27 May 2008, 14:14
Problems of youth radicalism discussed in Kabardino-Balkaria
On May 26-27, Kabardino-Balkaria held public hearing on the topic "Youth and Radicalism", organized by the Commission for Interethnic Relations and Freedom of Worship of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
The hearing was preceded by a short press conference, where journalist and TV showman Nikolai Svanidze, who chairs the above Commission, said that the idea of the hearing was to form public opinion, interact with the regional expert's community, strengthen horizontal ties and define the role of civil society institutes in addressing the problem of youth radicalism.
Mr Svanidze has emphasized the role of the press. "Media are double-edged weapons and tools of the civil society. They can work both in favour and against the society. However, the mass media shall remain free but responsible," he said.
The initiator of the hearings - Archbishop of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz Theophan - noted in his presentation that young people, by themselves, never give rise to any radical ideas. They are just conducting the ideas that dominate the society.
The Archbishop has moved an idea of running a summer camp for Islamic and Orthodox youth as one of the ways to promote religious tolerance.
Author: Luiza Orazayeva, CK correspondent
