The European Parliament Tuesday adopted a new report on intercultural dialogue, which was authored by lawmaker Julie Ward, a UK member of the Socialists and Democrats who said:
"These acts were perpetrated by a small minority of people, in many ways damaged people. The terrorist attacks were not the result of multiculturalism at all, but of exclusion."
Recent events in Europe — including the Paris attacks on November 13, the Tunisia killings and the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January have focused attention on radicalization and brought the issues of marginalization and extremism to the forefront of public debate.
"We're all human beings with common aspirations & concerns," @julie4nw on #multiculturalism https://t.co/HrcTUGNE9n https://t.co/atlPAPnMvv
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) December 8, 2015
The Parliament's culture committee — on which Ward sits — adopted the report on the role of intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and education in promoting EU fundamental values.
"Although the topic and goals of this report reflect an anxiety resulting from the violent and dramatic events that Europe has faced in the past months and years, and translate a collective will to prevent radicalization and extremism, it adopts a broader approach that encourages new reflections on the nature and the processes of political violence, starting from the premise that radicalization is a dynamic, relational process and an unforeseen and unpredictable consequence of a series of disruptive events," the report states.
'Marginalized Communities'
Many of those involved in the Paris attacks came from a socially deprived area of Brussels — Molenbeek — the district that is the source of the highest concentration in Europe of jihadi foreign fighters going to fight in Syria and Iraq.
My report on #intercultural dialogue & #education for fundamental values makes it onto the front page @Europarl_EN https://t.co/KreyWlj0ih
— Julie Ward MEP (@julie4nw) December 9, 2015
In her report, Ward argues that the "root of violent extremism can sometimes be found in the cultural, social and economic exclusion of people from their societies.
"The divisive and derogatory language sometimes used about marginalized communities and minorities, as well as the discrimination that many people experience — especially young people — can cause alienation which may lead to segregation of certain groups in society. Focusing on young people and minorities in the sole context of radicalization might also lead to increasing stigmatization," the report says.
Speaking ahead of the adoption of the report, Ward said: "I represent the northwest of England including Manchester which is an extremely cohesive, inclusive society where people from many ethnic backgrounds work together on joint projects on a whole variety of issues.
"What I actually see is a really positive way of people from different backgrounds coming together and building one of the most successful, dynamic cities in the world," she told European Parliament News.
