UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
Dr. Zainab Al-Rukabi, a member of the UNESCO Chair for Interfaith Dialogue, participated in the conference titled “Strategies for Building Peace in the Face of Extremism and Terrorism,” organized by the University of Kufa, the Islamic University, and Al-Imam Al-Kadhim College on Monday, April 21, 2024.
The research paper was titled “Higher Education as a Tool to Combat Extremism: Between Challenges and Solutions – A Proactive Vision,” in which the researcher discussed the relationship between the quality of education and the spread of extremism. She highlighted that there is an inverse relationship between educational quality and the prevalence of extremism, emphasizing that low educational levels and the absence of critical thinking are among the factors that contribute to the adoption of extremist ideologies.
Given that universities play a significant role in society by producing graduates and equipping it with youthful energy and intellectual orientation, they bear a key responsibility in combating extremism and terrorism through a set of targeted mechanisms aimed at shaping citizens who are committed to their national identity.
This can be achieved first by identifying the main challenges and obstacles that universities face in combating extremism, and then addressing them through a series of strategic mechanisms in order to achieve the desired outcomes in fighting extremist ideologies.
