultural dialogue, and youth-led initiatives. Organized under the theme “Youth as Ambassadors of Peacebuilding in a Multicultural Environment”, the Forum provided a unique platform for dialogue, learning, and cross-cultural engagement.
This year’s edition was jointly organized by ICESCO and the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), in cooperation with the Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation (NCCT) and the African Union’s African Migration Observatory (AMO). The collaboration between ICESCO and NCCT was particularly significant, marking the beginning of a strategic cooperation that underscores the critical role of youth as drivers of peace and multiculturalism.
The Forum opened in Baku with a presentation from ICESCO, which highlighted its global work in empowering youth and amplifying their contributions to peacebuilding, intercultural dialogue, and humanitarian efforts. Mr. Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of BIMC, welcomed participants by reaffirming Azerbaijan’s longstanding commitment to multiculturalism and by encouraging youth to forge lasting friendships that transcend borders.
Dr. Namira Negm, Director of the African Migration Observatory (AMO) of the African Union, emphasized the importance of intercultural understanding in the context of migration, underlining its potential to prevent conflict and foster resilient communities. Dr. Dinara Guliyeva, speaking on behalf of ICESCO, framed the Forum as a milestone in ICESCO’s partnership with Azerbaijan and highlighted the transformative role of youth in shaping peaceful and inclusive societies.
Mr. Noufal Abboud, Executive Director of NCCT, spoke passionately about youth as co-architects of peace. “Our diversity is not the problem; it is the solution. And you, the youth, are the driving force that can transform this truth into reality,” he stated, setting the tone for a week of intensive engagement. His remarks resonated with ICESCO’s vision, and together with the African Union’s AMO, the three organizations co-led the first workshop session, “The Power of Diversity: Youth as a Driving Force for Peace and Understanding.”
In the workshop, NCCT introduced participants to the interlinkages between NCCT’s everyday peacebuilding approach and that of ICESCO’s Peace 360º, underscoring how cultural and identity diversity can serve as assets for peacebuilding. The session empowered youth to recognize their role as catalysts for positive change and provided them with practical and effective tools to strengthen conflict transformation and intercultural dialogue in their communities.
Over the five-day program, participants engaged in keynote lectures, interactive workshops, cultural showcases, and field visits. Discussions addressed pressing global issues such as the protection of cultural heritage, the right to return under international law, and the role of intercultural dialogue in preventing violent extremism. Cultural immersion was a defining feature of the Forum: during the “Present Your People” evening, youth shared their national costumes, arts, and traditions, highlighting culture as a universal language of peace. Field visits to Khankendi and Shusha further deepened participants’ appreciation of Azerbaijan’s rich heritage and its role as a living example of multicultural coexistence.
The Forum culminated in a closing ceremony in Baku, attended by high-level officials, including Mr. Hasanov (BIMC), Mr. Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sports, Ms. Maryam Gafarzade (ICESCO Regional Office in Baku), and Mr. Noufal Abboud (NCCT). In his closing remarks, Mr. Abboud reminded participants of their newfound responsibility as Youth Peace Ambassadors: “Do not underestimate your power. History is not written by the loudest voices; it is shaped by those who dare to imagine a different future and work quietly, persistently, to make it real.”
The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to all participants, including two NCCT staff members who graduated as Youth Peace Ambassadors, symbolizing the Forum’s enduring legacy.
The cooperation between NCCT and ICESCO at this Forum set a strong ground for future joint initiatives, bridging global youth empowerment with practical and effective peacebuilding approaches. It showcased how international collaboration can equip the present generation with the vision, skills, and networks necessary to advance peace in multicultural societies worldwide.
