PREVENTION AND COUNTERING OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND RADICALIZATION IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Over the last two decades, especially following 9/11, radicalization has gained strength and prominence, especially in Europe.Among the many manifestations of radicalization, the right-wing extremism and Islamist radicalization stand out as its most prominent forms in Europe.The immensely destructive power of this phenomenon has been a major concern of most European countries and has resulted in a number of publications and policies that attempt to treat this issue.This paper first lays out the varying definitions regarding radicalizationand looks into the factors and mechanisms that couldlead to it.This is achieved through a thorough desk research and overview of various policies, European initiatives, actions, and documents working on countering radicalization.It then discusses the most prominent and potentspacefor radicalization this being the on-line space.In doing so, the paper looks into the great potential of youth work for countering radicalisation as well as of good educational practices that address the phenomenon.