Brussels acts to stem flow of EU's radicalised 'foreign fighters' | EurActiv

Brussels acts to stem flow of EU's radicalised 'foreign fighters' | EurActiv

The European Commission called on member states yesterday (15 January) to bump up their efforts to prevent radicalisation and extremism. In the coming years, a €20 million programme will seek to tackle extremism, especially with those young people who leave EU countries to fight in Syria or other conflict zones.

In a communication laid out by Cecilia Malmström on Wednesday (15 January), the EU commissioner for home affairs called upon member states to reinforce their efforts to prevent citizens from committing terrorist acts at home or abroad.

“Traditional law enforcement is important, but not enough,” Malmström said, adding that a broader perspective is needed to prevent such phenomena.

Some of the national actions suggested include training social workers as ‘frontline practitioners’ to engage with radicalised groups; offer ‘exit strategies’ to members of such groups; counter extremist propaganda online; and engage victims of extremist violence in the prevention of these activities.

The EU executive will also earmark €20 million for a ‘European knowledge hub’. The support centre will be set up in 2015 and provide input or advice on best practices to member states.

 http://www.euractiv.com/node/532812