DESK STUDY
Within the framework of the project, a desk study, “Vulnerability and resilience factors of youth in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to the risks of radicalization and extremism” was conducted.
The main purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the causes of extremism and radicalization among Central Asian youth to threats of radicalization by analyzing the results of previous studies and official data from open sources.
One of the research objectives was to identify the most vulnerable groups of young people, including girls, who are potentially at greater risk of falling under the influence of radical movements, as well as to find effective models for increasing the resilience of society to the challenges of radicalization and extremism. According to official statistics from all three Central Asian states involved in the Project, the share of young people is about one-third of the total population.
THIS STUDY PROVIDES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROJECT, GOVERNMENT BODIES, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES, AND PARTNERS ON ENHANCING YOUTH RESILIENCE TO THE RISKS OF RADICALIZATION AND EXTREMISM
- A number of activities should be envisaged in cooperation with universities and the academic sector as a whole, in order to link the process of learning and research with practical results. Support the creation of creative laboratories, taking into account the existing interest of universities in expanding international cooperation. Establish a permanent platform for the exchange of experiences between Central Asian countries, involving government agencies, experts, scholars and clergymen. Based on the results of the discussions, make recommendations for introduction into the practice of state bodies and public organizations.
- A database of Central Asian experts, scholars and researchers on conflict sensitive issues should be created. Based on this work, implement a project component to build the capacity of experts, primarily from civil society and young university professors, including from regional universities, to teach them the basics of nation-building and constructivism.
MEDIA ANALYSIS
In addition to the Study, given the importance of the impact of the media space on the possibility of radicalization of young people, a content analysis of media and social media in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan "Analysis of risks of radicalism and extremism in the media and social networks" was conducted, the main o bjective of which was to identify the basic messages broadcast ethnic, religious and other stereotypes as well as the spread of extremism and radicalism ideas in the countries of Central Asia.
Analysis of media content determined the level of coverage of ethnic and religious tolerance as well as the potential for prevention of radicalism and extremism in the border areas in the media, and assessed the publications and materials of selected media outlets.
The study includes a number of practical recommendations for working with the media, social media, as well as for the formation of media strategies and other activities.
Based on these types of research, analytical papers will be created to serve as the basis for creating cross-sector and cross-country mechanisms to prevent extremism among young people in the Fergana Valley, and conceptualizing dialogue platforms.
- According to the study, the main factors contributing to youth radicalization and recruitment include influence from preachers using methods such as persuasion, pressure, and manipulation. Social media provides a means for communication, virtual participation in activities, and the creation of closed virtual spaces for like-minded individuals with extremist views, which accelerates the process of radicalization.
- The analysis shows that recruitment strategies in social media are becoming softer and more frequently used in national languages. Social media accounts for a significant portion of extremist content (over 80%), and there is a lack of analytical material in social media, with many news and informational pieces.
- Social networks in the information space take a significant share of the content on extremism (more than 80%), in addition, the lack of analytical material in social networks was revealed, often there are materials of news and informational nature.
FIELD RESEARCH
As part of the Project implementation, field sociological research was conducted to “Identify the problems and needs of youth in the border regions of the Fergana Valley” in order to identify the needs, demands, and problems faced by youth in the border regions of the Fergana Valley.
This research served as the basis for the creation and implementation of the Regional Media Strategy “Consolidation of actions of state structures, media, and civil society of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan to strengthen friendship, interethnic harmony and tolerance, formation of an unacceptable attitude towards extremism leading to radicalization, conflicts, and terrorism”, aimed at assisting in the planning of communication campaigns of state bodies, NGOs, media representatives, religious leaders, and civil society to promote issues of tolerance and peace in the Fergana Valley and in the transborder areas of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
