Much has happened and been discussed in the media in recent years suggesting links between youth and extremism. Examples include riots in the UK, shootings in Finland and Norway, and the rise of the extreme right in Central Europe. But what do we really know? Which of our assumptions can we substantiate? And what knowledge-based action can we take? This timely event, conducted Nov. 28-30, provided an opportunity to look closely at underlying causes to achieve a more informed common understanding, identify lessons learned, and formulate on-the-ground and policy-level strategies for moving forward. It addressed the key issues of youth policy and was one in a series of symposia supported by the Open Society Foundations and the British Council. The three-day symposium, convened with CEU’s Department of Public Policy, brought together 40 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds across Western and Eastern Europe who are engaged in international youth-oriented programs. The aim was to discuss insights gained from recent instances of youth involvement in extremism and to investigate appropriate responses. It highlighted two recent reports. One was The New Face of Digital Populism, published on Nov. 7 by Demos, a UK-based think tank. The other was European Study in Youth Mobilisation, released on Nov. 28 by the British Council in collaboration with St Andrew’s University.
The symposium included case-study presentations and focussed discussion of current research; thematic working groups; café-style multi-stakeholder dialogues to ensure the exchange of differing viewpoints; and workshops demonstrating the use of different tools. It aimed to distill research results and successful strategies and to establish a foundation for strengthening international policy and practice in this field. Budapest-based youth organizations facilitated the proceedings. Participants represented different communities from across Europe: academic, political, agency, and youth- led initiatives. Represented organizations included the UN family, youth councils, universities and research institutes, donor foundations and international NGOs, the police, and the news media. The event featured researchers from the Department of Public Policy, CEU, and the Center for Policy Studies, CEU, as well as CEU alumni.