“Jugendsession” – A Win-Win-Situation for youth and researchers
CSS Researcher Fabien Merz participated in the “Jugendsession 2018” as an expert on counter-terrorism in Switzerland. Not only was he able to pass on his knowledge to the young participants, but also take with him many new and thought-provoking ideas.
The “Jugendsession 2018” took place from 08 to 11 November 2018 in Bern. Two hundred young people between the age of 14 and 21 discussed a range of topics, including responsible corporate governance, LGBT+ youth and Swiss-EU relations. Each group formulated a petition, which they presented to the National Council Chamber. The goal of the event was to foster political engagement among young people, by giving them a better understanding of the political process as well as an opportunity to show established parliamentarians what they want to change.
One group discussed counter terrorism in Switzerland and spoke to experts and parliamentarians about the subject. The petition put forward by the group following the discussions suggested the establishment of a national division for countering cyber terrorism.
One of the participating experts in this group was Fabien Merz, a researcher at the CSS who focuses on the prevention of violent extremism. He answered questions about the current situation in Switzerland, measures already taken and potential ways to enhance security in the country. The impartiality and new perspectives brought to the discussion by the youth participants surprised Fabien Merz. As a result, it was not only the young people who benefited from Fabien Merz’s knowledge, he also took away many new inputs and thought-provoking ideas on the subject which he plans to incorporate into his Research.