Created 07/13/2023
Type: Case Studies, How-to, Strategy
Region: Global
Location: Global
Language: English
Theme: Violent Extremism
Organization: Search for Common Ground
- The guide outlines 5 core values that should guide efforts to transform violent extremism: impartiality, respect for all people, belief in shared humanity, inclusivity, and a belief that transformation is always possible.
- It discusses various frameworks for understanding the drivers of violent extremism, including push and pull factors, the resilience-vulnerability spectrum, context vs stage theories, risk factors, and models of radicalization and recruitment. Key drivers include grievances, identity issues, inadequate governance, and emotional factors.
- On prevention, the guide suggests understanding root causes and conflict dynamics, engaging youth as partners, addressing human needs for dignity and agency, and seeing religion as part of the solution. Risks include losing impartiality and empowering extremists.
- On state responses, it recommends understanding state and non-state actors’ needs, building trust gradually, coordinating across agencies, and handling publicity carefully. Risks include endangering stakeholders and ignoring root causes.
- On narratives, it suggests amplifying voices that highlight emotion and connection, focusing on narrative construction, choosing credible messengers, and engaging media. Risks include being perceived as opposing certain views.
- On youth, it recommends engaging them as partners, facilitating relationships across divides, recognizing their need for respect and agency, avoiding quick fixes, and accepting diverse viewpoints.
- Monitoring should focus on knowledge, attitudes, skills, and relationships using qualitative methods to capture unintended outcomes.
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