Preventing Radicalization

"Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education; they grow there, firm as weeds among rocks."

Education is a key element in the prevention of radicalisation, but not an education whose goal is straight A's or detached from the self. Violent radicalisation is a process of socialisation which leads to the use of violence, it involves accepting an ideology that dehumanises the enemy and through indoctrination of half truths and propaganda attempts to indoctrinate vulnerable individuals to the acceptance of these values. According to a European expert group study, ( 'Radicalisation processes leading to acts of terrorosm' 2008) individuals who have been involved in terrorist activities come from diverse backgrounds, however it is generally agreed that terrorist radicalisation flourishes where there is a sense of injustice either real or simply perceived and it occurs over time and in a phased manner.who you are and one's place in the world. We are failing in one of the most important lessons; allowing for the exploration of our values and this is detrimental to those in society who suffer injustice or feel that they are not appreciated. It is a mistake that we look to schools only to solve this problem. Each one of us has a responsibility to know our real values in life and to know how we would react in a given situation.

We need programmes that allow us to journey in self-knowledge and to loosen and fertilize the soil around ourselves and those we care for.

The Diploma in Social Studies and Counselling Skills is such a journey and is available by e-learning with grant support and scholarships and is leading the way in the prevention of radicalisation, in providing a journey in self-knowledge and an appreciation of diversity.

http://www.arlt-foundation.org/diplomacourse.html