The forum of young leaders of Eurasia was held at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH) in Moscow: about one hundred delegates from the former Soviet republics, young representatives of scientific and expert communities, public and non-governmental organizations, the media, as well as eminent experts took part in the forum titled "Youth against extremism and radicalism".
President of the Russian State University for the Humanities, Professor Yefim Pivovar said that any university is a project of the future, as it ensures the education of young people, who will pass on these skills to the next generations: "First of all, education looks to the future. This forum also looks to the future, because the youth struggle against extremism and radicalism must be uncompromising. If this process is not curbed, not controlled, if tensions are not reduced, then the youth will not have a future. Radicalism and extremism are opposite phenomena to a positive, constructive development of any society".
According to Yefim Pivovar, the young generation of any country has its own national interests, own priorities, which need to be respected, known and considered, but there are also common interests, such as the fight against radicalism and extremism: "Today two processes take place at once. On the one hand, unfortunately, radicalism and extremism are gaining momentum, they are growing, there are a lot of interested structures. On the other hand, in the context of the information society, the disputes of this potion penetrate very quickly through social networks, through forums, online projects, through the rapid acceleration, distribution and transfer of information. We should strengthen our interaction in this sphere as well, because it is already clear that there are a lot of threats in cyberspace, in the information space, and in conditions of the information society they are increasing."
Azerbaijan's politician and public figure, Milli Majlis deputy Rasim Musabekov said that the issue of increasing the resistance of the society to manifestations of extremism, of learning to deal appropriately with them is acute today: "The issue of using new communication tools by those trying to promote extremist ideas, ideologies and organizations in society. The issue of dealing appropriately with these challenges. There are several directions. The law enforcement structures should work in situations when concrete manifestations of extremism are already evident. But there is a part that concerns educational work: educational institutions, the media. The youth organizations, which should give alternatives for young people who are searching for their identity in this life, is rather important segment. Sometimes heightened emotionality, lack of life experience push people in the directions, which can distort both their lives and the lives of those people who will be in touch with them."
According to Musabekov, about one thousand people from Azerbaijan were recruited by extremist groups, leaving for Syria and Iraq, but a much larger number of people were registered in Central Asia, Russia: "This should concern both those who are engaged in the prevention of this kind of actions and those, who are involved in preventing young people from joining the network of extremist organizations and their leaders. The important moment for young people is a search for the meaning of life. In this sense, there is a lot of ground to cover for youth organizations. It is important to create social networks, organizations and such projects in which young people will find meaning, being united by a common cause, projects where there's empathy, compassion, which give a sense of belonging to some kind of community. It makes life easier and gives it a necessary sense."
