Young people must speak up in radicalisation debate!

In the wake of two major documents published following the terror attacks earlier this year in Paris and Copenhagen, the European Youth Forum regrets the narrow focus of the proposed solutions and that young people are not speaking up enough in this debate.

This week the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers published its Action Plan on the fight against extremism and radicalisation leading to terrorism. The Action Plan (adopted on 19th May in Brussels), which will cover the period 2015-17, has two main aims: to reinforce the legal framework against terrorism and violent extremism; as well as to prevent and fight violent radicalisation through concrete measures in the public sector, in particular in schools and prisons, and on the internet.

The Action Plan identifies young people as a key target in their activities to tackle extremism and radicalistaion: “Formal and informal education, youth activities and training of key actors (including in the media, political fields and social sectors) have a crucial role …” The Action Plan will seek to create “inclusive societies”, with projects to support “the work of actors such as local authorities, media, civil society (including the private sector), social workers and educators which are key in the construction and in the consolidation of more inclusive societies.”

Whilst the European Youth Forum welcomes actions aimed at building a more inclusive society through engaging with civil society and working with youth organisations, the current policy discussions at European level in reaction to the Paris and Copenhagen attacks are too focussed on immediate reactions and on curing the symptoms and they lack a holistic view of the root causes of such radicalisation. Broader solutions, such as fostering social inclusion, greater participation and tackling discrimination, must be found in order to prevent the marginalisation and alienation of individuals or smaller groups.

The Youth Forum regrets to note such a narrow perspective – in both the Council of Europe Action Plan as well as a recent EU Agenda on Security published by the European Commission - that identify young people as a risk group attracted by terrorism and that positions youth policy and, in particular, education primarily as prevention of such radicalisation. The European Youth Forum believes that the youth sector should speak up louder so that their voice and therefore a comprehensive perspective that reflects the reality, rights and needs of all young people, is taken into account.

The Youth Forum, as it outlined in its recently adopted resolution, Inclusive societies at stake, emphasises ways of tackling extremism and radicalisation at its core, including:

• Promoting citizenship through formal and non-formal education;

• Civic education as an integrated part of formal curricula to foster respect, responsibility and democratic values;

• Prevention of social divides and economic inequality to foster inclusion and empower marginalised groups to access their rights;

• Equal opportunities and access to rights for young people and democratic citizenship education are necessary for inclusion and democratic citizenship;

• Young people with diverse and minority backgrounds must be involved in policy formulation and implementation to ensure self-representation;

• Support for youth organisations and young people’s initiatives.

• The role of media is also key: there is a need for balanced coverage free of stereotypes and prejudice and to encourage media pluralism and independence. There should also be a focus on the development of media literacy and critical thinking amongst young people.

Some of these measures were also referenced in the Council of Europe’s annual report, State of Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Europe, which the Youth Forum was pleased to note and it hopes that these will be taken into account when developing the initiatives planned under the Action Plan.

These measures, as well as encouraging political participation – which continues to fall in terms of traditional forms such as through voting – must all be taken forward. This is particularly important in a climate of prolonged austerity, rising populism and intolerance, in which states must intensify efforts to prevent divisions in society from forming or deepening.