11

Young people are called to be the political players of tomorrow, and their involvement is crucially important for the future of our democracies. The articles presented in this number approach this question with particular attention to youth who come from an immigrant background and young women who may be the subjects of discrimination. Most of the contributions arise from the international research project known as PIDOP (Processes Indicating Democratic Ownership and Participation) financed by the European Union and carried out in the setting of nine different nations. PIDOP research has shown up a number of constant findings which political leaders will do well to take into account. Broadly speaking, these young people find that they are not taken seriously by politicians or by adults in general. This lack of response to them lessens their belief in their own capability to have an influence in politics. Young women in particular see themselves as victims of prejudice, hampered in their attempts to join in civic and political life. However, in all these countries and in every group, the youth show a marked interest in the questions that are raised at a local (rather than a national) level, and can put a lot of effort into civic (rather than political) activity. The light shed on this by the articles as a whole is completed by the additional information given by two articles relating to violent radicalisation.