IYEP2 DECLARATION

Inter-civilizational Youth Engagement Program (IYEP2)

co-sponsored by

International Movement for a Just World (JUST)

International Progress Organization (IPO)

Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM)

Pax Christi Australia

Indian Council of Gandhian Studies

International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)

We, the participants of the Inter-civilizational Youth Engagement Program (IYEP2) 2008, held at De Palma Hotel, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia, 49 youths and youth leaders from over 15 countries, after discussing world environmental crises under the theme 'Green vs. Greed: Youths Reflect on the Environmental Challenge' over five days, declare that:

1. Nature, the environment and all the resources therein are a sacred trust for humankind, and it is critical that we manage them with respect;

2. Governments all over the world must demonstrate their will and strong commitment towards achieving environmental sustainability, societal rights and values;

3. The business community should redefine their priorities to encompass safeguarding the environment and society in their profit making initiatives;

4. The whole of humanity should reevaluate and redefine its needs in order to do away with the culture of wastage, in pursuit of happiness for all;

5. A thorough reevaluation and revitalization of education should be undertaken to ensure positive changes in society intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.

We make this declaration recognizing that we are the stewards of the environment. We believe that we should move away from a self-centered culture towards a civilization that emphasizes caring and sharing. We hope the leaders of governments, communities, and industries would take heed of our call and safeguard the planet for us and the future generations.

Kuala Selangor, Malaysia, 20 November 2008