Violence can destroy the world, delegates told
In this write- up by Ravindran Raman Kutty, an award-winning communications practitioner and a fellow of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia, he discusses the reasons why some people are driven to committing acts of violent extremism. KUALA LUMPUR: As the advisor to the World Youth Foundation, I was recently invited to chair and moderate an international conference on Youth, Peace and Violent Extremism that was held from July 30 to Aug 3 in Melaka.
A total of 120 delegates from 24 countries participated in the conference to understand the issues circulating about violent extremism and peace. Apparently, youths are behind 95 per cent of the cases involving extreme violence. Why do youths fall prey to purveyors of extremism? Why violence when peace is a better option? What are the root causes of violence? How are terrorists recruited?
We were fortunate to have excellent presenters from the Royal Malaysian Police, United Nations University, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO), IACSP Centre for Security Studies Southeast Asia Region, Commonwealth Secretariat and Loyola University Chicago.
The presenters and discussants spoke on the acts of violent extremism that have been escalating since the terror attacks that took place in the United States on Sept 11, 2001 (also referred to as 9/11).
Our airports, places of worship, shopping malls, concert halls and public spaces are more vulnerable now than ever before in the history of civilisation.
The most commonly known reasons why the perpetrators carry out such acts are ideological and socio- economic in nature, or as part of a struggle for independence.
However, studies have revealed an interesting point, that is, such acts are committed by those who come from wealthy and comfortably well- off, middleclass families.
In trying to understand what violence actually means, externally it appears as an aggressive act carried out by individuals onto others either individually or in large groups.
However, upon deeper observation, the actions we carry out externally are really a manifestation of our own internal state. We hug when we feel loved, we cringe when we feel disgusted, and we withdraw or retaliate when in fear.
The same occurs aggression.
Just the way tsunamis are destructive effects of earthquakes occurring deep in the ocean, so too are our aggressive behaviours – a reflection of an internal state that is strained, tensed and defensive.
This is something we can see in ourselves clearly if we look within with honesty.
Hence, we must decide whether to punish and segregate those who display symptoms of aggression, or unite in solidarity and help them lift the obscured veil to see the beautiful richness in themselves.
Violence is instilled in youths during their childhood days. with
Through their tender photographic minds, they mimic the way we speak, behave, socialise and move.
They absorb every form of language spoken and action displayed to and around them.
Their subconscious is built based on the environment they inhabit in.
Violence, emotional neglect, repression, abuse and harsh language are some of the contributing factors that feed into their senses which are then processed by the brain, stored in the subconscious and contribute deeply towards formulating reflexes and the way they perceive the world they live in.
When experiencing a difficult childhood or living in a violent environment, children potentially begin to adopt violence as an acceptable way of life to move forward, assert authority and gain power.
This is the potential energy they live with for many years. The development of the human brain is most susceptible in the first few years of life, forming the bedrock of later life reflexes.
A need for power which stems from greed and fury is also a cause of violent extremism. This was evident in 9/11 and many other terror attacks where dominance and superiority figured strongly. Power, greed and fury are traits in all human beings, but they vary in degree in each of us.
These traits were necessary back when humans lived in tribes as they contributed immensely to the survival of the fittest.
Our way of living has evolved immensely since then. We no longer need to reinforce our territories so rigidly, yet our biological brain retains these traits.
A sense of belonging is an intrinsic part of human nature. We all have it, we want to belong and unite, to love and be loved.
When we feel discriminated, we begin to move closer towards those who accept us.
Studies show that most new recruits of violent extremism are between 17 and 27 years old.
Radical groups, often times, exploit the tendency in young men and women who are looking for a sense of purpose and belonging.
They take advantage of those young people amidst their lack of hope or feelings of economic or cultural marginalisation.
We can argue that violence is caused or stirred by someone else due to political or economic needs.
I think it is imperative that every child who was born yesterday or is born today be taught that peace pays, not violence. If we go on living with the thought, ‘an eye for an eye’ or ‘ tit for tat’, the whole world will be blind.
We must start at the grassroots and harness the positive energy of young people by giving them the tools they need to combat oppressive extremist narratives, xenophobia and hate speech.
Economic regression and religious suppression must be stopped in order to bring peace and unity around this world.
Man has conquered the deepest of oceans, the highest of mountains and the most dangerous of beasts, yet he has failed to contain his own violence. Violence will burn civilisations.
Violence will kill the innocent and will maim many if it is not addressed seriously by all nations around the world. — Bernama