OSCE Mediterranean Conference 2016 October 5-6, 2016 Session I – Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Dealing with Challenges for Youth North and South of the Mediterranean: - Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the OSCE

OSCE Mediterranean Conference 2016 October 5-6, 2016 Session I – Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Dealing with Challenges for Youth North and South of the Mediterranean:

05 October, 2016

OSCE Mediterranean Conference 2016

October 5-6, 2016

Session I – Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Dealing with Challenges for Youth North and South of the Mediterranean: Violent Extremism, Radicalization and Terrorism

As delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian

Mr. Chairperson,

We thank distinguished speakers from wide Mediterranean region for outlining their vision on how to counter violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism.

Radicalization is one of the challenges, which youth is facing in both in the OSCE area and the Mediterranean region. Radicalization of youth presents a security threat for the OSCE region and its neighbourhood, which needs to be addressed within the concept of comprehensive security.

Youth is especially prone to radicalization in those countries, with official discourse of hate and intolerance. Official glorification of perpetrators of identity based crimes in some OSCE participating States and the climate of impunity has served as a message of open encouragement of further hate crimes, including ISIL style executions and promotion of violence in the OSCE region.

Mr. Moderator,

Youth is also one of the primary victims of radicalization. The conflicts in Syria and Iraq took a heavy toll on the Armenian communities, including the young people, which were subject to atrocities and cross-border attacks of terrorist organizations. I would like to recall the recent tragic death in Aleppo of two teenagers Mirelle Hindoyan, champion of Syria in swimming and her brother Arman Hindoyan. Numerous cases of hostage taking and sexual violence against young Christian and Yazidi women and girls, recruiting of child soldiers in the ranks of foreign terrorist fighters may lead to loss of a whole generation of young people in the Middle East.

The young people from various ethnic and religious groups fall victims of foreign terrorist fighters, which in the name of religion threaten ages-old traditions of peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue.

In light of these developments we need to strengthen cooperation between the OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partners in engaging youth in promotion of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, design and implementiation of the regional and national programs, aimed at promoting trust, confidence and reconciliation with focus on youth.

Addressing education and employment needs of young refugees is key to their successful integration. Armenia, which is currently hosting over 20 thousand displaced from Syria, has adopted a comprehensive strategy in this regard. The Armenian Government has simplified procedure of attending Armenian public educational institutions for Syrian youth. Over 5 thousand young Syrian Armenians have benefited from this scheme. The Government, jointly with private donors and Diaspora organizations has provided scholarships for young students.

Refugees from Syria have benefited from micro-credit scheme thanks to funds provided by the Armenian government and UNHCR. Recently, refugees from Syria were included in a programme offering six-month paid internships in private companies in Armenia as a result of a tripartite partnership between the Armenian representations of UNDP, UNHCR and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). Despite economic challenges, which Armenia currently is facing, the authorities undertake all efforts to provide trainings to young refugees and integrate them in the labour market.

Thank You.

MFA RA
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