THE PARADOX OF MAKING CHOICES: YOUTH RADICALIZATION IN PAKISTAN

Raziq Fahim College of Youth Activism and Development

Outline of the presentation

The Demographic Shift The Challenge Posed by Youth Bulge Defining young age Psycho-social factors Environmental Conditions Identity Maters Practical Implications Way forward

Youth Bulge and its corelvance with Conflict

The world has undergone a major demographic shift, with youth under 25 now accounting for more than half of the developing world's population. Eighty percent live in developing countries where economic, civic and social opportunities are insufficient to address the diverse needs of transition to adulthood. In Pakistan too, Young people today constitute the largest segment of the population, with 67% under the ages of 35. Half of Pakistans citizens are under the age of 20. By 2030, there would be 85 million more citizens.

Youth Bulge and its Likelihood of conflict

History shows a correlation between youth bulges and war or terrorism worldwide An increase in youth bulges of one percentage point is associated with an increased likelihood of conflict of around 7% Youth are instrumental in current insurgencies.

The implications of Transition to young age.

Youth is a complex/ sensitive period of transition: Physically [puberty, physical change,] Emotionally [hormonal changes + adolescent crises] Socially [Discover world through their own experience, sexuality, place in the society, shapes sense of identity] Intellectually [Push & pull - factors childhood to adulthood, sense of issues and solutions] All these factors make them prone to violence

Environmental conditions

Increased radicalization through achieving so called strategic objectives. Increased detachment of young population in positive social and political activity. Widespread Poverty and youth unemployment, Breakdown of traditional social infrastructure, the interface of tradition and modern. Inadequate educational opportunities/facilities. The influx of communication rhetoric caused by globalization. increased social and political paradoxes amplified likelihood for youths radicalization. Provocations

Individual Characteristics
Radicalization can also stem from a variety of psychological motivating factors, including:

- ideological absolutism (us against the world)

- necrophilia (obsession with death) - self-assertion (fight against marginalization) - self-identity (search for meaning in life) - youth romantic appeal and heroism - giving special importance to the activity - conformity, standardization, society - game motivation, adventurism, risk taking - groupthink (illusions of invulnerability, one-dimensional
perceptions)

Identity Maters

Study on the connection of conflict identity and violence Linear sense of identities, more comfortable with masculine identities. Aggressive response on issues related to prime identities which they feel are in threat, and relatively peaceful to marginal identities Majority young male feel their ethnic or religious identity is in danger while majority female responded on their gender identity. Perpetuate strong sense of others Prefer to use violence as primary tools and strategy. Swinging behavior in conflict situation

The implication of Globalization

Globalisation impacts upon young people in complex ways and forces them to constantly re-think and revise their sense of identity and place within society. Young peoples lives are constantly being influenced by new trends, be they cultural, technological or social. their economic position is such that they are more vulnerable than many other social groups to the uncertainties and risks associated with economic and cultural globalisation The rhetoric that might be associated with young peoples citizenship in a global community generally does not match the reality. Young people are in one sense citizens of a global culture but at the same time struggle for a sense of acceptance in the local societies in which they live. For youth, this is the ultimate paradox of globalisation There is a tendency, often re-enforced through opinion surveys involving young people, that considers the effects of globalisation to be unstoppable, and that it is a process young people react to rather than actively negotiate (Harvey, 2003; MORI, 1998). Linked to this is an assumption that young people are merely the passive recipients or vulnerable victims of global change. As Harvey (2003) has stated, Young people cannot control the speed or direction of social change, but they can and do have a say in the effect such change has on their lives.

Practical implications
Families: Tend to increase supervision and restrictions More arguments and tensions at home Young people: Swing between childish and adult behaviours Learn how to use / misuse their power: [violent crimes] Suffer from low confidence: [isolation, suicidal acts] Rebel against being judged: [own negative image, self destructive] Destructive response towards the issues [suicide bumming]

Equalizing the opportunities:

Global Citizenship: The right and responsibility to engage in politic, economic, social,

technological and environmental (PESTE) activities in order to ensure global equity.

Expression / communication
Recognize the value of what you have to say Express your opinions, thoughts or feelings in an effective manner Listen and understand different points of view Participate in constructive discussions Prepare and assert an influential argument

Awareness / Knowledge
Gather, analyze and assess information Embrace cultural identify (self and others) Learn global issues Identify bias and manipulated information Acknowledge and analyze different points of view Respect and value others

Action Taking
Identify and define problems Propose and analyze potential solutions Prepare an action plan Implement, monitor and evaluate your action plan Contribute to a group effort Identify and engage in effective actions Make effective use of your personal interests and strengths

Leadership
Inspire and mobilize others Define goals and follow-up Demonstrate resilience and perseverance Form local and global partnerships Facilitate team collaboration Make decisions and delegate responsibilities Make effective use of existing talent and resources Lead reflection on process, accomplishments and lessons learnt Celebrate accomplishments and acknowledge contribution Address inequitable distribution of resources

Understand your role in an interconnected world Understand the consequences of your actions

Self-confidence, Psychosocial well-being

Respect and empathy

Responsibility for community and world issues 11

Peaceful change for equitable and sustainable world