How civic action shields youth from radicalization
Disillusioned youth are turning to radical ideologies—and our best defense is restoring purpose through meaningful civic engagement
Disillusioned young people are increasingly gravitating towards radical ideologies, underscoring the importance of restoring purpose through meaningful civic engagement. The International Volunteer Year 2026, a global opportunity to celebrate and harness the power of civic engagement, remains largely unacknowledged. As governments worldwide lose touch with their younger generations, many feel disconnected from public life and democratic institutions, often seeking artificial comfort in digital environments or extremist ideologies.
In the wake of communal unrest in southern Nepal, where Hindu and Muslim youths clashed, escalating into violence, the need for stabilizing civic engagement is more pressing than ever. Simultaneously, in Singapore, authorities arrested three teenagers planning violent attacks, two influenced by Islamic State propaganda and another by Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE), a violent extremist ideology fostered through online gaming.
These incidents highlight the growing danger of youth radicalization, emphasizing the critical role of civic engagement in preventing further descent into extremism.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post Academia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
