Dr. Bahaa Helmy Writes: The World Youth Forum, the Nucleus of a New International Organization

The second edition of the World Youth Forum is being held from 3 to 6 November 2018 in Sharm El-Sheikh, on the land of peace and civilization, following the great success of the first forum. The first World Youth Forum was held from 4 to 10 November 2017 in Sharm El-Sheikh, with more than 3,000 young men and women from 113 countries taking part, joined by 222 speakers from 64 countries with expertise in various fields, and in the presence of a large number of leaders and thought and opinion leaders from around the world, to discuss international issues such as migration and refugees, democracy, human rights and the stability of Africa, globalization and cultural identity, technology and social media and their impact on populations, the importance of civilizational and cultural dialogue and shaping the future, combating terrorism and many other topics, in addition to holding a model United Nations simulation. The 2018 Youth Forum, with participation from 160 countries and about 5,000 young men and women, adds a new dimension: in terms of organizational capacity and the political will to keep holding this conference, which is currently the strongest platform for the world's youth; in terms of doubling the number of participating young people compared with the previous year, to express their views and their vision of their countries' future in a climate of freedom, confidence and hope for the future; and in terms of the global topics and issues raised and discussed, while highlighting the importance of preserving the capacities and sovereignty of states and the ability of their institutions. Young people are also taking part in a model Arab–African summit, implementing the recommendations of the African Union meeting held in May 2018 as part of activating the recommendations of the 2017 World Youth Forum. The idea of the World Youth Forum is an inspiring one and a purely Egyptian youth creation, and continuing to hold this forum in a new form and with new content is an innovation and a creative achievement not only at the national, regional or international level but at the level of human civilization and world culture, refining and qualifying young people, promoting dialogue between cultures, and developing the spirit of dialogue and respect for others. If the sun has never set and will never set on ancient Egyptian civilization, as a source of inspiration for the world despite the enormous technological and informational development, then President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's sponsorship of this conference – with its discussions of international issues, their various dimensions and their effects on societies, and its simulation models of the United Nations, the international parliament, the African summit and others – lays the groundwork for a vision and an ambition to establish an international organization of young people and civil society worldwide, as a logical alternative to the United Nations and the Security Council, as a natural development of young people's abilities and of their leadership of the world given their aspirations, creative abilities and modern technology. The General Assembly of the new organization and its Security Council would be made up of young people, with each state having one vote without discrimination, laying the foundations of justice and equality in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. Perhaps today's idea will be achievable tomorrow, so that modern Egypt becomes a pioneer not only in thought and creativity but in shaping the youth of the future and managing the world, by establishing a new international organization of civil society based on human values, confronting terrorism and preserving the human right to live under a sovereign state that protects people and provides them with dignity, health, a decent life and freedom – while entrenching the idea of states using the soft power they possess instead of wars, violence and the policies of stirring up internal and external conflicts that the great powers pursue against the emerging, developing and poor countries of the world to serve their own interests, regardless of any moral or humanitarian considerations.