SDGs ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION 2026

Round 1: From Common Ground to the Common Good: Faith Communities Working Together

In our increasingly interconnected world, collaboration among diverse faith communities has become more essential than ever in fostering sustainable peace, social cohesion, and inclusive development. Interfaith dialogue provides a vital platform for cultivating mutual understanding, dismantling barriers, and encouraging collective action toward common goals. Faith-based initiatives hold significant potential to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and promote a shared, inclusive future.

This roundtable seeks to examine how faith communities can unite to build more inclusive, resilient, and peaceful societies. The discussions will focus on how interfaith cooperation can amplify marginalized voices, promote women’s leadership, nurture the next generation of interfaith leaders, and leverage emerging technologies such as AI to strengthen dialogue and collaboration. By prioritizing mutual understanding and collective effort, faith communities can play a transformative role in shaping a more equitable, cohesive, and sustainable future for everyone.

Key areas for discussion include:

• Empowering Marginalized Voices and Faith Communities: Strategies for amplifying underrepresented groups and fostering inclusive participation within interfaith initiatives.  
• Amplifying Women’s Voices in Interfaith Leadership: Promoting gender equality and empowering women to take active roles in faith-based dialogue and decision-making processes.  
• Fostering the Next Generation of Interfaith Leaders: Nurturing young leaders to sustain and expand interfaith efforts in diverse communities.  
• The Impact of AI and Technology on Interfaith Dialogue: Exploring how digital tools and artificial intelligence can enhance communication, understanding, and collaboration across faith boundaries.

Through interfaith and intercultural dialogue, shared learning, and collective action, this roundtable seeks to strengthen the capacity of faith communities to work together effectively, contributing to the SDGs and fostering lasting peace and social harmony for future generations.

Round 2: Global Youth Voices on AI, Democracy, and Human-Rights Based Digitalization

As digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) become more deeply embedded in everyday life, their impact on democracy, human rights, and social cohesion is increasingly significant. Young people, as digital natives and active agents of societal change, are uniquely positioned to influence and shape the trajectory of digital evolution. It is crucial to incorporate youth perspectives into conversations about AI and digital governance to ensure that technological progress benefits society, upholds democratic principles, and safeguards human rights.  

This youth panel will serve as a platform for young leaders and innovators to share their insights, experiences, and creative solutions related to AI and digital transformation. The session will emphasize empowering youth participation in governance, examining AI’s potential to address societal challenges, and promoting responsible digital citizenship.

Key areas for discussion include:

• • AI for Social Good: Exploring the potential of AI to address global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and inequality; showcasing youth-led projects and initiatives leveraging AI for positive social impact.

• Youth Participation in Governance and Decision-Making: Discussing avenues for young people to influence policy and digital governance; highlighting youth-led advocacy and platforms that facilitate engagement with policymakers.

• Impact of AI on Democratic Processes and Civic Engagement: Analyzing how AI influences electoral processes, public discourse, and civic participation; addressing challenges such as algorithmic bias, censorship, and digital manipulation.

• Innovative Approaches to Combat Misinformation and Enhance Media Literacy: Sharing strategies and tools developed by youth to combat misinformation; promoting media literacy education to empower young people to critically evaluate information.

• Youth Initiatives to Reduce Polarization, Hatred, and Hostility: Presenting innovative projects aimed at fostering inclusivity, dialogue, and understanding in pluralistic societies; discussing the role of digital platforms and community engagement in building social cohesion.

• Youth and Digital Tools for Peacebuilding: Discussing the role of digital platforms and social media in mobilizing youth for peacebuilding efforts; Exploring how digital platforms and strategies amplify youth voices in conflict prevention and reconciliation processes. 
  

This youth panel will serve as a dynamic forum for young people to express their visions, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions that leverage AI for democracy, human rights, and social cohesion. By elevating youth voices, we aim to foster a more inclusive and responsible digital future aligned with the principles of human rights and democratic