International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism Date in the current year: February 12, 2024

The term violent extremism refers to a form of extremism that condones and enacts violence with deliberate or ideological intent, such as political or religious violence. The process by which individuals and entire groups adopt violence as a means of action they consider desirable and legitimate is referred to as radicalization.

It is believed that radicalization resulting in violent extremism occurs due to a combination of psychological, institutional, and socio-economic factors that can be divided into three principal categories: push factors, pull factors, and contextual factors. 

Push factors are factors driving a person to violent extremism such as real or perceived discrimination, inequality, persecution and other grievances. Pull factors are factors that make violent extremism appealing such as the existence of violent extremist groups that provide certain benefits in exchange for membership, be it specific services or simply a feeling of belonging. Finally, contextual factors are factors that create a favorable environment for the emergence of violent extremist groups such as corruption and human rights violations.

The rise of violent extremism has been an ongoing problem in many parts of the world. All countries and regions are vulnerable to its impact regardless of their level of development and political stability. Violent extremism undermines peace and security, results in human rights violations, and hinders sustainable development.

Although violent extremism is typically linked to a variety of beliefs and attitudes that lie on the extreme end of the ideological, political, or religious spectrum within society, it must not be associated with a particular religion, ethnic group or nationality. It also doesn’t arise in a vacuum; narratives used by violent extremist groups to recruit new members become especially attractive in countries and regions characterized by a lack of good governance and human rights violations.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted its Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which includes over 70 recommendations to the UN organizations and member states to prevent the spread of violent extremism. The plan isn’t limited to essential counter-terrorism measures based on security; it calls for a more comprehensive approach that also encompasses preventive measures against the underlying conditions that violent extremist groups exploit to radicalize individuals and drive them to join their ranks.

The UN General Assembly designated February 12 as International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism in 2022. It is meant to raise global awareness of the dangers and drastic consequences of violent extremism that have contributed to humanitarian crises and affected millions of people around the globe.