Youths take part in the Space for Freedom Forum
Representatives from 13 Spanish youth associations and 2 European associations took part in the event organised by Fundació Ferrer i Guàrdia and Moviment Laïc i Progressista
As of yesterday, over 60 youths, all under 30 years old, from different Spanish locations and European countries, have been taking part in the Space for Freedom Forum.
The Forum’s Youth Space attracted Gabriel Alconchel, Director of Spanish Youth Institute (INJUVE), and Vicenç Molina, Sponsor of the Fundació Ferrer i Guàrdia, who coordinated a workshop that addressed laicism and youth.
Over three days, representatives from youth associations will be taking an active part in the speeches and conferences that are taking place in the Faculty of Economy and Business, University of Barcelona.
According to Aida Leal, VP of the Spanish Youth Council, “the Space for Freedom Forum provides the chance to strengthen the current social framework for coexistence, diversity and plurality of all people.” Leal added that “the intergenerational approach allows us to connect the initiatives developed by youth associations with the expertise of the array of institutions that have historically championed the defence of the principles of laicism, tolerance and the respect of human rights.”
Stefano Marrani, representative from the Italian organization Arciragazzi, sees the Forum as “an opportunity to share points of view and strategies about laicism.” “The wealth of ideas is needed to progress towards the genuine defence of individual rights and freedoms”, said Marrani.
The Space for Freedom Forum closes tomorrow with two conferences: “The Relationship Between the State and the Options of Conscience: The Contemporary Model and Future Scenarios”, by José María Contreras (General Director for Religious Issues, Ministry of Justice), Oriol Illa (Vice President of the Fundació Ferrer i Guàrdia) and Toni Comín (MP and base Christian); and “The Traditional Role of Religion in Social Control” by Antoni Estradé (Lecturer in Sociology, UAB).
