Davos, Switzerland - Policies to boost economic growth and development will be important to prevent disillusioned youth from turning into extremists, French President Francois Hollande and US Secretary of State said Friday.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Hollande said that “it's important to have a growth-oriented policy, to create jobs, to promote training and education so that young people have confidence in their future.”
“The economy is one answer in the face of despair and poverty, one answer in the face of insecurity and instability,” he added.
One quarter of the 40 000 jihadists fighting in the Middle East come from other regions, Hollande pointed out.
The international community must change the environments from which terrorist movements emerge, Kerry said in Davos.
Although international military and security efforts were needed to fight the Islamic State and other jihadist groups, Kerry said that the outcome of the fight “will be determined by our success in creating prosperity that is widely shared.”
At the same time, he stressed that economic growth would only deter people from being alienated and radicalized if governance and justice systems were improved in many countries.
Kerry added that it was also important to carefully study the various reasons why young people feel attracted to violent extremism, including perceived oppression, ideology, economic consideration and boredom.
“We can't change minds if we don't understand what's in them,” Kerry said.
Hollande urged businesses to join the fight against extremism, especially those in the digital sector.
“I would ask you not only to be watchful, but to get involved,” he said, speaking two weeks after the deadly attacks in Paris.
He called for bigger investment in cyber security and he urged digital media to block illegal content and to establish clear rules.
“Terrorism is using internet as weapon of indoctrination and confusion,” Hollande said.
US President Barack Obama is hosting a summit meeting at the White House on February 18 on preventing extremists from radicalizing followers for terrorist attacks.
Sapa-dpa