Prevention of Radicalisation
In January 2009 the Danish government launched a national action plan, A Common and Safe Future, to prevent extremist views and radicalisation among young people. The main objectives of the plan are:
- To ensure that society identifies and deals with specific problems of extremism in a timely manner, and that the extremist propaganda is met with objective information and alternatives for the young people.
- To safeguard and develop Denmark as a democratic society with freedom, responsibility, equality and opportunities for all, hence diminishing the growth conditions of extremism.
The Government wishes to implement 22 specific initiatives divided into seven focus areas:
- Direct contact with the young people in order to reach and de-radicalise young people involved in extremism. Initiatives within this focus area are among others individual preventive talks, mentoring schemes and development of a handbook on extremism.
- Inclusion based on rights and obligations focusing on equal treatment, anti-discrimination and the responsibilities of young people and their parents as participating citizens.
- Dialogue and information to counter myths with facts and to give better opportunities for dialogue and voicing different viewpoints. Initiatives are among others use of role models, campaign activities, increased dialogue and information on Denmark’s foreign policy.
- Democratic cohesion through civic education and active participation in associations. Establishing a democratic platform for youngsters is one initiative aiming at reaching youngsters feeling excluded from society.
- Efforts in vulnerable residential areas in order to reverse negative trends and to avoid isolation of certain groups in society.
- Special initiatives in prisons - e.g. better training of prison staff and teaching of democratic skills to prisoners.
- Knowledge, co-operation and partnerships. Initiatives to strengthen the knowledge base of the authorities as well as strengthen partnerships and exchange of experiences within this field.
Link to the action plan
The development of the action plan began in January 2008 when the Government set up a group of government officials which in June 2008 put forward a report proposing a number of initiatives to prevent extremism and radicalisation. The proposal built on research studies, the strategic EU co-operation, experience from other countries and an assessment of the specific Danish challenges.
In order to promote broad dialogue on the preventive efforts, the Government initiated a public consultation and dialogue process with the participation of municipalities, organisations, research institutions etc. This process laid part of the foundation for the Government considerations behind the elaboration of the final action plan.
Link to the original proposal for an action plan