UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has laun­ched a project to support youth-driven initiatives in education, science, culture and the media in Jordan, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, according to a press statement released on Tuesday.

Vladimir Voronkov, who heads the UN’s counter-terrorism office, (UNOCT) met Audrey Azoulay, head of the UN cultural agency, in Paris to initiate the joint project, “Preventing violent extremism through youth empowerment in Jordan, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia”.

“Working at the local level with young people [is important] to identify the best ways to prevent violent extremism and win youth’s hearts and minds,” Voronkov said, adding that the UN places youth high on its agenda.

The project supports young men and women to become responsible citizens, resilient to any form of abuse or manipulation, including violent extremism, and to address hate-related issues.

Voronkov commended the innovative work of youth-led peace and security networks, and stressed the value of young people’s ideas to improve our world.

Azoulay, the Director General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, added that the UN was working “with youth and for youth” to achieve this goal.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2018