Regional Forum – Smart Balkans
STRENGTHENING YOUTH RESILIENCE TO VIOLENCE AND CRIME
06-07 November 2024 | Tirana, Albania
Main goal of the conference is to examine and discuss the key factors which trigger and fuel violent radicalisation and extremism of youth.
CONCEPT
Rising sympathy of young people towards radical groups as well as obtrusive presence of intolerance in digital space becomes more and more disturbing especially in the context of current political discourse on migration, social rights or gender equality. At the same time we are witnessing that the values of human rights, tolerance and democracy are being challenged not only by young people but across our societies and even by public representatives and authorities.
Youth work is often challenged by the requirement to act preventively against the phenomenon and tries to find out what the key factors are and what the response should be. Public institutions on national, European and Global level have devoted their energy and resources into research of the causes of radicalization, preventive programmes, policy strategies and capacity building programmes for practitioners in youth work and education to prevent youngsters from being reached by violent extremist, paramilitary or terrorist groups.
It is understandable that for such a complex phenomenon we cannot expect a single theory on what the causes and key factors are or how should we approach it. Organisers of this first Regional Forum believe that there is already a huge experience to be shared by various stakeholders which needs to be reflected, evaluated or even confronted and questioned in open discussion. The Forum aims to offer the platform to bring together diverse perspectives, opportunity to share the experience and search for further answers on how we could empower young people through youth work.
The event aims to:
- Present and discuss current practices on prevention and resilience against violence and radicalization, prioritize values of young people;
- Share experience from youth work practice – good practice, problems and challenges from the field work.
- Discuss the current challenges and strategies of youth and education policy.
- Bring together the experts, researchers, youth workers and policy makers to advance a dialogue and create synergies
PROGRAMME
The programme of the Regional Forum will be structured around the following strands:
I. Analytical thinking and reflections on current contexts:
Perspectives on the concepts of extremism and radicalization: What do we understand by the very terms: violent extremism and radicalization? How flexible these terms became and in what context are they helpful for practice of youth work?
Radical youth in history: It might be argued that youth has always been and should be radical. How can we identify when the radical views uplift the society and when do they endanger it? How did the problem of violent extremism and radicalization evolved in the context of national and international politics? What lessons did/could we learn from history?
Causes and key factors of radicalization of youth: In order to strengthen preventive role of youth work, we need to understand what leads young people to identify with violent extremist and radical groups. What are the key factors influencing their choices, values and identities? What recommendations could research offer to youth policy makers and youth workers?
Current issues and future development: The radicalization of young people is just one part of more complex social reality. How does the social dynamics and current political developments influence young people in the context of radicalization? What are the challenges, which arise from the current political situation?
II. Youth Work:
Practitioners from the field of youth work have already taken the challenge of preventive work. There are already examples of good practice to be shared and lessons learned to be discussed. This event is an opportunity to participants to experience various methods, share the results of their activities and inspire each other through shared practices.
Prevention as a multi-stakeholders´ cooperation: How could we strengthen the cooperation of all stakeholders in community? What are the key elements and challenges we need to take into account?
Preventive strategies and methods in youth work: There are various methods and activities available for youth workers to develop tolerance, participation, discussion and conflict resolution. How can we work with young people who are at risk of being radicalized? How to communicate, leave the doors open for a dialogue and keep the safe environment at the same time?
Needs of youth and key competences for resilience: There are several concepts offering complex set of competences which we can work with (e.g. competences for democratic culture, global competences, intercultural competences). Do we understand them as complementary? How do we support them in everyday youth work? Is it possible to list the competences young people need to become resilient towards violent extremism?
III. Youth Policy
Youth policy shapers stand in front of the task to develop the strategies of prevention and initiate and support the tools of their implementation. Prevention of extremism is not the only task of youth work and its prioritization depends on the national contexts. Moreover, the youth policy doesn´t evolve in its own reality but needs to be approached from the multi-sectorial cooperation.
The role of youth work in de-radicalization and primary prevention: What approaches can we identify in prioritization of prevention as a role of youth work and to what extent do the professionals from the field of youth policy reach an agreement? What can we expect from national Youth Strategies and legislation? How such development impacts the local government in the partner countries?
From strategies to youth clubs: How do we ensure the evidence-based policies and the dialogue between practitioners, youth and policy makers? Is the public sector supportive enough?
PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS:
We invite all practitioners and experts working in the field of youth to contribute to the programme in one of the tree strands above and to share their practical and theoretical knowledge on the topics of the conference. Participants have an opportunity to present the findings of their work and commitment, results of their projects, to share their practical experience, discuss the different perspectives and thus build the vision in the area of youth work in prevention of violent extremism and radicalization.
Number of expected participants: 30 – 50
Target group:
first-line practitioners in the field of youth, youth policy, non-formal and formal education, social policy and other field relevant to analyze the issue of radicalization,
youth workers, social workers, community workers, educators, policy makers and advisors,
representatives of public institutions from relevant sectors,
representatives of non-governmental organizations active in the field of youth work, prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, human rights education and education for democratic citizenship
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The regional forum aims to provide an opportunity for various stakeholders to achieve fruitful discussion based on experience from the field of radicalism & violence prevention, youth work and youth policies. Organizers will therefore consider balance regarding geographical representation, variability of stakeholders and participation format in the selection process.
Working language: Albanian, English and Bosnian; Simultaneous translation will be provided during plenary sessions
PROGRAM
Day 1 – Wednesday, 06 November 2024
09:00 - 11.30 Arrivals of participants
11:30 – 12:30 Registration. Networking Lunch
12:30 – 13:00 Welcome Openings of the Regional Forum
13:00 – 14:15 Panel Discussions:
Perspectives on the concepts of extremism and radicalization. Causes and key factors of radicalization of youth. Current issues and future development
14:15 – 15:30 Panel Discussions:
Prevention as a multi-stakeholder´ cooperation. Preventive strategies and methods in youth work. Needs of youth and key competences for resilience
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 16:45 Shared practices: Building resilience among youth of Kosovo.
Peer Education Network
16:45 – 17:30 Conclusions and intakes from the first day of the Event
Day 2 – Thursday, 07 November 2024
09:00 – 10:00 Shared practices: Working with youth returning from conflict zones in Albania. The psychological aspects of resilience among marginalized returnees. Institute for Activism and Social Change and Shelter “Edlira Haxhiymeri”.
10:00 – 11:00 Shared practices: Advocacy and Community Engagement on Prevention in Bosnia. Association “Zemja u deci”
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30 Panel Discussions:
The role of youth work in de-radicalization and primary prevention. How to mobilize Local Youth Councils on prevention? From strategies to youth clubs.
12:30 – 13:30 Summary of two days and way forwards
13:30 Farewell Lunch. Departure
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Venue Details:
Location:
Hotel Mondial, Tirana Albania.
Accommodation:
We have included accommodation with preferential rates for the traveling participants. There are parking spots available as well. The address for those using google maps is: Rruga Muhamet Gjollesha, Ndertesa 90, Hyrja 1, Kodi Postar 1023.
Email: info@hotelmondial.al Tel: +355 4 22 32 372 and Mobile: +355 68 200 4642
Accessibility: Information about wheelchair access and public transportation options
Facilities: Wi-Fi availability, restrooms, and nearby amenities (cafés, restaurants)
Registration can be made through an email confirming arrival and departure.
Payment methods:
By card and/or cash. It includes cost per night.
Special rates arranged for participants: 65 Euro/night
Travel Information:
Nearest airport and transportation options to the venue (taxis) are available by request from the hotel. If not booked, taxis are available at the airport to the hotel at an average price of 15 Euros.
Visa requirements: Not applicable
IANS is providing lunch and coffee breaks during the regional event for both days. Per diems are provided to the participants to cover any unexpected expenses during the trip.
Contact Information:
Institute for Activism and Social Change
Rruga S. Delvina, p.2/3, Tirana Albania
ians_org@yahoo.com and mob/whatsapp: +355 6822079385
BRIEF ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The program goal: “To strengthen prevention efforts in Western Balkans, and increase youth resilience and exchange of good practices through Regional Exchange Platforms/hubs”. This Goal contributes towards strengthening the roles and capacities of CSOs and CSOs networks/ platforms to engage in the advancement of culture of tolerance and resilience to violence, while contributing towards inclusive societies for sustainable development (smart Balkans’ goal, also echoing with the priorities outlined in the Guidelines for Applicants).
Institute for Activism and Social Change is partnering with Shelter for DV and GBV Victims “E. Haxhiymeri” (Albania), Peer Educators Network (PEN) (Kosovo) and Udruzenje „Zemlja djece u Bosni i Hercegovini“/ Association Land of Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for a great 14-month timeframe project supported by the “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for Shared Society in the Western Balkans” regional project implemented by the Centar za promociju civilnog društva (CPCD), Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) and Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and financially supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).