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| My Belgian city has shown we are not defenceless against terror | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| There is no single easy way to prevent jihadist terrorism. But we are not defenseless. | There is no single easy way to prevent jihadist terrorism. But we are not defenseless. |
| Important as they are, security-focused measures are not enough. They will not stop lone wolves who decide to throw away their lives whilst slaughtering innocent people. For real success, we must prevent individuals being radicalised in the first place. That is far less difficult than to try to de-radicalise someone. | Important as they are, security-focused measures are not enough. They will not stop lone wolves who decide to throw away their lives whilst slaughtering innocent people. For real success, we must prevent individuals being radicalised in the first place. That is far less difficult than to try to de-radicalise someone. |
| I believe any successful strategy needs to centre on creating an inclusive society, where all citizens identify with the society they live in. | I believe any successful strategy needs to centre on creating an inclusive society, where all citizens identify with the society they live in. |
| The approach we have taken in Mechelen since I was elected mayor in 2001, has included a number of key steps. | The approach we have taken in Mechelen since I was elected mayor in 2001, has included a number of key steps. |
| Where criminals rule the streets, extremists will follow, so fighting crime and creating safe, clean neighbourhoods is a priority. | Where criminals rule the streets, extremists will follow, so fighting crime and creating safe, clean neighbourhoods is a priority. |
| A city cannot be reduced to a sum of ethnic or cultural communities. A city is first and foremost a place of individuals: unique people with not one but several different identities. Where there is a growing middle class of people with a migrant background, these are role models that help social mobility, motivate new generations and destroy prejudices. | A city cannot be reduced to a sum of ethnic or cultural communities. A city is first and foremost a place of individuals: unique people with not one but several different identities. Where there is a growing middle class of people with a migrant background, these are role models that help social mobility, motivate new generations and destroy prejudices. |
| The most important policy to pursue is undoubtedly counter segregation. Cities are too often archipelagos of monocultural islands, where many people end up locked in what often are caricatures of one identity, and for whom other citizens are mere strangers. Mixed schools and sportsclubs, and mixed neighbourhoods strengthen the possibilities of building a common identity. | The most important policy to pursue is undoubtedly counter segregation. Cities are too often archipelagos of monocultural islands, where many people end up locked in what often are caricatures of one identity, and for whom other citizens are mere strangers. Mixed schools and sportsclubs, and mixed neighbourhoods strengthen the possibilities of building a common identity. |
| It’s also important to accept – and it’s something that does require courage – that in a time of globalisation and migration all of us have to make an effort to integrate, to make superdiverse cities a success. A diverse city can be attractive for everybody if it can offer everyone the promise that if they work hard, use their talents and do their best then they can make a better future for themselves and their family. It is not someone’s background that is important, but their future. Racism and discrimination are a threat to that promise, because they undermine talent and block people at the bottom of the social ladder, destroying the attractiveness of our civilisation. | It’s also important to accept – and it’s something that does require courage – that in a time of globalisation and migration all of us have to make an effort to integrate, to make superdiverse cities a success. A diverse city can be attractive for everybody if it can offer everyone the promise that if they work hard, use their talents and do their best then they can make a better future for themselves and their family. It is not someone’s background that is important, but their future. Racism and discrimination are a threat to that promise, because they undermine talent and block people at the bottom of the social ladder, destroying the attractiveness of our civilisation. |
| Cities must also invest in a counter-narrative, supporting those who believe in a rational Islam; those who see no fundamental conflict between human rights, democracy, the rule of law and a muslim identity; and those who want to counter the manner in which barbaric extremists abuse their religious identity. | Cities must also invest in a counter-narrative, supporting those who believe in a rational Islam; those who see no fundamental conflict between human rights, democracy, the rule of law and a muslim identity; and those who want to counter the manner in which barbaric extremists abuse their religious identity. |
| It’s also vital to build structures to support dialogue and a climate of trust between social, prevention, youth and neighbourhood workers, school boards, teachers and police. City leaders need to create a clear code that respects the specific place and responsibilities of everybody in society and organise channels of communication through which necessary information is given to the security and police forces. They should monitor people with radical ideas, as well as vulnerable people who are not easy to reach, and try to include them, building bridges to society for them. | It’s also vital to build structures to support dialogue and a climate of trust between social, prevention, youth and neighbourhood workers, school boards, teachers and police. City leaders need to create a clear code that respects the specific place and responsibilities of everybody in society and organise channels of communication through which necessary information is given to the security and police forces. They should monitor people with radical ideas, as well as vulnerable people who are not easy to reach, and try to include them, building bridges to society for them. |
| My experience shows that a robust programme that implements such a policy can create one community, while remaining superdiverse. I believe this is the most efficient barrier to the recruitment of terrorists. It requires conviction, endurance and a lot of courage, but it is possible and necessary. We are in a fight for the hearts and souls of our citizens and it is in cities that we can win this fight. | My experience shows that a robust programme that implements such a policy can create one community, while remaining superdiverse. I believe this is the most efficient barrier to the recruitment of terrorists. It requires conviction, endurance and a lot of courage, but it is possible and necessary. We are in a fight for the hearts and souls of our citizens and it is in cities that we can win this fight. |
| Bart Somers is mayor of Mechelen and was voted World Mayor 2016. He is author of the European Committee of the Regions report on Combating radicalisation and violent extremism – prevention mechanisms at local and regional level. | Bart Somers is mayor of Mechelen and was voted World Mayor 2016. He is author of the European Committee of the Regions report on Combating radicalisation and violent extremism – prevention mechanisms at local and regional level. |
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