UNITED NATIONS: Extremist groups like the self-styled Islamic State (IS), Al Shabaab and Boko Haram succeed because they offer young people opportunities to engage with their peers and pour out their grievances, hopes and desire for a world that is just and fair, a United Nations official told a forum on the role of media in combating terrorism on Wednesday.

Jeffrey Feltman, undersecretary general for political affairs, said the world can no longer afford to stand by and watch helplessly as the scourge of militancy spreads.

“While governments try to keep up through disseminating more moderate counter-narratives, today’s young people are not looking for moderation – they seek visionary ideas that capture their imagination and offer tangible change,” he added.

According to the UN, more than 25,000 foreigners from over 100 member states travelled to Syria and Iraq between mid-2014 and March 2015 _ an estimated 70 per cent increase in the number of foreign fighters worldwide.

Feltman, who also serves as chairman of the UN’s counter-terrorism implementation task force, said “manipulative messages of violent extremists are spread via Twitter, YouTube and other social media because they are attractive to young people” in search of adventure.

Published in Dawn June 5th, 2015

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