08.08.2008
In August the UK Youth Parliament surveyed over 1000 young people aged 11-25 across the UK asking them about terrorism and preventing violent extremism.
The survey found that;
- 9 out of 10 young people said they needed opportunities to discuss terrorism and preventing violent extremism.
- Of those young people who wanted more opportunities for discussion, schools (94%), youth centres (88%) and public meetings (84%) were the preferred environments.
- Over 60% of young people do not feel able to discuss terrorism and preventing violent extremism with the police.
- Over half of those young people who attend university do not feel able to discuss these issues with university staff (53%).
- 90% of young people from Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist backgrounds want more opportunities to discuss preventing violent extremism and terrorism, compared to 69% of young people who do not identify themselves as being religious, and 75% of young people who identify themselves as being from a Christian background.
Usman Nawaz, 18, Member of Youth Parliament for Rochdale commented,
“The effects of terrorism and violent extremism have an impact on everyone in society including young people. Young people from all backgrounds need to be empowered to discuss matters relating to terrorism and preventing violent extremism on their own terms.
“Young people have expressed a profound interest in these issues and therefore it is vital that they are given a platform to share their experiences, opinions and feelings with their peers and decision makers.”
Andy Hamflett, Chief Executive of the UK Youth Parliament said,
"Terrorism and violent extremism are shrouded in secrecy and a taboo subject for many young people today. Whilst they are faced with a barrage of information about terrorism on the internet or through the media, all too often they feel they hit a wall of silence when it comes to discussing the issue openly in schools, universities and with the police.
"We now know that - for a variety of reasons including mistrust, nervousness and misinformation - potentially healthy discussions between young people and other citizens are being closed down left, right and centre. Violent extremism can only be tackled effectively when all members of the community, and that includes young people, feel empowered to talk about it, and through those discussions understand how they and others can stand against it."
The UK Youth Parliament is running a series of events across the country (entitled Project Safe Space), enabling young people to talk about terrorism and preventing violent extremism in safe environments. The launch event was held in Newcastle on the 8th of August. Other regions will be holding events throughout the year.
The Project Safe Space events are an initiative of the UK Youth Parliament and the Association of Chief Police Officers and are being jointly funded by the Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
For further details about Project Safe Space please contact Leoncha Leavy on 020 7553 9896 or leoncha.leavy@ukyouthparliament.org.uk |
