We Are One

"We Are One" drew on face-to-face interactions in order to catalyse dialogue between young people from diverse cultures. Young people from Asia and Europe came together under one roof to get involved in constructive engagement about the challenges they face in creating awareness and promoting cultural understanding, to forge partnerships based on the principle of mutual respect, and to map out their roles as ambassadors of cultures. The 5-day workshop, which took place in Melaka, Malysia (a place described by WYF as "the cultural melting pot"), involved presentations by professors and government officials, youth conversations, interactive (entertaining) activities, and cultural experiences.

Prior to the first day of the dialogue, participants had a chance to stay overnight with Portuguese, Hindu, Chinese, and Muslim families; this was a strategy for sparking respectful sharing of ideas that was to follow in the workshops. In addition to paper presentations and youth exchanges of ideas, intercultural games and craft demonstrations from the various countries were tools for encouraging exploration of different values - as well as places of common ground.

This process led to a youth-generated Plan of Action, which may be viewed on the We Are One page on the WYF website. This document provides specific recommendations for promoting multicultural understanding - especially as it affects youth - specific to each of the following groups: Government, the media, educational institutions, NGOs, private organisations, and religious groups. Here are a few of the suggestions: develop and broadcast more television programmes that promote cultural diversity at prime time (e.g., by using celebrities to draw in a young audience), establish a website portal as the basis for a youth network that promotes multicultural understanding and that links to the members' blogs, organise video-conferencing sessions between young people and the media from different countries, involve youth in national-level committees in charge of developing the education curriculum, provide funding for youth organisations to develop intercultural exchange programmes, and create avenues for constructive debate and dialogue for a better understanding of other religions and faith traditions.

Youth, Intercultural Understanding.

Launched in 1994, WYF is an international NGO that promotes research, development, and documentation of programmes working to benefit young people worldwide. WYF is headed by Rt. Hon Datuk Ali Rustam, who is also the Chief Minister of Melaka, Malaysia. Since its inception, WYF has provided a platform for the interchange of ideas among youth organisations both locally and internationally by organising various seminars for youth on areas such as population, HIV/AIDS, human rights, education, environment, and globalisation.