1. What is violent extremism and radicalization?
Violent extremism refers to the beliefs and actions of people who support or use violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals. This includes terrorism and other forms of violence. The conceptual core of violent extremism is an ideologically motivated tool for the use of violence, usually based on conspiracy theories.
Radicalism is the process by which a person demonstrates the use of extreme practices, legitimizing the use of violence, to protect their approach.
2. What are the causes of violent extremism and radicalization among young people?
- Marginalization;
- Inequality and discrimination;
- Economic and social factors;
- Bullying in school, family or community;
- Low social participation;
- Lack of general education and education on religious concepts;
- Earning rewards in exchange for membership;
- Providing problem solving for new members;
- Promise of adventure and freedom;
- Online radicalization through various social networks;
- Desire to have a position in the family, class, society;
- Lack of information on developments in the world and more specifically in countries where war is taking place (Syria, Iraq, etc.);
- Powerful experience of a traumatic event (abuse, ill-treatment);
- Involvement of family or friends in extremism.
3. How do we know when young people have fallen victims to radicalization?
- An immediate regress in school activities;
- Spend a lot of time in computer and telephone;
- Unreasonable delays;
- Changes in attitudes and demonstration of antisocial behaviors;
- Dismissed attitude and refusal to engage in family conversations;
- Showing signs of loneliness;
- Being aggressive towards you, or other family members;
- The desire to change the way they dress or look, which express belonging to a group (tattoos, T-shirts, pendants);
- Clearly identify another group as opposed to their principles and tend to blame that group for any political or social problems they encounter;
- Showing sympathy for various extremist groups;
- Included in the division of groupings, based on gender, race and ethnicity;
- Be intolerant of other faiths / cultures;
- Tendency for immediate distancing from family members and long-term friendships;
- Changing identity on social networks;
- Use and dissemination of propaganda with extremist content on the Internet;
- Experiencing racism or discrimination;
- Low self-esteem;
- Maintains an exclusive attitude and considers others who do not think like him / her to be exclusive;
- Show sympathy for individuals convicted of terrorism acts.
- Maintain communication and support Albanians who are part of the ISIS terrorist group in Syria.
- Show sympathy for the terrorist attacks carried out in Europe and beyond.
