International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism is marked annually on 12 February. Find out more about efforts by UNICRI to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization, while working closely with youth.
Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization
Terrorism is a global threat, impacting communities around the world.
As the United Nations research and training institute for criminal justice and crime prevention, UNICRI closely monitors trends and developments, with a view to enhancing the capacity of Member States and partners to prevent, curtail, and respond to terrorist incidents.
UNICRI’s research shows that the devastating impacts of climate change on local livelihoods increase competition for resources, heighten tensions between communities, and often lead to conflict. This can also make vulnerable groups susceptible to violent extremist narratives.
UNICRI works with local communities, civil society, and state institutions to address threats related to radicalization and violent extremism as well as to understand their impacts on societies, and in particular, vulnerable groups.
UNICRI works with partners at the community level to tackle drivers for radicalization of youth as well as to address gender dynamics of recruitment and radicalization to violent extremism.
UNICRI shares research, good practices, and concrete examples of how we can integrate and leverage sport to prevent and combat violent extremism.
Youth Programming
UNICRI works with youth as key partners – in sport and beyond – because we recognize their unique role to promote peace and security and to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism in their communities.
UNICRI’s research shows that empowering youth through sport gives them a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Empowering youth through sport provides them with opportunities to cultivate leadership skills, benefit from mentorship, and build connections across diverse backgrounds and experiences.
As a partner of the Global Sports Programme, UNICRI is working closely with ten different civil society organizations around the world, selected through the Programme's grant initiative to implement sports-based initiatives to prevent violent extremism (PVE), with a focus on youth as primary beneficiaries.
UNICRI’s work with local civil society underscores the pressing need for leaders to genuinely listen to the voices and perspectives of youth. Youth involvement in shaping policies for the present and future is not merely symbolic; it is necessary for sustainable and effective solutions across peace and development contexts.
