Policy dialogue initiative on youth and radicalism

TAJIKISTAN

The project is a follow-up to the pilot Zivik-funded project ‘Tajikistan Policy Dialogue Initiative’, which Alert implemented in 2009. It continues the policy dialogue set up within the framework of the first project and focuses on youth policies and the prevention of radicalism. One of the key outputs is a policy concept on the prevention of radicalism among youth, which will inform the overall strategy on secular state-religion relations developed with European Commission's funding.

The project promotes participatory planning approaches, fosters social inclusion of youth and mitigates the tension between the secular authorities and the religious communities. The project facilitates dialogue on the critical issue of youth, religion and radicalism at a policy level, enhances dialogue and interaction between secular and religious youth, raises the awareness of youth on religion, democracy and tolerance, and enhances their participation in policy-making processes.

The project is organised around two strands of activity: policy development and youth participation. Within the first strand, a policy working group is tasked to develop a concept paper on the prevention of radicalism among youth and advocates for its endorsement by the State Committee on Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism. Within the second strand, secular and religious students take part in a student camp on youth participation and the prevention of radicalism, and in student debates discussing policy solutions and needs for state support to youth policies.