In recent years our member states have been the target of several tragic terrorist acts, proof added to the need for strong action against this phenomenon, which knows no borders and which uses modern technologies and digital communication. For this fight to be a lasting success, it is essential to act as much on the root causes as on long-term prevention, in particular through education policies and of social inclusion.
According to the report published on 18 May 2018 by the Commission’s Group of Experts on radicalization, point 2.7 relating to education and social inclusion, it is clear that Education is the cornerstone of effective prevention of radicalization by strengthening resilience against radicalization. Teachers, educators and youth workers play a role crucial in promoting inclusion, promoting common democratic values.
And as specific recommendations of this group of experts: the Member States must increase awareness and skills of youth workers and professionals working with children and young people and participating in non-formal learning activities.
In order to determine and illustrate the role of youth work in this regard, with our partners we met in first step to research and show positive means and initiatives to address and prevent extremism and radicalization leading to violence among young people, and to examine how to strengthen the role of different actors.
“Media and critical thinking against radicalization and extremism” is a youth exchange project.
The latter perfectly meets not only the objectives of the Erasmus + program and this key action, but also that of all partners persuade that educational and artistic activities, especially the media, pose as a practice that can effectively contribute to the prevention of radicalization and the fight against prejudice, stereotypes, racism and xenophobia, and to recognize human and cultural diversity.
In this context, with our partners we decided to organize this youth exchange with 08 countries (France, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco and Lebanon), with a view to exchange their experiences and good practices, and develop their media and pedagogical skills on this subject through media education.
The youth exchange which will bring together 49 young people from the same partner organizations to exchange ideas and points of view, to work together and to express themselves through non-formal and media education, sharing and developing new skills.