Agović: Youth in BiH exposed to extremism, strategies are ineffective

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The results of the "NO EXTREMISM" project were presented today in Sarajevo, and the best participants of the project, supported by the US Embassy, were awarded.

"The Center for Social Research 'Global Analitika' has been dealing with the prevention of violent extremism for five years, both in BiH and in the region. We want to emphasize how important it is to say no to extremism, and yes to sports. Through this project, we wanted to highlight how powerful sport is in the fight against extremism. Our goal is also to raise the awareness of citizens and young people, who are most exposed to extremist ideologies. The goal was to show how much young people themselves can contribute to the fight against this problem," said Anesa Agović, director of the 'Global Analitika' Center, before the meeting.

She added that research has shown that more than 80 percent of young people are susceptible to radicalization via the internet, and more than 70 percent of this population does not believe in their role in prevention. 

"Our project aimed to bring together young people from different parts of BiH where instances of extremist activity and youth radicalization have been recorded," Agović explained.

As she explained, the project was aimed at breaking down prejudices among young people.

"Based on what we observed on the ground, there is an increase in unqualified individuals and organizations who do this solely for money, which leads to young people being misguided. One of the project's goals is to motivate young people to engage with other organizations and the community. Mostar was the area of main activities, where we brought young people who had never been to Mostar. There, they learned about diversity," said Agović.

She also believes that young people are vulnerable to extremism and that it cannot be accepted that young people destroy property and behave extremely.

"Regarding institutions, at the BiH level, there is a Strategy for Combating and Countering Terrorism, which is set for the coming years. It is important to say that the Strategy is well-written and conceived, but that in practice there is much more work to be done and that insufficient progress has been made. The point is not to organize projects and present results, the point is for young people to present their projects," explained the director of the 'Global Analitika' Center.

She said that the entire BiH Basketball National Team, along with athlete Mesud Pezer, provided support for this project.

The moderator of today's presentation, former journalist Senad Pećanin, said that there is no more important fight for BiH than the fight against extremism.

"Extremism leads to hatred, hatred to violence, violence to war, and war to crimes. Public manifestations of extremism are becoming part of the agenda of institutions, media, schools...", said Pećanin, who also recalled the recent messages of Samra Ćosović-Hajdarević. 

"We are not drawing lessons from the past. This project is very important because it is focused on young people," concluded Pećanin.

The best participants of the project will be awarded accordingly.