On February 2024, amidst esteemed guests including Commonwealth High Commissioners, religious leaders, academics, and youth ambassadors, the 2024 Commonwealth Faith Festival was inaugurated by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, alongside our Founder, Sir David Khalili. The festival, themed ‘Peacebuilding through Faith,’ featured roundtable discussions aimed at identifying key focus areas and brainstorming solutions to today’s most urgent challenges.

Embracing inclusivity, the Commonwealth Faith Festival welcomed individuals of all faiths and backgrounds. Sir David Khalili emphasized this spirit of inclusivity, highlighting that “Everyone has faith – faith is putting your trust in something or someone.” The Secretary General called for a wider use of the concept of faith: “ It is about faith in humanity”, she said, “and our faith in the Commonwealth family to work together to bring about peace in our communities and societies”.

Given the decision to extend the 2023 Year of Youth until the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October 2024, the Festival will focus on providing young peacebuilders, faith leaders, and civil society activists with opportunities to establish relationships, networks, and mentorships within community peacebuilding initiatives across the Commonwealth.

The Khalili Foundation, known for its longstanding promotion of cultural diversity and interfaith relations, has been a crucial partner of the Commonwealth since 2017. Our collaboration aims to support youth from across the Commonwealth in global citizenship and intercultural dialogue.

Sponsored by the Khalili Foundation, outstanding youth peacebuilding initiatives throughout the Commonwealth will receive monetary prizes and grants to sustain their local youth-driven peacebuilding endeavours. The Festival will conclude with an award ceremony in February 2025, celebrating the remarkable contributions of these initiatives.