Internet and the Radicalization of Youth: Preventing, Acting and Living Together

Violent extremism is not associated with any particular religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. Quite the contrary, due to its global dimension, the phenomenon of radicalization leading to violence poses threats to the security and fundamental rights of the citizens of all our societies.

These trends must be seen in light of the increasingly blended off-line and on-line lives, especially of young women and men, which increases the need to address the ICT-related dimensions of youth radicalization and extremism leading to violence. This complex challenge requires innovative, lasting and global solutions, underpinned by a strong commitment to cooperation and coordination between all relevant stakeholders at a national and international level.

Building on existing initiatives, UNESCO and the Government of Quebec will organize, from October 30th to November 1st 2016, an international conference of high level experts entitled "Internet and the radicalization of youth: Preventing, Acting and Living together". Following the first-ever conference organized by UNESCO on this subject, which was held in June 2015 at its Headquarters in Paris, this event will bring together in Québec City up to 400 participants. Researchers, experts, civil society representatives as well as government officials will gather for three days to identify innovative and collaborative projects at the national and international level, not only to prevent but to curb youth radicalization leading to violence. As part of UNESCO’s intergovernmental Information for All Programme (IFAP), this event will pay a special attention to the role the Internet and media play in the radicalization of youth.

Video

Preventing violent extremism and radicalization of youth
A message from Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth

During the international conference "Internet and the radicalization of youth: Preventing, Acting and Living together", that took place in Quebec from 30th October to 1st November 2016, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, shared a message on the ways to counter radicalization of youth leading to violent extremism. He calls for a constructive dialogue and stresses the need to “engage young people in the consolidation of peace" by recalling UN Resolution 2250, which urges member countries to increase representation of youth in decision-making at all levels.