Government Acts to Combat Youth Radicalization with Mandatory Mentoring
The federal government is taking decisive steps to combat the growing issue of radicalization among children and young people. Key measures include mandatory mentoring during suspensions and perspective discussions for school dropouts. These initiatives aim to detect radicalization early and provide support to keep young people in education and employment.
Herbert Reul, the Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, is championing these efforts to strengthen extremism prevention. The Ministerial Council will decide on making mentoring during suspensions and perspective talks in the education sector mandatory. These programs will offer both pedagogical and social-pedagogical support to help young people advance their learning and rehabilitation.
The federal government seeks to reduce the number of young people who are neither in education nor employment. Currently, around 9% of 15 to 24-year-olds in Austria fall into this category, with 13% among those with a migration background. To achieve this, the government wants to make schools safe and comfortable spaces for children and young people to develop. The Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence will assist in curbing radicalization within these institutions. Parents will also play a crucial role, with an obligation to cooperate during mentoring, facing potential administrative fines for non-cooperation.
The federal government's focus on early detection and support aims to tackle radicalization effectively. By involving parents, schools, and relevant authorities, these measures strive to keep young people engaged in education and employment, fostering a safer and more inclusive society.
