Derek Brown

Comm 3342
Dr. Gooch, Dr. Bell
27 June 2017

Social Cohesion and Fluidity Among the Youth

Introduction

Maintaining peace and prosperity has long been a testament to the values and practices of the EU for over
the last 70 years. European societies are largely noted for being culturally diverse, consisting of many
different ethnicities and backgrounds that in turn, coexist with one another. However, with that comes
many trials and tribulations. The three main struggles the EU faces currently is rising inequality mixed
with increased poverty, youth unemployment, and violent extremism. Cooperation between the different
parties is being tested more than ever and it is the responsibility of the EU to prevent these problems from
recurring. Education systems have been the foundation for the connectedness of Europe and are
responsible for the integration of many different cultures into society; their role has become more
important than ever. Instilling the youth with values of tolerance, non discrimination and acceptance
through formal and non-formal learning will bring about social cohesion and fluidity within the EU for
years to come and can prevent some of the underlying problems that is strpping the EU of its peace of
mind.

Rationalizing the Problems

Currently, EU social and employment policies are aiming to tackle imbalances and poverty within labor
markets, especially among the youth population. One of their strategies in doing this is through social
inclusion of disadvantaged groups and the advancement of their education systems. Funding will be used
towards highly effective training programs and social support schemes [25.6 billion EUR] along with
schools addressing the issues dealing with kids leaving school early or dropping out (European
Commission, 12). In fact, around 11.1% of young europeans leave school before graduating, putting
themselves at an immediate disadvantage that is even harder to overcome at later stages in their lives.
Programs will aim directly at helping “young people increase their democratic resilience, become media
literate and think critically, on how to teach young people to resolve conflicts and respect the views of
others and on how to spot and react to early signs of radicalisation” (European Commission, 13).
Although independent member states are solely responsible for their own education, EU policy is helping
promote national action in instilling its core common values of tolerance, justice and solidarity. Allowing
the youth to become more culturally competent, involved and engaged, they will be more able to avoid
being marginalized as failing citizens. Citizens who succumb to marginalization often are at a greater risk
to being exposed to violence and extremist ideologies.

Second, it is necessary that the EU updates and maintains a quality education system that also strives to
weed out social exclusion. There is great correlation between socioeconomic status and achievement in
school. Students with lower status are overrepresented in having minimal achievements in school. This
not only points to a risk in the education system but also points that quality education needs to be offered
in remote areas as well. High quality education offers the tools to for young people to have the
“knowledge, attitudes, skills, and mind-sets they need to help them to seize the new opportunities.
Specifically, institutions struggle with providing digital and entrepreneurial skills, along with social
competency. We are now entering a digital era, and the schools in remote areas are failing to keep up with
the modernization of society. As a result, children are being taught an education that is outdated and is no
longer useful in today’s society. Funding needs to be distributed more towards equipping teachers with
the skills needed to teach young students these necessary skills; This entails developing a more
modernized education system as well as teachers being able to cater to students of different backgrounds,
expectations and needs.

Third, the EU prides itself in being a society that is tolerant, pluralistic, and non discriminatory to the
greater society. Combating social exclusion and bringing about social justice is imperative in reducing the
threats of violent extremism. With the many terrorists attacks that have arisen in Europe just within the
last 5 years, many groups and members of certain ethnicities and backgrounds are being marginalized,
especially of the Islamic faith. With that said however, ideological and religious factors are a driving
force of radicalization. Terrorist groups are now utilizing propaganda and media outlets to target like
minded individuals thus “accelerating the radicalization process” (European Commission, 5). The youth
are at risk to being introduced to this kind of methodology as they may encounter such content online, and
it is becoming increasingly visible; as a result funding has been allocated to supporting media literacy.
Children who are exposed to this kind of content are more likely to succumb to it. This ties back to the
belief that social fluidity is vital for the Eu to coexist as a whole. There has been active participation from
independent member states, for example, “UK Safer Internet Centre has produced guidance on how to
protect children from online extremism. In Austria, the Safer Internet Centre is working on a strategy to
handle online radicalisation, collaborating with specialist organisations. And the Swedish Safer Internet
Centre has developed educational material aimed at strengthening teenagers' abilities to see through
propaganda” (European Commission, 7).

Conclusion

In summary, it is essential the EU develop the youth mindset to become aware and adaptive to the modern
environment. With the acculturation of many different kinds of people comes differences in values,
beliefs and customs. We must invest in the youth because they are ultimately the future leaders of this
world. If we fail to do this, we will have to succumb to a darker future and will face the consequences
later down the road.

Works cited
European Commission. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS. Brussels: n.p., 2016. Print.