Working Group on Addressing Radicalization and Extremism that Lead to Terrorism
Mandate: United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy:
Section I, paragraph 6: “To pursue and reinforce development and social inclusion agendas at every level as goals in themselves, recognizing that success in this area, especially on youth unemployment, could reduce marginalization and the subsequent sense of victimization that propels extremism and the recruitment of terrorists.”
Status: The Working Group aims to identify how States assess the problem of radicalization, what they have done to address it and what further action they plan to take. It hopes to offer Member States a summary of ways that countries are going about preventing acts of terrorism and enhancing national and regional capacity to de-radicalize those who support terrorist groups.
As part of a mapping of current Member State policies and actions in this area, the Working Group sent a letter to all Member State permanent missions in February 2008 seeking information on relevant activities and initiatives. The Working Group also held an initial workshop, at UNICRI headquarters in Turin, Italy, in April 2008 to discuss the phenomenon of radicalization and extremism that lead to terrorism and policies and action plans to address it. Representatives from Member States, academia, intergovernmental organizations and expert practitioners from civil society took part.
In the coming months, the Working Group will continue to gather and analyze information provided by Member States on their programs and policies to address radicalization and extremism that lead to terrorism and will also look at Member State initiatives to promote the de-radicalization and rehabilitation of supporters of terrorist groups. The Working Group plans to report on its findings before the end of 2008.
The Working Group sees great importance in consulting the widest possible range of Member States in preparation of its report and intends to identify further opportunities to collect their views and invite their comment.
CTITF Entities:
- Executive Office of The Secretary-General (EOSG) (lead)
- United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) (lead)
- 1267 Monitoring Team (lead)
- Counter-terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
- Department of Political Affairs (DPA)
- Department of Public Information (DPI)
- International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Additional Partners:
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