Building and Promoting Trust to Prevent and Counter Extremism
How do you counter violent extremism?
21 August 2015, New York, USA - Extreme violence cannot be prevented or defeated without addressing the root of the problem. Although there is not a single approach to prevent and counter this phenomenon, building a society on trust and the attributes that form trust, may provide a critical strategy for preventing and countering extremism.
In contrast, fault lines of distrust can erupt when individuals and communities are faced with increasing uncertainties of safety, support, and or isolation. In this space of distrust, extremist groups may exploit individuals through various specific ideologies and motivations that in turn stimulate recruitment into these criminal organizations. Further, the recruitment often involves the dehumanising and demonising of the other. In this regard, countering and preventing extremism involves promoting respect and inclusiveness in communities, societies and states in which there is security for everyday life and trust in the social order. Building this trust may include engagement, reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening justice, human rights and development.
Where will you be on 22 September 2015?
In September 2015, the UN Secretary-General will convene experts, academics and world leaders to discuss and to spearhead an action plan for addressing the rise of extreme violence. This Summit will take place close to the timing of the Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, now called the 2030 Development Agenda – Transforming our World.
On 22 September, UNITAR New York Office will be convening its own panel of experts: scholars, practitioners and diplomats, who will delve into the contribution of trust for inclusive societies and for preventing and countering extreme violence. Through presentations and discussion this side event will evaluate synergies such as trust, social cohesion and reducing and countering the causes of extremism, taking into account goals for sustainable development, especially Goal 16, which calls inter alia for peaceful and inclusive societies.
Come and join our side event
In collaboration with Yale University, Divinity School, this event forms part of the UNITAR New York Office programme on social cohesion and inclusive societies.
Taking place in Conference Room 9 of the UN Headquarters, join us at 1:15 p.m. for just under two hours and hear our experts present and share their insights into the notion of trust as a means of preventing and countering extremism.
For information and updates please email the UNITAR New York Office at nyo@unitar.org
