Youth engagement in combating violent extremism and radicalization focus of OSCE-supported workshop

Bringing young people together to discuss what role they have in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism, was the focus of a two-day workshop organized by the Directorate for Sports and Youth and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on 7 and 8 June in Budva.

Around 20 young people from across Montenegro gathered to discuss concepts and definitions in the field of preventing and combating violent extremism, its drivers, the national prevention framework and existing prevention programmes in Montenegro and the region.

Vasilije Lalošević, Director of the Directorate for Sports and Youth said: 'while young people are the most vulnerable to violent extremism and radicalism, they have the greatest potential to prevent it,' adding that for truly good results, joint action of policy makers, practitioners and the civil sector is required. 'Expanding the community with a shared sense of solidarity is important,' said Lalošević.

Rade Milošević, State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, said that young people have a great role in preventing and combating violent extremism. 'All segments of society should provide them with opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills to develop positive social values to resist the negative influences and propaganda of violent extremists and radicalized groups,' said Milošević.

The workshop in Budva was the third in a series on youth engagement in combating violent radicalization. Previous workshops held in 2019 and 2020 gathered more than 50 youth participants.