ABOUT US
Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) was established at its Founding General Assembly held in
Baku, Azerbaijan on 1 – 3 December 2004 in accordence with the resolution N 15/31-C adopted by the 31st session of the Islamic
Conference of Foreign Ministers held on 14-16 June 2004 in Istanbul. The Forum was granted with the status of institution affiliated
to the OIC by the virtue of the resolution N3/32-C adopted by the 32nd session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in
Sana'a, Yemen on 28-30 June 2005.
The Forum is a member driven organization and consists of 35 leading national and 6 international youth organizations.
The youth institutions of more than 60 countries, including the OIC Member States and non-Member States with Muslim minority
communities as well as 7 international youth organizations that are members to the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue
and Cooperation (ICYF-DC, an international institution affiliated to the OIC) nominated Istanbul to host the 1st OIC Youth Capital for
2015-2016. The Programme was approved by the OIC Member States and official partners of ICYF-DC in realization of the Programme
are Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Turkey.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Y-Istanbul 1st OIC Youth Capital Film Awards
“Y-Istanbul 1st OIC Youth Capital Film Awards” is one of the major cultural events of the Istanbul
– OIC Youth Capital 2015/16 International Programme. This event is co-organized by ICYF-DC and
International Bosphorus Theatre Association as a part of the 3rd International Bosphorus Film
Festival and will focus on youth. The Gala Ceremony of the 3rd International Bosphorus Film
Festival will be held on 27 November 2015 in Istanbul and the winners of the “Y-Istanbul 1st OIC
Youth Capital Film Awards” will be awarded during this ceremony.
Theme: “Youth Creativity for Global Solutions”
We expect to receive creative short films that reflect from youth perspective the social
problems prioritized (but not limited) as “refugees”, “youth participation”, “globalization and
ethical challenges” and “terrorism and violent extremism”.
Participation Criteria: the short films should be either directed by the artists/social
activists under 35 or focus on youth issues/perspectives on the subjects mentioned above without
any age limit.
“Photo for Tolerance +” International Youth Photography Contest
“Photo For Tolerance +” contest will be a great platform for young photographers to demonstrate their vision
of Istanbul, as well as its importance in terms of spiritual, historical and geo-political position to shelter the
youth of Islamic world. The contest involves an international youth photography competition, a festival, and
awards ceremony. The aim of the “Photo For Tolerance +” International Youth Photography Contest is to
encourage young people to describe the meaning of Istanbul in promoting peace, unity, justice, freedom,
brotherhood, solidarity, culture, art, history, kindness, morality and honor by taking into account the main
themes that are “Dialogue, tolerance and Youth”.
PHOTO4TOLERANCE
ELIGIBILITY
1. This contest is open to youth of all faiths and nationality between the ages of 18 and 35. Non-professional
photographers are particularly encouraged to participate.
2. It is open to both amateurs and professional photographers. This is not open to ICYF-DC employees and
their families.
3. There are no fees for participating in the contest.
OICYouthCapital
OIC Youth Forum signed protocols on cooperation with Greater Istanbul Municipality and Ministry of Youth and Sports of Turkey to
launch “Istanbul - OIC Youth Capital 2015/16” Programme “OIC Youth Capital”, the initiative of Islamic Conference Youth Forum
for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) received a boost today with signing of cooperation protocols between ICYF-DC,
Ministry of Youth and Sports of Turkey and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on hosting the First Edition of the Programme
in Istanbul.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony organized at historic “Sepetciler Kasri” Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov,
ICYF-DC President, stated that the initiative of OIC Youth Capital has a considerable importance for unity and sense of common
identity for youth of Muslim geography. “Holding the First edition in Istanbul will set and excellent example for about half a billion
young Muslims – example of Islamic solidarity and fraternity but also modernity, inter-cultural dialogue and youth dynamism.” –
said Iskandarov.
Appreciating the initiative of ICYF-DC, Akif Çağatay Kılıç, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey
underlined that the project has been well overdue and added that Government of Turkey will give full support to making Istanbul
successful start of the OIC Youth Capital Programme. Göksel Gümüşdağ, the Vice-Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan
Municipality expressed his pleasure to host the events in Istanbul. The parties called upon the diplomatic corps of both OIC and
non-OIC countries to provide the youth in their home countries to participate in activities under the programme which will boost
much needed inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue.
