ICYF attended the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) wide counterterrorism conference, held in Vienna, Austria, on 23-24 May 2017.
Addressing the Session II on “Engaging and empowering youth in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism”, Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Director General of the General Directorate of Youth Policy, Education & Training, started by sending a cable of condolences and sympathies to the people and government of the United Kingdom for the loss of innocent lives during the Manchester terrorist attack. He then mentioned the challenges faced by youth in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), particularly terrorism, and the fact that Muslims are the main victims of this unfortunate phenomenon.
Mr. Manafi stated that violence and extremism created an environment that prevented positive youth development. Current recruitment demographics show a growing trend towards recruitment at younger ages and an expansion towards young females. This is of high relevance to the OIC Member States for they are the youngest worldwide and have the highest youth population growth rates. By 2030, they will be hosting 30.9% of youth in the world.
In this context, he highlighted that the OIC Youth Strategy, which is being finalized for its adoption at the 4th Islamic Conference of Youth & Sports Ministers, to be held in Baku in May 2018, has a special focus on countering terrorism through several measures, including building effective and meaningful partnerships from sectors of society to develop a multi-faceted approach policy-making and developing partnership with Media.
“Putrajaya – OIC Youth Capital 2017” events go on with the “BATTLE OF SUMOROBOT & INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TVET CONFERENCE (INDUSTRY 4.0)”
In the opening ceremony of the event, Dr. Hajaj Wasitah Binti Yusof, Director General of Youth Skills Development Division of The Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia and Mr. Ahmet Halit Hatip, Director at the ICYF have welcomed the youth representatives from the OIC Member States and and wished good luck to them in the Sumorobot tournaments.
Mr. Ahmet Halit Hatip, has also visited the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Malaysia and attended the preparation meeting with Mr. Ajitpal Singh, Under Secretary of International Relations Division of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Malaysia, for the forthcoming events; Muslim Future Thinkers Forum, OIC Start-up Expo and Islamic Countries Youth Entrepreneurship Network which will take place in Putrajaya in the context of Putrajaya OIC Youth Capital 2017.
The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) was represented by Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Director-General of the General Directorate of Youth Policy, Education and Training, at the 1st Youth Summit organized by the Islamic Development Bank Ground (IDBG) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 15-16 May 2017.
While addressing the event, Mr. Manafi introduced youth development related activities of ICYF, as the OIC Youth Institution responsible for implementing initiatives to materialize OIC Member States’ youth policy.
While welcoming the proposed Youth Development Strategy, he mentioned that ICYF was ready to partner with the OIC Member States and IDBG in its efficient and timely implementation, as it goes in line with the OIC Youth Strategy, initiated by ICYF.
The Director General briefed the Meeting on the Permanent Ministerial Council on Youth’s adoption of the “Youth Creative against Islamophobia”, under the motto of “Knowing Islam, Enjoying Arts” underlying importance to include into discussions the role of Ummah’s youth to be prepared to use artistic talents to challenge Islamophobia.
On 15 May 2017, the Startup Platform for OIC Countries Project started with the Opening ceremony of the 3rd Kazan Youth Entrepreneurship Forum. About 100 young start-ups received greeting and blessing for incredible projects they are engaged from Mr. Roman Shaykhutdinov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Denis Valeev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan, Mr. Insaf Galiyev, Chief Executive of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, Mr. Ahmet Halit Hatip, Director at ICYF.
Mr. Anton Grachev, Director of Kazan IT Park, Mr. Timur Suleymanov, President of Selet Youth Movement and Mr. Syed Shazad, Founder of Oxademy Business School – all partners of OIC Youth Forum in implementing the Project have introduced last 6-month work of incredible team dedicated to training and upbringing start-ups. The final phase of the trainings will conclude with High-Level Investment Session on 19 May 2017 at the side of the Kazan Business Summit.
Istanbul – OIC Youth Capital 2015/16 International Programme conducted by ICYF was presented on 14 December 2015 to the international guests visiting Istanbul Aydin University. Young students from Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey as well as Germany, Italy, Romania, Lithuania and Gerogia were informed about the background and aims of the Programme and also activities being held in this framework. Mr. Elmaddin Mehdiyev, ICYF Chief of Cabinet who made the detailed presentation discussed with participants in the Q&A section the current problems and challanges Muslim youth are facing. The session has ended with demonstration of the short film “Mama” – the winner of the “Y-Istanbul the 1st OIC Youth Capital Short Film Awards”.
