Researchers Argue Empathy Is ‘Key’ to Eradicate extremism

While the rise of extremism is an increasing cause for concern among Canadian authorities, researchers from Concordia University focus on the various ways to prevent and halt recruitment within cult groups.

New research taps into experience of one-time extremists to better understand radicalization process. For years, Canadian authorities downplayed the danger of right-wing extremism, however, they are gradually taking it more seriously.

Empathy, respect and support are needed for those who may be tempted to join hate groups, or are trying to leave them, study finds. As groups like The Base aspire to ever-more violent acts, Canadian law enforcement authorities are treating right-wing extremism as a mounting threat to the country’s security.

Radicalisation does not necessarily lead to violent extremism. Extremists who commit violent crimes are usually characterized by tough personal backgrounds. For example, either themselves directly or the group towards which they feel they belong to might have been victims of discrimination, whether real or perceived.

Officially launched on February 23rd, 2018, the UNESCO-PREV Chair has seen two very busy years in Québec, in Canada and  internationally. In the last twelve months, the Chair’s team aimed to strengthen and structure its network on the national level and, more importantly, on the international level.

In January 2020, the University of Sherbrooke welcomed Justine Coulidiati, an education professor and researcher from the University Ouaga II in Burkina Faso. She specializes in the prevention against violent extremism.

“Converging Patterns in Pathways in and out of Violent Extremism: Insights from Former Canadian Right-Wing Extremists” is a new article by Maxime Bérubé, Ryan Scrivens, Vivek Venkatesh, and Tiana Gaudette, published in Perspectives on Terrorism (Volume 13, Issue 6).

Officially launched on February 23rd, 2018, the UNESCO-PREV Chair has seen two very busy years in Québec, in Canada and  internationally. In the last twelve months, the Chair’s team aimed to strengthen and structure its network on the national level and, more importantly, on the international level.