Youth de-radicalization is urgent to be done in the current developments context. The de-radicalization is mainly directed to restrain fundamentalism so that it does not develop into political violence and terrorism. It includes the protection of young people from the influence of fundamentalism, radicalism, and terrorism.
Therefore, at least two choices of political ethics are emphasized, namely social ethics by stressing the importance of the social dimension of religious practice and accepting the differences of political views as well as to provide opportunities for different groups to articulate their views in the practice of democratic politics. "Well, here the democratic openness is the ideal home for the development of the political ethics," said UGM sociologist, Drs. Lambang Trijono, M.A., Friday (20/5).
Lambang explains radicalization, indeed, threatens the young people. He pointed out many youths become victims and perpetrators of violence at the same time as in the case of NII and disclosure of terrorism cases which involved many young people. This happens due to lack of subject formation of democratic citizenship among young people in the midst of religious political fundamentalism. "Since the beginning of democratization, this group continues to haunt the politics of democracy, and now it’s threatening the regeneration of democracy by involving young people in the political fundamentalism movement," Lambang added.
In line with Lambang, other UGM sociologist, Arie Sujito, M.Si., added that young people are targeted because they are going through the process and the phase of searching for new idea or stream with a tendency to be indoctrinated with militancy attitude. When rationality and critical consciousness do not work in the minds of young people, the doctrine that negates the reality becomes very easily implanted.
Arie said to overcome the rampant indoctrination of college students, it is not enough to simply pursue or arrest the brain washer. In the short term, the pressure (stress) experienced by young people as ‘victims’ of extreme religious beliefs need to be identified and restored psychologically. "In the long term there is the need to foster and develop critical and rational learning spaces on campus and the community to spread the spirit of solidarity in community," said Arie.
In relation with the complexity of youth issues, Youth Studies Centre of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Saturday (21/5), will hold a National Seminar on ‘The paradox of Indonesian Youth: Problems, Potential, and Action Agenda’ with keynote speaker the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Andi Mallarangeng. "This seminar will also be carried out together with the inauguration of the Youth Studies Center," coordinator M. Najib Azca, M.A., Ph.D. said.
The Center led by lecturers and researchers of UGM Department of Sociology comprises several divisions, namely research and publications, advocacy, development of youth networks as well as training and seminars.