The delegation of the ICYF Secretariat representing the OIC Youth Capital Selection Committee visited Shiraz (IRI) – the candidate city for the OIC Youth Capital 2017 on 28-30 August 2016. In the framework of the visit the delegation held working meetings with the representatives of the Fars Province and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Islamic Republic of Iran and examined the facilities of the city for hosting the OIC Youth Capital Programme in 2017. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Ali Afshani, the Governor of the Fars Province of Iran received the delegation on 29 August and reiterated full readiness of the city for hosting such an important international programme serving development and unity of youth of the OIC geography. Mr. Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Director General of Cabinet of ICYF on behalf of the ICYF leadership and Secretariat thanked the Governor for interest to host the programme in Shiraz and conveyed the satisfaction of the delegation with high interest towards the programme and facilities of the city. The visit ended up with signing of the Protocol containing the commitment of the city of Shiraz to host the progamme in 2017 and defining the roles and responsibilities of the parties in case of selection of Shiraz as the OIC Youth Capital 2017.
Shiraz is one of the 4 candidate cities to host the OIC Youth Capital 2017, along with Putrajaya (Malaysia), Bandung (Indonesia) and Fez (Morocco).
Isfahan, July 1, IRNA – Deputy head of Isfahan province Department of Sports and Youth for Cultural and Youth Affairs on Wednesday announced candidacy of Isfahan city for capital of the World Muslim Youth in year 2016.
Mohammad Masoud Karimi told IRNA that Iran intends to introduce a candidate for the capital of the Muslim World in 2016.
He said Tabriz, Mashad, Shiraz and Hamedan are among the candidates.
‘Different standards and norms have been taken for the candidate city.’
Karimi said that Isfahan has all standards and added that in 2006 Isfahan was introduced as cultural capital of the Muslim World and in year 2009 as Islamic Iran cultural and civilization capital. He said that Isfahan has sisterhood treaty with 14 cities of the world. Istanbul was introduced as capital of the Muslim World Youth in year 2015.
The winners of ‘Y-Istanbul’ international short film awards themed ‘Youth Creativity for Global Solutions’, organised by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation within the framework of the Istanbul 1st OIC Youth Capital programme, have been announced
Istanbul hosted the international short film awards as the city was chosen the first ‘OIC Youth Capital’ upon its nomination by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) – an Istanbul based international organisation representing the youth organisations and youth councils of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States. Y-Istanbul Short Film Awards were presented to its winners at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall during the closing ceremony of the 3rdInternational Bosphorus Film Festival.
The film of Ahmet Bikiç from Turkey, titled ‘Mama’ won the grand prize of Y-Istanbul 1st OIC Youth Capital Film Awards. ‘Believe in Yourself’ by Guzel Usmanova from Tatarstan was awarded with the 2nd place, while the Spanish director Daniel Hernández Torraso won the 3rd place with his movie ‘Why?’. The special prize was given to ‘Beautiful City’ by Soheil Sadeghi from Iran.
1000 film submissions from all around the world
The young directors taking part in the Y-İstanbul Film Awards produced short films on the issues of ‘refugees’, ‘youth participation’, ‘forced radicalism and terrorism’, ‘globalisation and ethical challenges’. The Film Awards received applications from 57 countries including Iran, Sweden, India, Brazil, Comoros, People’s Republic of China, France, Spain, Cambodia, Lithuania and Turkey amongst others.
The films were reviewed by a jury of 5 members Adrian Tofei, Dzemal Latic, Franzi Zajc, Musa Akgül and Sevinj Iskandarova, jointly identified by ICYF-DC and International Bosphorus Cinema Association. 12 shortlisted films from 10 different countries were presented to viewers in public screenings at Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Centre as part of the 3rd International Bosphorus Film Festival.
The award winning films are available on the Facebook page and Youtube channel of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum.
www.facebook.com/oic.youth
www.youtube.com/OICYouth
About the Award Winning Films and Directors:
Mama – Ahmet Bikiç – Turkey
This film has been inspired by a drawing on an orphanage ground done by a child who lost his mother in the Middle East. The wars on-going in the Middle East for many years have separated countless families causing children to end up in orphanages. After the war, the children who grew up with fear and hatred keep these memories alive all their lives.
Ahmet Bikiç was born in Mardin in 1980. He worked as a photographer and cameraman for many years. He received cinema education at Mardin City Film House. In 2010, he completed his studies at Istanbul Kültür University, Faculty of Arts and Design, Department of Communication Design as a full scholarship student. He started to work for the R&D Centre of the same university. He acted as a director and cinema photographer in numerous documentaries and short films. He opened solo and group exhibitions. He is currently doing his postgraduate studies in Communication Design Module at Istanbul Kültür University Social Sciences Institute while continuing his documentary and short film works.
Believe in yourself – Guzel Usmanova – Tatarstan
This film describes 4 talented young people: a girl who loves to dance, another one who wants to sing, the one who wants to be a public speaker and a guy who dreams about creating gadgets, works hard on themselves to transform these abilities into a talent.
