New York – The UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), Mr Nassir Al-Nasser, on Tuesday in Baku, Azerbaijan, stressed the need to counter narratives of hatred and mistrust in order to prevent violent extremism.
Al-Nasser made the call at the plenary session of the ongoing UNOAC 7th Global Forum on Violent Extremism and Conflicts.
“The Alliance is the soft power tool established to contribute to a more peaceful world by countering radicalisation and polarisation, by encouraging greater intercultural understanding and engaging in projects and programmes that advance these goals.
“This year’s theme: Living together in inclusive societies: a challenge and a goal, converged with the four pillars of the UN peace and security, human rights, rule of law, and development.
“More directly, it converges with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Specifically, Sustainable Development Goal 16, which calls for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development”, he said.
The UN official said experience had proved that heavy-handed approaches and a single-minded focus only on security measures have failed to eradicate violent extremism and its attendant problems.
Al-Nasser disclosed that the global forum is being attended by more than 2,500 participants, including representatives of governments.
Others are UN officials, civil society representatives, religious leaders, youth leaders, and the media all expected to share their perspectives and proffer solutions.
He said that rising disparities of wealth and opportunities within societies lead to marginalisation and exclusion, gender inequality, and unemployment which fuel radicalisation and push people towards violent extremism.
“We know that extremism and terrorism flourish when human rights are violated and aspirations for inclusion ignored. We must pay particular attention to addressing the causes of violent extremism”, Al-Nasser said.
He said that too many people, especially young people, join terrorist groups because they lacked prospects and meaning in their lives.
He emphasised the need to make a special effort to reach out to young people and recognize their potential as partners and leaders.
According to him, “violent extremism is an affront to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.”
The reports said that UNAOC was established to address global challenges in the context of cultural and religious diversity, including violent extremism.
The body participated in drawing the UN Secretary General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.
UNAOC’s project activity is designed to counter polarisation, radicalism, and violent extremism, in particular when they are religiously or culturally motivated. (PANA/NAN)