The challenges of preventing violent extremism in the Francophone space

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Type:

March 2018. The challenges of preventing violent extremism in the Francophone space: reflection on innovative partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa.

As part of the Fortnight of La Francophonie in Senegal, the Quebec General Delegation Office in Dakar brought together various French-speaking experts in the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, particularly from West Africa, in order to discuss the challenges and opportunities for concrete collaborations in the Francophone area.

The UNESCO-PREV Chair was invited, along with other experts, to address primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, particularly in the areas of psychosocial intervention, education, action research, media, art and culture.

The activity took place in two stages; first, a technical round table brought together approximately fifteen experts (government institutions, researchers, international organizations, etc.), followed by a public panel open to members of the Group of Friends of La Francophonie and their partners.

Participants in discussions primarily called for:

• An accurate picture of the state of dialogue between experts dedicated to the prevention of radicalization through the study of certain regional initiatives, and the benefit of an international comparison based on practices applied in French-speaking countries;

• Examine the consideration and scope of this regional Francophone expertise in the actions and commitments advocated by member states and governments of the Francophonie.