Guzel Usmanova was born in Russia in 1983. Following her graduation from Kazan University she received her MBA degree from the US. She chaired the Selet Foundation. For the last 5 years she has been engaged in various productions as a director.
Why – Daniel Hernández Torrado – Spain
This sarcastic film stands for peace and against violence. Produced as an expression of gratuity to the innocent victims of terror, the film takes a critical stance towards violation of human rights for the sake of any flag.
Daniel Hernández Torrado was born in Madrid. He has extensive experience in the field and directed numerous short films. He took part in many national and international festivals. He continues to work as a free-lancer cinema photographer.
Beautiful City – Soheil Sadeghi – Iran
The film introduces us the story of a young person who is concerned about his city while keeping his hopes for its development. The film is in Persian language and the cast speaks a local dialect of Mashhad city, the second biggest city of Iran that has been named as 2017 Capital of Islamic Culture. Due to language differences, there were challenges in the translation of local dialect.
Soheil Sadeghi was born in 1989. He took part in numerous projects. He worked on animation and documentary films at the cultural department of Mashhad municipality.
About ICYF-DC:
Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) is an Istanbul-based international organisation affiliated to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) of 57 Member States, and it represents the youth organisations and youth councils of the OIC states. ICYF-DC aims at carrying out advocacy for youth interests, supporting sustainable development, promoting formal and non-formal education, strengthening moral values of young generation and engaging in the dialogue among cultures and civilizations.
On 3-4 February, Shiraz, as a host city, was held openning ceremony of the Shiraz – OIC Youth Capital 2017, an important international programme serving development and unity of youth of the OIC geography. Upcoming events of Shiraz-OIC Youth Capital, along with Putrajaya (Malaysia), presented to distinguished guests and youth Representatives of OIC Member States. The ceremony started with presentation of “Flag Raising Ceremony” and “Key to Shiraz” to youth and concluded with the signing of the roadmap of the Shiraz – OIC Youth Capital between Shiraz Authorities and ICYF.
İslam Konferansı Diyalog ve İşbirliği Gençlik Forumu (İKGF-Dİ) tarafından düzenlenen “Küresel Çözümler İçin Gençliğin Yaratıcılığı” temalı Y-Istanbul kısa film yarışmasına katılan gençler İslam Coğrafyasında yaşanan sorunlara kendilerince buldukları çözümleri kısa filmlerle anlattı. Finale kalan 14 eser III. Boğaziçi Film Festivali kapsamında 20-26 Kasım 2015 tarihinde seçili sinema salonlarında ücretsiz olarak sinemaseverlerle buluşuyor.
Yarışmaya katılacak gençlerden “mülteciler”, “gençliğin katılımı”, “zoraki aşırılık ve terörizm”, “küreselleşme ve etik güçlükler” gibi konular başta olmak üzere toplumdaki sorunlar ve bu sorunlara yönelik gençliğin bakış açısını yansıtan kısa ve yaratıcı filmler hazırlamaları istendi. Yarışmaya İran’dan İsveç’e, Hindistan’dan Brezilya’ya, Filistin’den Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti’ne kadar toplam 57 ülkeden başvuru yapıldı. Festival boyunca 11 ülkeden 14 film sinemaseverlerle buluşacak.
Festival sinemaları
Festivalin gösterimleri Atlas Sinema Salonu (Beyoğlu), Cine Majestic (Beyoğlu), Tarık Zafer Tunaya Kültür Merkezi ve Nautilus Cinemaximum (Kadıköy) olmak üzere 4 salonda yapılacak.
Festivalin açılış ve kapanış törenleri
Y- İstanbul Kısa Film Festivali’nin ödülleri ise sahiplerini . Uluslararası Boğaziçi Film Festivali’nin 27 Kasım Cuma gecesi Cemal Reşit Rey Konser Salonu’nda gerçekleştirilecek kapanış töreninde bulacak. Fimleri Adrian Tofei, Dzemal Latic, Franzi Zajc, Musa Akgül ve Sevinj Iskandarova’dan oluşan 5 kişilik bir jüri ekibi değerlendiriyor.
İKGF-Dİ hakkında:
57 ülkenin üye olduğu İslam İşbirliği Teşkilatı’nın (İİT) gençlik ayağı olan İslam Konferansı Diyalog ve İşbirliği Gençlik Forumu (İKGF-Dİ) İstanbul merkezli uluslararası bir kuruluştur ve İİT ülkelerinin gençlik kuruluşlarını ve konseylerini temsil etmektedir.
Forum, gençlerin çıkarlarının savunulması, sürdürülebilir kalkınmanın desteklenmesi, akademik ve sürekli eğitimin desteklenmesi, yeni neslin ahlaki gelişiminin güçlendirilmesi, kültürler ve medeniyetler arasında diyalog kurulması misyonunu taşımaktadır.