Young Leaders Carry Forward Pope Francis’ Legacy of Human Fraternity in Jakarta

The seeds of human fraternity, first planted by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb through their historic 2019 declaration in Abu Dhabi, are now bearing fruit in a new generation.

This August, ten young leaders from across the globe gathered in Jakarta for the second edition of the Human Fraternity Fellowship Program, a global initiative nurturing future peacebuilders dedicated to interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural understanding. 

As reported by Vatican News, the program was jointly organized by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs.

More than just a leadership program, the Fellowship is a living expression of the Document on Human Fraternity, a bold commitment to peace, solidarity, and mutual respect, signed by the Pope and the Grand Imam five years ago. That vision has now been entrusted to young minds, ready to carry its message into new contexts and communities.

The program combined a series of virtual seminars with an immersive one-week tour in Indonesia’s capital. Fellows received practical training in dialogue, conflict transformation, and grassroots peacebuilding. 

During their time in Jakarta, they engaged directly with prominent Indonesian leaders, including Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, and Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, former Vice President of Indonesia and a former member of the Zayed Award judging committee.

Their visits to institutions such as a Muhammadiyah-run hospital and the historic Dharma Bakti Chinese temple provided tangible encounters with Indonesia’s spirit of religious pluralism. Through these engagements, fellows witnessed how human fraternity is not just an ideal but a living practice, deeply embedded in the fabric of Indonesian society.

A special public event hosted at Georgetown University’s Asia-Pacific campus in Jakarta gave space for shared reflection on the ongoing relevance of Pope Francis’ vision, particularly among the youth. The week concluded with a gala dinner, held in partnership with the UAE Embassy in Jakarta, signaling shared regional and global commitment to the values of fraternity.

Speaking at the close of the program, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, praised the young participants.

“We are proud to empower these young people to become bridge-builders between cultures and religions. They are role models in advancing the values of human fraternity worldwide,” he said, as cited by Vatican News.

Fellows echoed this conviction. Shahaan Shafi of Georgetown University spoke of a renewed personal mission:

“There is a profound empowerment in knowing we are continuing the call of Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Tayeb for human fraternity.”

Aarushi Prasad of New York University reflected on the rare privilege of learning from Indonesia’s unique religious landscape, while Amna Al Baskati, representing the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, expressed a generational sense of purpose:

“It is our generation’s responsibility to uphold this legacy and help shape a better world for those who follow.”

According to Vatican News, the judging committee for the Zayed Award includes notable global figures such as the former President of the European Council, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Head of UNICEF, and Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan — underscoring the Award’s international credibility and reach.

As the fellowship concludes, its impact is just beginning. Pope Francis’ dream of a world where people of all faiths live not in suspicion, but in solidarity, is no longer limited to declarations. It is becoming a reality, in classrooms, in communities, and this month, in the vibrant streets of Jakarta.

Here, the legacy of human fraternity found not only remembrance but renewal.