Researchers probe the roots of youth radicalisation

The ministry of higher education and scientific research has allocated TND2.5 million (US$1 million) over four years to support academic efforts to better understand the roots of radicalisation in young people, and how to combat it. Four research projects have been selected for support under the initiative – one in the humanities and social sciences, and three in engineering and technology, writes Khaoula Sliti for Al-Fanar.

Tunisia, like many parts of the Arab region, has been hit by several terrorist attacks in recent years. Elements of hard-line religious movements have been accused of perpetrating many of them, like the assassination of two prominent political figures, Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi, in 2013. Others have targeted police and security personnel. And in 2015, 20 people were killed and dozens were wounded in an attack on the Bardo National Museum in the Tunisian capital.

“This research will play a key role in understanding the radical discourse, the emergence and growth of terrorist organisations, and the psychology of terrorism and its impact on young people, the economy and society,” said Khalil al-Amiri, a state secretary at the Tunisian ministry of higher education. The initiative is a partnership between research centres in several Tunisian cities, university professors and researchers from the interior, defence and health ministries.

 
University World News

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