School is important link in addressing radicalization and violent extremism

Centre for Civic Education (CCE) organized today, in Podgorica, training on phenomenon of radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism for professionals working in formal education in Montenegro, as part of the project Safe Net. CCE recently presented findings of the public opinion survey on attitudes towards violent extremism and radicalism.

CGO - ŠKOLA JE VAŽNA KARIKA U ADRESIRANJU RADIKALIZACIJE I NASILNOG EKSTREMIZMA

The training gathered 29 professors from 24 high schools and one primary school from 15 Montenegrin municipalities. Through an intensive programme they worked on key terms related to radicalization and violent extremism; experiences related to radicalization and extremism; early signs of radicalization; identifying people at risk of radicalization; factors of radicalization; radicalization as process; as well as practical guidelines for action in specific situations. Additionally, participants of the training were presented with terms such as: extremism, violent extremism, radicalization, radicalizer, radicalizing materials, terrorist radicalization, independent and self-initiative terrorist radicalization, etc.

Ms Jarmila Bujak Stanko, psychologist and expert from Belgrade with track record in work with professionals in the field of education on the issues of radicalization and violent extremism, conducted the training. Furthermore, she is also lead author of guideline for teachers and other professionals working with young people within educational process on these issues. The guideline was also presented to the participants during the training.

Project Safe Net aims to contribute to contribute to reduction and prevention of the radicalization trend in Montenegro by strengthening the culture of social dialogue on controversial and extremist issues, as well as to strengthen democratic processes as key prevention of the escalation of terrorism and violent extremism in their various forms. Additionally, the project also focus on the role of education in preventing violent extremism, but also the importance of promoting culture of social dialogue and cooperation, democratic values and human rights principles as preventive mechanisms against terrorism and violent extremism. This project is supported within the programme For a stronger voice of civil society organizations, implemented by Fund for Active Citizenship – fAKT and financed by the US Embassy in Podgorica.

Milos Knezevic, PR/Programme Associate