© Eric Roset

9.1°N, 7.4°E

Educational approches
provide social mainsteaming
alternatives for vulenrable
young people who are at risk of
recruitment into violent groups.
Jonah Obajeun
About
Jonah

Peace
and trust

Violent extremism thrives when social
trust collapses. To prevent the radicalisation of
young people, it is therefore vital to promote
social cohesion and inclusion.

Social cohesion and inclusion

Economic development can promote social cohesion, but does not always do so. In Sri Lanka, Kenya and Nigeria, for example, growth has coexisted with protracted inter-group conflict, partly because large-scale infrastructural development has generated new patterns of social exclusion. Unequal or inequitable development can deepen conflicts and grievances, especially among young people.

Efforts to reinforce social cohesion and inclusion therefore need to work across a range of dimensions. Local and community mechanisms are particularly important. They provide vital avenues for cooperation.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet est. photo: Shutterstock
Jonah Obajeun speaking with young people

Five
components

Cohesion and inclusion can be broken down into five main components.

Material conditions. The quality of employment, income, health, education and housing are crucial elements of social cohesion, which is undermined by unemployment, hardship, debt, anxiety, low self-esteem, ill-health, lack of skills and poor living conditions. A society’s ability to meet the basic needs of its members is the foundation of its resilience and an important indicator of social progress.
Social order. For people of all ages, including children and young people, security and freedom from fear, as well as tolerance and respect for
others, are hallmarks of stable
and harmonious societies.
Active social relationships. Positive relationships between individuals and communities are another vital indicator. They increase mutual support and exchange of information, and underpin trust.
Social inclusion. People like to
feel included by mainstream institutions and civil society,
and to belong in their city or community, especially in societies that are diverse. In urban and complex societies, the degree
to which people trust and make use of social institutions (schools, government agencies, the criminal justice system) strongly influences public confidence.
Social equality. A society is not cohesive if its members have unfair or unequal access to resources or opportunities, including income, health, quality of life, or future life chances.
!

Take action

Young people can counter
violent narratives and confront violent extremism. They can transfer knowledge and awareness, identify desirable
and undesirable behaviour, encourage one another to participate in activities that
build trust, draw in people
who are isolated, and re-
frame negative perceptions.

We say

Promote: Positive relationships. Equal life chances for all. Civic engagement and participation.
A shared vision and values.
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Meet our young leaders and
learn more about their projects

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Mimoun Berrissoun Mimoun Berrissoun 52.5° N, 13.4° E
Ndugwa Hassan Ndugwa Hassan 0.3° N, 32.6° E
Fatima Zaman Fatima Zaman 51.5° N, 0.1° W
Hajer Sharief Hajer Sharief 32.5° N, 13.1° E
Jonah Obajeun Jonah Obajeun 9.1° N, 7.4° E
Arizza Nocum Arizza Nocum 14.6° N, 120.9° E

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