Opening remarks by Antonia Marie De Meo, Director of UNICRI

Side-Event at the ECOSOC Youth Forum "Protecting Vulnerable Youths from Crime and Violence in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic"

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues,

On the 21st and 22nd April 2021, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the Office of the European Union (EU) Counter-Terrorism Coordinator will hold a virtual expert-level meeting to take stock of the recent evolution and potentially emerging trends of the threat posed by ISIL/Al-Qaida inspired terrorism in Europe in light of the spate of attacks throughout 2020 and against the backdrop of COVID-19.

More than 200 security officials across the Caribbean Region will gather for a virtual course on the malicious use of social media by violent non-state actors during COVID-19 on 8th April 2021. The spread of misinformation and disinformation is a threat faced by most CARICOM Member States and is high on the CARICOM agenda.

(Re)building post-pandemic societies: youth using sport to prevent and counter violent extremism

Background

Violent extremists across the ideological spectrum view the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity for expansion and young people are likely among the most at risk.

 10th Economic and Social Council Youth Forum 

A Decade of Action: Building a Resilient Recovery