JEDDAH: The 2nd Saudi-British Youth Forum began here yesterday with young men and women from the two countries sharing views and experiences aimed at promoting tolerance and understanding.

The forum included brainstorming ideas for building capacities for youth participation organizations, such as school councils and youth parliaments.

The forum brought together 48 young men and women from Saudi Arabia and Britain to discuss the common challenges that young people face in the two countries, how to promote tolerance and how to ensure that young people can make a positive contribution in their society.

True to its theme, young men and women shared their hopes, dreams and frustrations. They came up with many bright ideas, and they were well aware of the challenges they should confront if they were to build a better future for their country.

Welcoming the participants to “the Bride of the Red Sea,” Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena gave a clarion call for “dialogue with everyone” in the backdrop of ongoing conflicts.

“We must know each other in a better way and interact regularly to fulfill our common aspirations and dispel myths,” he said.

Almaeena appealed to the visiting British participants “not to believe what they read in newspapers or see in 30-minute video clips about Saudi Arabia. There is no replacement for human relationships. We aspire to build people-to-people relationship through these exchange programs.”

He called upon the visiting participants to interact with Saudis to get first-hand information about Saudi society and to observe everything with an open mind. “So when you go back to your country you have a different perception about us,” Almaeena said.

Taking a break from the forum proceedings, Nimah Nawwab, a Saudi poet who was conducting the proceedings of the forum, called the house to observe a one-minute silence for the children of terror-stricken Gaza.

Britain’s Consul General Kate Rudd, explaining why the forum was organized in Jeddah, said, “Jeddah is the gateway to the two holy cities and also the gateway to Saudi Arabia. It’s more vibrant, hospitable and interactive. It’s different. That’s why we have it here.”

Rudd emphasized the need for interaction and effective communication to bolster relationships. “Communication is really important. It’s important for relationships, in family, in business, and it’s important between cultures to bring people together,” she said.

Marcus Gilbert, director at the British Council in Jeddah, said that today’s youths have common aspirations and identical concerns, and hence they need to come up with a joint strategy for shaping future.

“It is a fabulous opportunity for young people to get together and try to decide what are the particular issues they want to investigate and want to take up as joint projects,” Gilbert said.

Saudi columnist Samar Fatany said the main objectives of the forum was “to promote dialogue and communication in all spheres of life and to determine, verify and evaluate available chances of cooperation in cultural and educational fields.”

She emphasized that the forum aims to work hard to crystallize viewpoints and agree on bilateral programs in all fields.

“I see a new breed of moderates,” Fatany said. “With dialogue and tolerance, the young men and women can work together to remove the cultural barriers that hold them back. And there is no doubt that they will lead the way to a more prosperous future and a better relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.”

Other dignitaries and participants expressed similar views. Abdul Wahab A. Noorwali, a professor at King Abdulaziz University’s College of Medicine, agreed with the forum’s aims and objectives. “Nothing is more important than interaction and communication to bring together people of different faiths and beliefs,” he said. “It dispels myths and infuses a new vigor in bilateral relationship.”

Hatem S. Al-Arnous, director of external dialogue and international relations at the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue, said it is difficult to change the perception of a person at an advanced age, but it is easier to mold someone’s viewpoints at a younger age.

“Today’s youths will be the decision-makers of tomorrow and if they know each other better, they can make whole lot of a difference,” said Al-Arnous.

A number of Saudis expressed their happiness to participate in the forum to discuss ways of cooperation with the British side and described participation as a significant positive step in strengthening relations between Saudi Arabia and Britain.

Speaking on behalf of the Youth Forum, Tom Le Feuvre, a trustee of the British Youth Council, said the forum is a wonderful opportunity to build bridges between the two communities.

The forum is expected to boost cultural dialogue and partnership through pioneer projects designed by youths from the two sides. The projects will be presented to the Two Kingdoms’ Dialogue (a Saudi-UK joint dialogue project) that will be held in March.

The forum has been organized in line with the policy of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to enhance dialogue at the international arena.

The first such forum was held in London in October 2007 to coincide with King Abdullah’s visit to Britain.