European youth for climate justice

Interfaith Youth Convention on the European Green Deal

In October and November of 2021, Young Caritas Europa together with other European youth faith-based organisations co-organised Interfaith Youth Convention on the European Green Deal. This report sets out the 21 proposals that young people of faith have put forward, developed, and wish to see reflected in the European Green Deal. The discussions which led to these proposals highlighted both the urgency that young people feel towards the climate emergency and the solidarity among faiths to safeguard the natural world and to promote a just society. You can read the report excerpt below and download the full report here.

The initiative involved over 100 young Europeans aged 18 to 35, delegated by several faith-based organisations active at the European level and representing the Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim confessions. The project aimed to provide young people of faith with an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions on the European Green Deal.

In the first webinar event, on October 1st 2021, participants reflected and formulated proposals on the European Green Deal vis à vis five thematic areas considered to be priorities for young people: Housing and Energy, Mobility and Transport, Agriculture and Food, Production and Consumption, Education, Ecology and Skills. In the second webinar event, on November 25th 2021, participants had the opportunity to share their proposals and concerns in a dialogue with Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for the European Green Deal.

The following is a comprehensive report of the first Interfaith Youth Convention on the European Green Deal. It sets out the 21 proposals developed by the young people who participated in the Convention so that they may be shared with a wider audience. The proposals and this report are a reflection of the commitment of young people of faith to a shared European project, the care for our Common Home, and their aspirations for the future of the European Union and its role in the world.