The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), a body representing civil society actors in the Council of Europe, held its 2018 winter session this year from 22 to 26 January 2018, with representatives from the Baha’i International Community’s (BIC) Brussels Office in attendance.

While present at a session of the Education and Culture Committee on the theme of intercultural cities, Ms. Tala Ram, on behalf of the BIC Brussels Office noted, “Prejudice can most meaningfully be overcome when it is replaced by the experience and knowledge gained by working shoulder to shoulder with diverse people towards a common goal.”

“Community building initiatives allow people to do this, and to focus on what unites us and what we have in common,” Ms. Ram continued.

During another session of the Democracy, Social Cohesion and Global Challenges Committee, Ms. Ram stressed that the young people of Europe are not only a reservoir of economic and productive capacity, “but experience also suggests that youth have the capacity to promote constructive change and social progress.”

When discussing digital media and its impact on youth, Ms. Ram emphasised that it is not enough for youth to be protected from its negative influences. “If we really believe in the capacity of youth for positive social impact, then we have to empower them to not only protect themselves, but to contribute to reshaping those negative influences.”

The Conference of INGOs is held at least twice a year, in January and June, alongside the sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Baha’i International Community’s Brussels Office has been attending these sessions for a number of years.