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Quebec to hold world conference on radicalization

Quebec is set to hold an international conference starting Sunday night dedicated to preventing and combating the radicalization of young people.

Both the provincial government and UNESCO are hosting the three-day event in Quebec City, called "Internet and the radicalization of youth: Preventing, Acting and Living Together."

The conference will bring together 450 participants from 70 countries.

A range of experts from the private and public sectors, academics and women's organizations are set to speak and participate in roundtables aimed at curbing radicalization among youth.

"Violent extremism is not associated with any particular religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group," the conference website says.

"Quite the contrary, due to its global dimension, the phenomenon of radicalization leading to violence poses threats to the security and fundamental rights of the citizens of all our societies."

Workshops and presentations will focus on the best practices to prevent radicalization and find solutions to counter acts of ideological violence.

One plenary will be entirely devoted to families affected by radicalization and individuals who can share first-hand experience of their time within violent or extremist groups.

Participants are also tasked with building different online narratives to curb indoctrination in the digital era.

Christine St-Pierre, the provincial minister for international relations, said that Quebec is seen as a leader in the fight against radicalization because of the government's 2015 plan to prevent, detect and take action against individuals either considering or on the verge of radicalization.

The conference runs from Oct. 30 until Nov. 2 in Quebec City.