Video. Global trends and patterns of violent extremism: Finding new responses

Abstract

Last years have seen an unprecedented level of violent extremist (VE) activity in the world. Violent attacks increased by 80 per cent in 2014 to its highest recorded level and the number of people who have died from extremist attacks has increased nine-fold since the year 2.000. Even if the activity of VE groups is highly concentrated, five countries (Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria) accounted the 78% of deaths, however a vast majority of countries did experience during last years violent incidents of some kind where private citizens were increasingly the target of attacks. These global trends, are causing an arc of upheaval and distress. Violent extremism is having a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of populations across the globe, particularly the most vulnerable, including youth, women and children.

The growth of VE – and the devastating impact of groups espousing violent ideologies? is not only setting in motion a dramatic reversal of development gains already made, but also threatening to stunt prospects of development for decades to come. In front of this challenge, our governments have started a “War on Terror” trying to combat violent extremism. The cost of the global national security expenditure in charge of preventing “Terrorist activity” has been approximately US$117 billion.

However the cost of these policies is not only affecting national budgets, main costs are related to the immense costs in terms of Human Rights limitations and human life lost in battles and wars.

In front of this challenge, it is mandatory for the academicians, practitioners, international agencies, NGOs and authorities to further understand and analyze the correlates and drivers of this global challenge and find proper responses to counter it. Are we following the right path? It is the “war on terror” the sole response? There are others?

With this questions in mind, the UOC’s and UNITAR are organizing a 60? webinar to open a space of discussion devoted to further understand the violent extremist phenomena and present new responses to counter it. The webinar wants to offer a privileged space of participation devoted to present a new approach based in a peace building strategies, coherent with Universal Human Rights, that focus on the CSOs responsibility for building resilient societies and communities.