Tackle grievances and instability

Both ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors attract young people to violent extremism. Push factors include religious, cultural, economic, political, and ethnic grievances that influence individuals and groups to commit acts of terror or political violence. Pull factors include the desire for money, power, adventure, change, or sympathy for a particular political, cultural or religious ideology. Grievances, whether real or perceived, are insufficient to turn radicalisation into violent extremism. They must be framed by extremists into binary narratives that fit personal feelings and experiences into larger political frameworks. Those who join violent extremist groups may have widely differing motivations for doing so, but may be united by a higher purpose (such as building a caliphate in the case of ISIS).

She was suddenly transformed. Her first words were loud, decisive, and clear. For a 10-year old girl studying in one of the most ill-equipped public schools in the region, her flawless, articulate English and sharp wit surprised us all. She thanked our donors, remarked on the importance of education, and said how her scholarship will bring her closer to her dream of becoming a lawyer and public servant. In her speech, she even described her idol, the late Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago - an outspoken and brave woman and admired politician.

A few months later, I heard about her again, but this time it was not good news. Her father had been killed in a shooting incident allegedly involving the terrorist organisation whose presence haunted her town. In the same incident, her mother had been shot and paralyzed from the neck down. The motives were not clear but - fearing for their lives - the children had clearly decided to go into hiding.

We did our best to reach out to her. We believed in her potential and knew we had to make an effort so that it would not go to waste. We confirmed her scholarship, which guaranteed financial assistance, school supplies, and free use of KRIS Library's facilities and computers, but this time we realised she also needed emotional support. When she resurfaced from hiding, she enthusiastically went back to school. Though she missed a few months, she still managed to graduate at the top of her batch. Now at university, she holds on to the dream of becoming a lawyer and public servant, and her fervour is stronger than ever.

Her story is a common one in many areas affected by conflict in the Philippines. Often violence is met with violence, which creates a cruel cycle where both sides lose. Though the mission of KRIS Library promises libraries, scholarships and other forms of support to young people, what we truly give is hope and courage. Hope that a good future is possible. Courage to break the cycle of violence and hatred.