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Quebec hosts UNESCO conference on prevention of radicalization of young people

WATCH ABOVE: Young Montrealers take the microphone to speak about their experience with radicalization at a major UNESCO international conference in Quebec City – Oct 31, 2016

Quebec is hosting an important conference on the links between radicalization and the Internet.

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A UNESCO conference called “Youth and the Internet: Fighting Radicalization and Extremism” is taking place in Quebec City.

It started Sunday night and continues until Tuesday.

READ MORE: Religion not a factor in violent radicalization of women: report

Four-hundred-and-fifty people from 70 countries were present, including Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and four cabinet ministers.

“We have two days to discuss with many people, researchers, politicians. We have a mother, we have young people who’ve been radicalized and then de-radicalized,” said Quebec International Relations Minister Christine St-Pierre.

“So, we may be able to establish new ways, new actions in our action plan.”

The Couillard government tabled an action plan in 2015, which included doing more research on the issue of radical terrorism.

READ MORE: Many factors can contribute to youth radicalization: Quebec report 

The government said this conference was an opportunity to share expertise from around the world.

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“Google and [Internet] providers, they have a key knowledge and they are able to intervene,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil, on one of the takeaways from the conference.

“We are very, very interested in seeing how we can work with them, to ensure public security, essentially, and prevent these children and young people who are the first targets.”

The Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) opposition party argued the government is not tackling the issue head on.

READ MORE: Ralph Goodale: Canada must work to understand, combat radicalization

MNA Nathalie Roy said none of the ministers ever mentioned “radical Islam” or the words “Islamist terrorism.”

In addition to prevention, Roy insisted the government needs to be more informed about who’s funding terrorist organizations and how they operate.

She added more resources need to go towards treating and supporting radicalized youth who return to Canada.

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