New Project Release: Mafia-Jihad: An Intersectional Study on Youth Trajectories and Innovative Models for Security Policies Aimed at Preventing Radicalization and Terrorism

Next Wave is proud to announce the launch of a new project this month: Mafia-Jihad: An Intersectional Study on Youth Trajectories and Innovative Models for Security Policies Aimed at Preventing Radicalization and Terrorism.

“Similar to how criminal behaviors are transmitted across generations within mafia families, extremist actors utilize familial relationships to disseminate violent ideologies. A child raised in an ideologically driven environment is unlikely to develop an identity that diverges from that of the family, particularly when extremist beliefs originate within the family nucleus, rendering the child's identity formation largely predetermined and constrained by limited personal agency,” said Cecilia Polizzi, Lead Investigator of Mafia-Jihad.

The aim of this project is to examine the parallels and divergences in family influences and identify strategies successfully implemented in protecting children raised in environments shaped by mafia ideology that can be adapted to prevent and address youth radicalization to violent extremism. Mafia-Jihad will offer actionable recommendations to inform the development of effective policy frameworks and strategies to address youth radicalization.

The outputs will include a bilingual volume presenting the research findings, along with webinars and online events designed to share knowledge and engage stakeholders across various sectors.

This project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and will be carried out in partnership with The Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights.