Government Media and Communication Unit
Under the patronage of Pro. Dr. Saad Ubaid Al-Saidi, Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and in cooperation with the Department for Combating Violent Extremism at the Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies, the Department of Strategic Studies organized a specialized scientific symposium entitled: “The Effectiveness of Awareness of the Risks of Violent Extremism for Building Sustainable Security in Iraq.” The symposium was held as part of the activities marking the International Day for Countering Violent Extremism.
The symposium, held at Al-Hurriya Hall in the College of Political Science University of Baghdad, brought together a distinguished group of researchers and academics who presented papers addressing the phenomenon from multiple perspectives, most notably:
Intellectual, Social, and Psychological Roots:
Dr. Ahmed Muzahem Hadi presented an analytical reading of the various dimensions of extremism.
From Security to Prevention:
Assistant Professor Dr. Rana Mawlood Shaker reviewed the importance of intellectual security as a preventive strategy.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence:
Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Kadhem Abbas discussed the role of modern technologies in countering extremist thought.
Historical and Academic Foundations:
The presented papers also examined mechanisms for strengthening university culture and explored the historical roots of extremism in Iraq.
The symposium concluded with a number of recommendations, the most significant of which included:
At the Intellectual Level:
Developing a moderate religious discourse through official institutions, continuously renewing religious discourse, and launching community awareness campaigns aimed at dismantling extremist ideology.
At the Social Level:
Strengthening policies of national integration, involving tribes and clans in awareness efforts, and supporting programs that promote social cohesion among diverse social groups.
At the Psychological Level:
Establishing specialized centers for the psychological and social rehabilitation of extremists and returnees from conflict zones, and providing psychological support for groups most vulnerable to recruitment.
At the Political Level:
Expanding opportunities for youth political participation, enhancing transparency and combating corruption, and involving local communities in decision-making processes.
At the Economic Level:
Launching ambitious national programs for youth employment, supporting small enterprises in marginalized areas, and linking economic development to the stability of local communities.
The symposium concluded with a call for closer cooperation among academic, security, and societal institutions, emphasizing that sustainable security can only be achieved by addressing the deep-rooted causes of extremism and by strengthening society intellectually and economically.
