YOUTH RADICALIZATION AND APPROACHES TO PREVENTION: EXPERIENCES OF YOUTH WORKERS

Öz

This study aims to understand youth radicalization and develop prevention-oriented recommendations based on the observations and experiences of youth workers. The research was conducted using qualitative methods and is based on semi-structured interviews with 15 youth workers from various provinces in Türkiye in 2024. Data analyzed using MAXQDA software were categorized under the themes of “Understanding Radicalization,” “Factors Influencing Radicalization,”, “Combating Radicalization,” and “Recommendations for Preventing and Combating Radicalization.” The findings reveal that youth radicalization is shaped by ideological beliefs, aggressive behaviors, and the influence of digital media. Social media use, economic deprivation, and the search for belonging are identified as key factors that increase youth susceptibility to radicalization. The study highlights the importance of education, awareness efforts, and community collaboration in combating radicalization. Critical thinking education has been found to be effective in fostering youth resilience to radical ideologies, while resource allocation and inter-institutional collaboration are deemed crucial for sustainability. The findings underline the need for comprehensive strategies to prevent radicalization effectively.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Radicalism
• youth radicalization
• youth worker
• Türkiye.

Destekleyen Kurum

European Union

Proje Numarası

2022-1-TR01-KA220-YOU-000090238

Etik Beyan

Compliance with the ethical rules of the relevant study has been declared.

Teşekkür

Special thanks go to all the partner organizations, including The Diplomacy Foundation, COJEP International, The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM), The University of Salamanca, and Hitit University, for their invaluable collaboration and contributions. Their commitment to combating radicalization through education and youth work has been instrumental in the successful execution of this project.

GENÇLİK RADİKALLEŞMESİ VE ÖNLEME YAKLAŞIMLARI: GENÇLİK ÇALIŞANLARININ DENEYİMLERİ

Öz

Bu çalışma, gençlik çalışanlarının gözlemleri ve deneyimleri temelinde gençlik radikalleşmesini anlamayı ve önlemeye yönelik öneriler geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, nitel yöntemle yürütülmüş ve 2024 yılında Türkiye’nin çeşitli illerinden 15 gençlik çalışanıyla yapılan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelere dayanmaktadır. MAXQDA yazılımı kullanılarak analiz edilen veriler, “Radikalleşmeyi Anlamak,” “Radikalleşmeyi Etkileyen Faktörler,” “Radikalleşmeyle Mücadele,” ve “Radikalleşmenin Önlenmesi ve Mücadele için Öneriler” temaları altında kategorize edilmiştir. Bulgular, gençlik radikalleşmesinin ideolojik inançlar, agresif davranışlar ve dijital medyanın etkisiyle şekillendiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Sosyal medya kullanımı, ekonomik yoksunluk ve aidiyet arayışı, gençlerin radikalleşmeye yatkınlığını artıran temel faktörler olarak tanımlanmıştır. Araştırma, radikalleşmeyle mücadelede eğitimin, farkındalık çabalarının ve toplumsal iş birliğinin önemini vurgulamaktadır. Eleştirel düşünme eğitiminin, gençlerin radikal ideolojilere karşı direnç kazanmalarını desteklemede etkili olduğu, kaynak tahsisi ve kurumlar arası iş birliğinin ise sürdürülebilirlik açısından kritik öneme sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bulgular, radikalleşmenin etkili bir şekilde önlenmesi için kapsamlı stratejilere duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Radikalizm
• gençlik radikalleşmesi
• gençlik çalışanı
• Türkiye

Proje Numarası

2022-1-TR01-KA220-YOU-000090238

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