Opening remarks of Investing in Youth to Counter…

At a time when lives are intertwined with digital connectivity and the globalization of ideas, young people are reaching out to change the world, and follow those they think can change it. The most poisonous ideas now flow across borders at the touch of a button and at the tap of a tweet. Unscrupulous recruiters can lure unwary teenagers half a world away to attack at their own neighbours, through the use of new communication tools. Terrorist outfits are exploiting social, economic and political injustices to lure young people to their ranks through false propaganda and the glorification of distorted ideologies. Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-­‐Secretary-­‐General for Counter-­‐Terrorism (Chair) Keynote Speaker: H.E. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-­‐General H.E. Mr. Tore Hattrem, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations H.E. Ms. Maleeha Lodhi, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, United Nations Secretary-­‐General's Envoy on Youth Organized by the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)