Today@Dal

Published May 19 in the National Post:

The criminal radicalization of Canadian youth affects us all. It is not a challenge confined to Muslim communities; though too often, it is Muslim communities that endure the most pressure and blame. Many in the community have been at a loss about how to adequately address the issue, and put it in proper context, doing their best to limit generalizations about their communities, which may further marginalize their youth. Leading up to the recent passage of Bill C-51, these conversations were once again at the forefront.

We know that youth, from all kinds of communities and backgrounds, radicalize because they feel their behaviour is effective. But, what we don’t study nearly enough are the factors that discourage youth from violence, especially when they live beside radicalized peers. Even fewer people talk to youth, families and communities about what they think is working to prevent youth criminal radicalization. And, our research suggests that this is what will lead us to solutions that work.

Dalhousie University’s Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts (CYCC) Network recently hosted an event in Calgary that brought together community and religious leaders, youth workers, law enforcement officials and government representatives from across Canada. Together, we looked at simple community-based solutions for a problem that big government agencies have yet to solve. Rather than scrutinizing the handful of youth who have become radicalized, we looked at the resilience of youth who choose a peaceful path.

Read the rest of this editorial online.