Preventing violent extremism through education: effective activities and impact

UNESCO’s action to prevent violent extremism through education (PVE-E) seeks to strengthen the capacities of national education systems (eg. policies, teachers, educational contents) to appropriately and effectively contribute to national prevention efforts. This includes equipping learners, of all ages, and notably young women and men, with the knowledge, values, attitudes and behaviours, which foster responsible global citizenship, critical thinking, empathy and the ability to take action against violent extremism.

This policy brief highlights that preventing violent extremism activities can be shown to generate at least forty-five positive impacts at individual, structural & organizational, as well as the community and social levels. 

It also draws up a list of educational activities that are proven to be particularly effective in addressing these drivers, such as peer-to-peer learning (including the presence of testimonials), experiential leaning and role-play, activities stimulating critical reflection, among others.

This policy brief is a first step to helping Member States, donors and practitioners to plan and implement programmes leading to increased positive impact. The analysis will also help all actors leading PVE-E efforts to take evidenced-informed decisions on spending priorities.