Manama on February 9 (BNA):
Written by Rasha Al-Ibrahim
Brussels, Feb. 9 (BNA): The Director of Political Dialogue, Cooperation and Communication between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries expressed her condolences on the death of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, Dr. – Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, founder of the joint youth labor committee initiative between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union.
Shar praised the late Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and said that he will always be remembered whenever we remember the endeavors and initiatives undertaken by Bahrain to advance the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
She was speaking at the conclusion of the Youth Forum between Bahrain and the European Union with the participation of more than 30 young people from various European countries in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
The holding of the forum comes within the recommendations of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union conference on freedom of religion and belief that was held last year.
The aim is to strengthen the overall relationship between the EU and the GCC states and to promote mutual understanding between EU and GCC citizens through public diplomacy and outreach activities.
The intense discussions at the forum in Brussels focused on ways to find solutions to counter cyber-terrorism and its spread.
Human rights policy officer Rafael Warolin said they encouraged youth participation and inclusion in the decision-making process.
“We believe that youth have an important role and their main participation in building policies and legislation, and therefore we are interested in events that are concerned with exchanging ideas and visions between youth and knowing what can be done in various fields such as human beings, climate change and other files of global concern.”
“Young people are active on social media, but at the same time we are aware that there are challenges on the platforms such as spreading hate, bullying and aggressive behavior, and therefore, we have developed policies and systems that can limit the spread of hate through cyberspace.”
Consultant on Religion, Diplomacy, Policy Planning and Strategic Foresight Constantinos Alexandris said it was an honor to speak to the youth group from the Joint Working Committee of the Parliamentary Union and Bahrain.
“I have watched the interaction between them and I think it is important for the leaders to listen to their discussions,” he said.
We hope that this intellectual exchange will contribute to strengthening and consolidating relations between the various youth, and we look forward to fruitful results.
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence and Chair of “This is Bahrain” Betsy Matteson said that the formation of the Joint Youth Action Committee between Bahrain and the European Union was successful.
“We were proud to listen to a diverse group of young people, interact with them and try to find the appropriate ground and solutions that would contribute to creating a better future. The best bet for a better tomorrow is to have conscious and informed youth today. Let us make youth our present to ensure a better tomorrow.”