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Behavioural Insights to Counter-Terrorism

Behavioural Insights for Counter-Terrorism

Drawing from psychology, economics, and social science, behavioral insights delves into the intricacies of human decision-making by understanding the true drivers of behavior. This approach breaks away from traditional assumptions, ensuring policies and programs are tailored to real needs for maximum impact. Countering terrorism and radicalization demands evidence-based research on individual, contextual, and structural factors influencing human actions and responses.

There is no single catalyst for violent extremism, but recurring drivers can lead to radicalization. Many of these drivers are rooted in behavior and call for targeted interventions like education, youth empowerment, and community engagement. Leveraging behavioral insights enables policymakers and practitioners to identify risk factors and develop validated strategies to prevent and counter violent extremism effectively.

A behavioural insights approach enables the identification of risk and resilience factors and the development of empirically validated interventions for policymakers and practitioners to effectively prevent and counter violent extremism. 

 

BI Hub: Who we are

The goal of the UNOCT Behavioural Insights Hub in Doha is to harness the power of behavioural science to effectively prevent and counter terrorism. Grounded in the principles of the United Nations and guided by relevant UN documents, including the UN Secretary-General’s Guidance Note on Behavioural Science and the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda, the Hub aims to drive innovative and evidence-based approaches to address complex security challenges.

The BI Hub, a UNOCT Programme Office in Doha, was established by UNOCT in partnership with the State of Qatar, in 2020. The BI Hub acts as a global platform for creating knowledge around behavioural insights to prevent and counter terrorism, disseminating lessons learned and good practices, and creating a professional network of experts, academics, practitioners, and policymakers. 

The Hub provides capacity-building support that meets the needs and priorities of Member States to address evolving terrorist threats. The Hub also provides outreach opportunities, in order to strengthen coordination among various counter-terrorism actors on behaviourally informed interventions. This serves to further mobilise resources, seek synergies for joint programming and strengthen the effective implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

As the lead unit of UNOCT working on the application of behavioural insights to counter-terrorism, the BI Hub plays an important role in carrying forward the integration of research and analysis of individual, contextual and structural factors affecting human motivations, actions, interactions, and responses that give us a better understanding of the threats of terrorism and violent extremism. 

 

Achievements

 

The UNOCT BI Hub is the first UN entity fully dedicated to operationalizing behavioral science in security. Its contributions are crucial in advancing UNOCT's mandate to prevent and counter terrorism. Through capacity-building initiatives, workshops, and consultations with experts and stakeholders, the BI Hub promotes the use of behavioral insights in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. It actively engages with the international community, participating in conferences and events, and contributing to important discussions on the role of behavioral science in addressing global security challenges.

The BI Hub's achievements have been significant, in driving the application of behavioral science to enhance Counter-Terrorism efforts together with other UNOCT programmes and projects,

UN & Behavioral Science

Our Common Agenda is the Secretary-General's vision for effective multilateralism leading up to the 2024 Summit of the Future.

UN 2.0: Revitalizing the UN System for Stronger SDG Impact – the breif outlines UN vision for a modernized system, equipped with the latest skills and a forward-thinking culture. It leverages data, innovation, digital technology, foresight, and behavioral science to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. [Full Policy Brief]

The United Nations Behavioural Science Report explores how behavioural science can be used to advance sustainable development goals and create positive social change.

The Practitioner's Guide to Getting Started with Behavioural Science developed by UN practitioners, for UN practitioners, dives deeper into the applications of behavioural science to the UN  System

The UN Behavioural Science Group promotes the use of behavioural science in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. With 800+ members from 40+ UN Entities and 60 countries, the group raises awareness, provides learning opportunities, and collaborates with experts and organizations to design effective interventions.

Partners

  • UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, including UNICRI, UNITAR, IOM, CTED, UNDP, UNAMA and UNRCCA.
  • Regional and international organizations, such as OSCE, EU. 
  • Other partners, including think tanks, academia, subject matter experts, the media, private sector actors and civil society.

Donor

Thanks to the generous contribution of the State of Qatar, the UNOCT BI Hub aims to develop and implement effective strategies and programs worldwide.

Publications

Guidance Note. Developing a Behavioural Insights Approach to Fostering Resilience in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) 

Workbook Mindfulness-Based Initiative (MBI) for Building Resilience Against Radicalization” 

Contact us

Click here  to access the "Contact Us" questionnaire. We appreciate your participation and thank you for your valuable input. 

Flagship Projects

BI Academy. The new BI Hub’s flagship academy programme is the first of its kind to feature capacity-building in behavioural insights tailored for the international community of practice in preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE)

The UNOCT BI Hub's Podcast features experts from around the world to discuss effective solutions and drive positive change

The Connect & Learn Platform aims to build bridges, facilitate partnerships, and empower individuals and organizations in their efforts to drive positive change in countering violent extremism

2023

Main Events and Activities
19 June Launch of the Behavioural Insights Academy during the CT Week, New York - Video
14 June A joint presentation at “Behavioural Science Week”  The Neuroscience of Peace and Conflict (UNDPPA & UNOCT)
8-13 May Inauguration of the Academy on Behavioural Insight to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism  
15 March  Countering Islamophobia: Non-State Actors Unite to Combat Hate Crimes
8 March Side Event At the LDC5 Conference: Fostering resiliency and human rights through a behavioural insights approach

2022

  
12-14 Dec  Behavioural Insights Academy Curriculum Development Workshop 
1 Dec  Launch of the first BI for countering terrorism podcast “Going to Extremes.” The purpose and identified need for a BI-focused Podcast was to provide practitioners with the latest knowledge in a non-technical format 
2 Nov Interactive briefing to Member States on the progress made by the International Hub on Behavioural Insights to Counter Terrorism since its establishment and way forward
3-4 Oct Regional Workshop on the “Application of Behavioural Insights (BI) in P/CVE programming and in implementation of national P/CVE strategies and action plans in building resilience for MENA countries” 
9 June Panel discussion during High-Level Forum at “The role of Central Asian States' Women Parliamentarians in the implementation of PCVE National Action Plans" on the various ways in which the effectiveness of P/CVE initiatives is inhibited when the role that gender inequality plays in violent extremism is not recognized 
7 June A joint presentation at “Behavioural Science Week” on “How Behavioural Science Can Advance Peace and Security” 
23-24 May Workshop “Brainstorming & Training session for Central Asian region on “Applying of Behavioural Insights to CT/PVE programming in building resilience in the context of current political and security landscape.”
28 Feb European Workshop on “Using Behavioural Insights to Address the Intersection of the Internet, Mental Health, and Radicalization to Violent Extremism in Europe” 

2021

  
12 Oct The first in-house consultation with UNOCT staff, attended by Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and H.E. Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, PR of Qatar to UN
20 Sep BI Hub’s Workshop for African Diplomatic Missions on "Behavioural Insights to Counter and Prevent Terrorism in the African context."
30 June Side Event on "Behavioural Science for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding,” as part of UN BeSci Week 2021- delivered jointly with the Innovation Cell, Policy and Mediation Division, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs delivered 
14 June Delivery of presentation on "Supporting the management of Violent Extremist prisoners and the prevention of radicalization to Violence in Prisons.”  
1 April

Delivery of a presentation on “Behavioral insights for the prevention of violent extremism” for the regional workshop on establishing "The Center for Research and Studies on Violent Extremism: Perspectives and Comparative Experiences."

2020

  
7 Dec  Launch of International Hub on Behavioural Insights to Counter Terrorism