Context Background.To fight violent radicalization, the youth sector must develop counter-narratives and be better at showing the opportunities it can offer to all young people. Youth work should be more vocal and explicit on the great opportunities it offers, inspiring more young people to participate, also through online communication. Though youth work alone cannot combat violent radicalization, it can address some of the root causes. It is important to use clear, non-discriminatory language when talking about violent radicalization. Being radical can lead to positive change, challenging mainstream thinking. There must be space for positively radical ideas to emerge, while condemning violent extremism.
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Objectives:In recent years we have seen the rise of Nationalism in our European democracies. Two levers are used by these parties, the end of national sovereignty that "prevents" them from taking the necessary measures by the fault of the European Union and immigration that would generate cultural tension, unemployment and loss of identity.
It is to forget that the European Union was created at the end of the Second World War to promote peace within it and that immigration is always a factor of cultural enrichment and economic development. We are a twinning committee and our association aims to promote peace and exchange in the European Union and the fight against intolerance and stigmatization of "foreigners" and "immigrants" whatever their origins, their cultures or their religions. In recent years, there have been tensions between European Union member countries over the issue of welcoming immigrants, especially refugees from Syria. Some governments do not wish to host these populations for economic, cultural and religious reasons. It is up to us, as European citizens, to defend the humanist values of openness to other cultures and to welcome those who do not have the chance to live in a peaceful space even in times of crisis. We must be actors on a daily basis to fight against conventional wisdom and misunderstanding. This exchange allowed us to demonstrate that the integration with migrants has positive effects for all, both residents and newcomers. It will also serve to explain the method of this success by involving the various institutions and associations that accompany these "immigrants". Indeed, for a better integration support is essential at the local level. We want to reach the active participation of these families who will be their best advocates against stereotypes. We will therefore involve them in cultural events to facilitate intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. It is by meeting, exchanging and going to the other that we learn to respect and appreciate it. After discussing it with families, we have planned activities aimed at fighting stigmatization. Participants have discovered the history of migrants so rising their awareness on the migrants issues . They have participated together in a culinary workshop, playful times around games and at various meals and ceremonies. To foster dialogue and mutual understanding, we also involved the youth of our communities. Education and culture are bulwarks against populism, racism and xenophobia. |
Impact:In order to give participants the possibility to engage actively in the project we promote a series of different activities whose objectives are:
- to involve people in the activities where they act as public opinion gatherer aiming at revealing how specific and discourse structures sometimes revealing more or less implicit prejudices that leads to discrimination and violence; - to involve people in activities where they will acquire skills to develop alternative narratives to combat hate speech and stigmatisation of “immigrants” and foster integration; - to immerge people in local workshop intended to dismantle and replace hateful narratives thus promoting democratic, intercultural engagement and civic participation. This project will have a positive impact on young generations and the society at large giving opportunity to be engaged in social and purposeful activities with a specific role model. |
Methodology:The project has included methodology based workshops, conventions, meeting with CSO to discover their daily work on the issues, cultural visits to discover the local heritage and cookery tours to share customs and traditions of participants.
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Potential long term benefitIn order to reach long term effects and longer-lasting impact on society the project is planning to:
- support local communities to develop authentic and credible messages to counter hate speech, extremism, radicalization, - create network of youth and youth with fewer opportunities, the civil society and activists aiming at supporting the development of counter and alternative narratives; - encourage initiatives of civil society organizations designed to counter radicalization through the promotion of human rights, democracy and tolerance; - support initiatives which contribute to the promotion of inter-cultural dialogue, reconciliation and foster integration - Promote a local, pluralistic, democratic debate, tolerance and universal human rights in order to challenge local non-violent extremist ideas which advocate for the destruction of democracy and negation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. |
Potential resultsDevelop and implement educational initiatives to equip participants with the knowledge and skills, to understand and reject radicalization narratives and to promote counter-narratives based on human rights, tolerance, and democracy. Develop and disseminate local counter-narratives
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