Morocco Launches Youth Program to Combat Radicalization and Poverty

The objective of the study, recently launched by the Bayti association for children in difficult situations, is to trace the path that leads young people to radicalization. The preliminary conclusions were presented and discussed on Wednesday, January 29, as part of a workshop organized in Rabat. The survey initiated was conducted among 200 young people residing in an institution or supervised by the association. They all point to family violence, poverty and the lack of social alternatives as vectors of radicalization.

In addition to these two causes, there is also the lack of alternative, cultural and sporting offers, allowing young people to occupy themselves and have other interests. At this level, the participants recognize the abdication of the State. According to the young people, when they are idle and lack supervision, they are recovered and turn to delinquency and often violent religious extremism.

To help these young people find themselves and reintegrate socially and professionally, Bayti plans to launch, during this year, a program articulated around two axes in Casablanca and Tangier: raising awareness among young people and their families and the socio-economic integration of the target populations.

"The conclusions of our study, once finalized, will serve as a basis for the advocacy strategy in favor of policies within the framework of the project. And we believe that educational institutions have an important role to play in the transmission of values and professional integration," says Yamna Talit, member of Bayti and responsible for this program.