The audience comprising of diplomats, academia as well as civil society and youth representatives watched the
programme's promo-film and was acquainted with presentation on dozens of activities to be implemented from May 2015 to May
2016. During the ceremony Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov, H.E. Akif Çagatay Kılıç and Göksel Gümüşdağ have signed on
behalf of their respective organization protocols for cooperation on hosting and implementing “Istanbul – OIC Youth Capital
2015/16” programme.
56 young people representing their countries have participated in
youth actions on 22nd of June, one day before the Launching
Ceremony of “Istanbul – OIC Youth Capital”.
First, they had a Flash-mob event in Miniaturk and
implemented a theatrical entrance to Istanbul waving their flags.
After they have done the Promo-Action in Sultanahmet Square
informing local and international people on the project.
OICYouthCapital
The launching ceremony of “Istanbul – OIC Youth Capital” programme was held in the historical Beyaz Kosk, Emirgan Korusu on
23 June, 2015. The guests composed of diplomatic missions of OIC and non-OIC countries accredited in Istanbul, heads and
representatives of international organizations, academicians, representatives of youth institutions besides local and international
media were welcomed by the flag ceremony of youth from 56 OIC countries.
Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov, the President of ICYF-DC gave the opening speech of the event highlighting the
significance of Istanbul in terms of the Islamic world. “For the geography to have a solid future, investment of youth is compulsory.
OIC Youth Capital is an important part of OIC's youth strategy which is also contributed by “ICYF-DC's 10 Goals in 10 Years –
Istanbul Youth Declaration” said Iskandarov while calling all parties and stakeholders to contribute in the project for an effective
implementation.
Mr. Vasip Şahin, the Governor of Istanbul honoured the ceremony as the key-note speaker and underlined the
importance of Istanbul in terms of historical and geo-political position to shelter the youth of Islamic world adding that it is the time
for unity and integration of the Islamic World and youth's role in promoting peace and welfare is indispensable.
The ceremony was also honored by Mr. Metin Yılmaz, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey who
also declared full sport of the ministry to “Istanbul – OIC Youth Capital” project in which a variety of events, contests, conferences
and workshops will be implemented all year long.
At the end of the launching ceremony of “Istanbul – OIC
Youth Capital”, Ambassador Iskandarov presented their
plaques to the Governor, Vice Mayor and Deputy
Minister expressing the thankfulness of youth to their
hosting protocols. Furthermore, Mr. Ahmet Selamet, the
Vice Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
presented the symbolic ”Key to Istanbul” to the
representatives of OIC youth.
After the family photo was taken as the memory of the day,
the guests were hosted in Iftar Dinner given to the honor of
the launching of the “Istanbul – OIC Youth Capital”
programme.
OICYouthCapital
Istanbul Islamic Youth Capital Program’s joint meeting chaired by ICYF-DC President Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov was held in
ICYF-DC Headquarters on 23 July 2015 with the participation of the members of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to review achievements and to make progress on the Youth Capital
Program. During the meeting, ideas on the following topics (to be integrated into implementation of the Program’s activities) have
been shared:
- Strengthening the ties amongst the Muslim Youth.
- Trends and Progress on Youth Development.
- Building/Restoring collective identity of entire Muslim Community.
- Advocacy of youth interests.
- Social Mobility & Inclusion of Youth.
The meeting adjourned with adopting a roadmap of programs to be implemented under the Programme in 2015-2016.
ICYF-DC President Amb. Elshad Iskandarov has
received the OIC General Secretariat delegation headed
by H.E. Mehla Ahmed Talebna, the newly appointed
Director General of the Cultural and Social Affairs
Department paying visit to the ICYF-DC Headquarters on
28 August 2015. Amb. Elshad Iskandarov congratulated
H.E. Mehla Ahmed Talebna with her new appointment
and informed on the ICYF-DC ongoing activities and
future priorities. During the cordial exchange of views
followed the importance of youth issues in the OIC
geography was underlined and discussion held on more
efficient ways to develop the coordination of youth related
activities and policies in the OIC domain.
OICYouthCapital