The Role of Communication in Preventing the Risk of Radicalisation of Second- Generation Young People of the Muslim Religion. Results of a European Project Oltre

The paper presents the first results of the analysis on the application of the four phases (prevention, knowledge, incorporation, change) that compose the communication model of social problems and prevention (Volterrani, 2019) within the “Oltre” project (funded by DG Home of the European Union) whose aim is to prevent the radicalization of the second generation of migrants of Islamic origin in Italy. The application of the model has been preliminarily focused on the analysis of the phenomenon of radicalization (perception phase) through in-depth qualitative interviews and focus groups in seven Italian cities, together with an analysis of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles. Subsequently, through the Theater of the Oppressed methodology and specific laboratories on social communication, the contents of the prevention of radicalization (knowledge phase) have been deepened. Finally we started the third and the fourth phase of the model (incorporation and change), by the action research methodology and the direct involvement of the recipients of the analysis (second-generation young migrants of Islamic origin) in the communication campaign (Volterrani, 2018). The results confirm the validity of the communication model, especially for what the perception and knowledge phase is concerned. The last two stages need more time for an adequate evaluation of the impact on second-generation young people. References Volterrani A. (2018), Participation and Communication in the Time of Social Media: A Chimera or an Opportunity, Sociology Study, May 2018, Vol. 8, No. 5, 213‐219, doi: 10.17265/2159‐5526/2018.05.002 Volterrani A. (2019), A Model for Communicating Social Problems: Perception, Knowledge, Incorporation, and Change, Sociology Study, March 2019, Vol. 9, No. 3, 99-111 doi: 10.17265/2159-5526/2019.03.002