The Manama Findings
-- final outcome document of the Meeting

UNESCO and the Kingdom of Bahrain co-organised a Meeting on Youth@the Crossroads: A Future Without Violent Radicalization, in Manama, Bahrain, 15-17 June 2008. Opened by the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and by the Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, the Meeting brought together – under the chairmanship of Prof. Joseph G. Jabbra of Lebanon - more than 100 representatives of community-based and national programmes from all regions of the world as well as observers from several Member States. Andres Pastrana, former President of Colombia, and Ashraf Ghani, former Finance Minister of Afghanistan, were keynote speakers at the event.

Sharing of experiences

The Meeting allowed the sharing of experiences and analysis of some 50 best practice examples offering different approaches to counter violent radicalization among youth, structured along the following six themes:

• Building Confidence, Competence, and Leadership Skills through Community Action: Mentoring, Counselling, Volunteering, and Outreach;


• Curricular and Extracurricular Educational Approaches;


• Employability and Job Skills;


• Technology and Connectedness: Promoting Life and Social Skills, Networking and Knowledge-sharing;


• Information and Media;


• Youth Development Perspectives – Community Impact.

Conclusions and findings

In the course of these interactions, a series of conclusions and findings emerged:

1. 1. The theme of the Meeting,the exploitation of youth by violent extremist groups, has become of utmost strategic relevance in today’s world in every region.
   
2. 2. Worldwide, unwanted and unemployed young people are vulnerable to organizations and lifestyles that manipulate them with unattainable promises and often times drive them into violent extremism.
   
3. 3. Hope, opportunity, and a sense of community help combat the allure of violent extremism.
   
4. 4. Lack of educational opportunities, unemployment and the absence of positive life perspectives represent significant causes.
   
5. 5. Many different models of youth engagement, showcased in Manama, have demonstrated positive results.
   
6. 6. Sustainability has to be built into youth programmes
   
7. 7. Projects need to benefit both boys and girls and young men and women.
   
8. 8. Giving youth a voice and involving them in civic engagement are at the root of successful models everywhere.
   
9. 9. Most effective programmes are culturally relevant to their targeted youth population.
   
10. 10. Good models, be they local, national, regional, or international, can be scaled and adapted.
    
11. 11. Young people appreciate authenticity and messages conveyed in their vernacular.
    
12. 12. The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) helps build bridges and share knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
    
13. 13. Education helps improve critical thinking skills and plays a crucial role in combating extremism.
    
14. 14. The creation of open spaces for youth to get engaged (e.g. keeping schools open on weekends and afternoons for cultural and extracurricular activities) has proved to be particularly effective.
    
15. 15. Programmes contributing to the character formation of youth and a sense of belonging to a community can be very effective.
    
16. 16. An environment of sustained learning, of opportunities and perspectives can help to overcome ignorance and hopelessness.
    
17. 17. Effective and relevant curricula for young people promote hands-on, pragmatic learning, offer opportunities to practice teamwork and communication.
    
18. 18. Quality education and participation in music, theater and the arts stimulates the creativity of youth, promoting in the process cultural diversity.
    
19. 19. Literacy, skills, and accessibility to ICTs are key elements of successful projects and they help provide employment and livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
    
20. 20. Youth-led approaches, such as students teaching their peers, tend to assure a high-level of effectiveness and impact. Volunteering and mentoring will strengthen confidence and leadership skills.
    
21. 21. Efficient education and dedicated training programmes are of particular importance.
    
22. 22. The private sector is well positioned to provide economic opportunity and innovative partnerships.
    
23. 23. Employment initiatives have the potential both to discourage youth from violent organizations and to help them to reintegrate into society.
    
24. 24. Business leaders can identify and promote innovative opportunities for youth.
    
25. 25. ICTs can create job opportunities for youth.
    
26. 26. The power of media and information as a vehicle and tool for positive social interaction should be maximized. Improving and expanding the access to information and media for young people is therefore crucial.
    
27. 27. Media and ICT operators should engage to “give kids a voice” and to promote open dialogue with them.
    
28. 28. ICTs can serve as a catalyst enabling youth to advocate non-violent behaviour.
    
29. 29. Improve co-ordination efforts among all sectors of society.
    
30. 30. Promote ethical principles among youth and support the efforts of youth to foster a culture of peace and tolerance.
    
31. 31. Access to adequate sustained funding for youth initiatives is essential.
    
32. 32. As shown by Bahrain’s youth strategy, all societal stakeholders can contribute in a participatory manner to a positive engagement of young people.
    
    UNESCO is encouraged to disseminate information about best practice initiatives and projects, promote knowledge-sharing at all levels, induce the development of partnerships, work with other relevant United Nations organizations and consider reviewing progress achieved at a future meeting in a suitable manner drawing on all stakeholders.