Empowerment of young people is key to countering violent extremism, say participants in OSCE-organized conference in Albania

Preventing and countering violent extremism in Albania was the focus of an OSCE-organized conference for some 100 representatives of religious communities, local and central government, civil society and students held on 12 October 2016 in Elbasan, Albania.

The aim of the conference, organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania in co-operation with the local Muslim community and the municipality of Elbasan, was to bring together the diverse communities of the Elbasan region to introduce new ways of tackling the phenomenon at its roots.

Bernd Borchardt, Head of the OSCE Presence, said that while Elbasan, and Albania in general, have a proud tradition of religious tolerance, there have been influences reaching even this country that are inimical to such tradition and OSCE values. “We must all rise to the challenge of responding to the corrosive appeal of violent extremism by promoting tolerance, mutual respect, pluralism, inclusion, and cohesion.”

Skënder Bruçaj, Chair of the Albanian Muslim Community, said: “It is our duty to provide youth with positive models. We also need to promote respect for each other, common values and religious harmony and invest in our joint welfare. We cannot find a concrete solution if we do not work together.”

Sandër Lleshi, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, underlined the necessity for co-ordinated action by national and international players to counteract the negative impact of violent extremism in a timely manner.

The participants agreed that particular attention should be paid to the empowerment of young people, as they can play a crucial role in preventing other people from becoming radicalized or considering violent extremism as a solution to community challenges.

The conference built on the outcomes of a high-level table-top exercise held in Durrës, Albania, in September, at which practitioners and researchers from over 30 countries discussed issues related to foreign terrorist fighters and irregular migration routes. The event was co-hosted by the OSCE Presence in Albania, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the State Informative Service, with the support of the George C. Marshall Center and the Partnership for Peace Consortium.