Youth violence campaigner Jacob Dunne has highlighted a sobering truth: many young men caught up in extremism aren't driven by ideology alone—they're searching for a sense of belonging and community.

Speaking out against calls for a harder line on volatile behaviour, Dunne emphasised that addressing the root causes of youth radicalisation requires understanding what these young people are genuinely seeking. Rather than punishment-focused responses, he's advocating for interventions that offer the connection, purpose and acceptance that extremist groups exploit. It's a reminder that behind statistics about radicalisation are individuals hungry for the kind of community bonds that healthy society should provide. Read the full story →

Today's takeaway: When we treat extremism as purely a security problem rather than a human one, we miss our best chance to reach young people before they're lost.