Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) envisions a world in which young people from diverse religious and philosophical perspectives interact peacefully to create understanding and collaboration, thereby strengthening civil society and stabilizing global politics. Our mission is to build a global movement of religious pluralism among young people.

IFYC is building a global movement of interfaith youth cooperation by generating mass public support for interfaith youth work and equipping youth-focused institutions to positively engage religious diversity and nurture the emerging leaders of this movement. We use a “shared-values” methodology that focuses on the commonalities different religions and philosophies share such as hospitality, a desire for peace, and a commitment to serving others.

IFYC’s five programmatic areas work cohesively to attain the goals of the organization which are to 1) build widespread public support for interfaith youth work 2) equip youth-focused institutions to positively engage religious diversity and 3) cultivate emerging leaders in this movement.  

Outreach Education & Training (OET) Program trains, networks, and catalyzes colleges, universities, and community organizations to make religious diversity a priority across the country.
Policy and International Affairs Program advances the idea that young people building religious pluralism is urgent within domestic and international contexts, with an eye to impacting policy and expanding IFYC programming globally.
Leadership Program develops grassroots leaders who are committed to advancing effective interfaith youth work by offering internships and fellowships, and sponsoring national conferences.
Media and Culture Program utilizes media and high level networking to create broad public awareness of the critical need for inter-religious civic engagement by young people, and inspires global participation by helping the interfaith youth movement tell its stories.
Action Campaigns coordinate national and global action campaigns that engage young people in building religious pluralism.

Since its first grant in 2002, IFYC has grown from a small grass-roots cause to a global movement. We have expanded our reach from working with young people in church basements in Chicago to partnering with individuals and programs from all over the world to spread the message of religious pluralism.  

This year alone, we will train more than 800 young people, reach 70 million individuals through mass media including Washington Post, CNN, BBC, ABC, and Good Morning America, and bring our message to key policy decision-makers and world leaders at institutions like the White House, State Department, and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.  

There are hundreds of millions of religiously diverse young people across the world interacting with increasing frequency. This interaction tends in one of two directions: conflict or cooperation. Recent trends weigh in on the side of conflict across the world — the Middle East, Bosnia & Herzegovina, India, France, England and even on the campuses and streets of the United States. Given the realities of globalization — including increased contact through media, technology and travel — as well as the diversity of religious beliefs world-wide — with 5.4 billion adherents and 16 major religions worldwide1 — the importance of shaping a positive response to interreligious interaction is critical.

What choice will our young people make? Conflict or cooperation? Destruction or community?

Religious Pluralism goes beyond mere tolerance for diversity and requires that we build positive relationships and work with one another.

Religious Pluralism means that we respect one another's identity, develop mutually enriching relationships, and work together to make the world a better place.