Qatar University's (QU) Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) is hosting an international conference on studying the causes of extremism.

The conference, which began in Doha yesterday, convenes international experts, scientists, and decision-makers from 20 countries around the world.

The two-day event is designed to have five sessions on topics such as the role of evidence-based policy in combating extremism, assessing risk factors for this phenomenon, ways to control and combat it, processes of extremism and flexibility, and new approaches to measure extremism and intolerance.

This is the first-of-its-kind conference in the region and supports Qatar's ongoing efforts to strengthen the fight against terrorism in bilateral and multilateral forums, according to the conference organizers.

The International conference on studying the causes of extremism by the Social & Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University (SESRI) kicked off Saturday with the presence of international experts, scientists and decision-makers from 20 countries around the world.#QNA pic.twitter.com/Je7qoGwXAy

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) September 7, 2019

Experts at the conference will discuss the factors and risks of extremism and the mechanisms to address this phenomenon, in addition to assessing international efforts in this area, said Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, Qatar University.

He mentioned that the conference is a platform for launching an important new research project by SESRI in partnership with several research centers and distinguished policy institutes around the world. 

The project focuses on developing an international index to measure the level of extremism leading to violence. It will also help researchers and policymakers study the determinants of extremism and track them over time and space while having access to international data on the phenomenon.

Speaking during the opening session, Chairman of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee (NCTC), Major General Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ansari underscored the importance of this conference and its role in enhancing Qatar’s efforts in confronting terrorism.

“This indicator will be an essential reference for measuring this phenomenon,” he said, adding that "the phenomenon of extremism is global and requires an international effort to combat it."

Qatar is one of the leading countries in combating the phenomenon of terrorism “and is proud of what it accomplishes at the international level in this field," the NCTC Chairman noted. 

Furthermore, the Executive Director of the Executive Directorate of Counter-Terrorism at the UN Security Council, Michele Coninsx, commended the conference, stressing the need for a practical and thoughtful approach to combating the phenomenon of terrorism and studying the causes of some tendency toward this dangerous scourge. 

She called for genuine partnerships between governments, research centers, and various civil society institutions to put in place effective mechanisms to counter extremism.

--

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

Cover Image Credit and Source: QNA