As part of its efforts to foster intellectual dialogue and exchange perspectives among experts and specialists, TRENDS Research & Advisory has launched the TRENDS Research Council with an inaugural discussion session titled Education and Extremism.

The Council aims to organize a series of scientific symposiums, dialogue sessions, and focused discussions, creating a constructive platform for debate on contemporary issues and challenges. It serves as an interactive intellectual forum that brings together academics, researchers and thinkers from around the world to promote a culture of dialogue.

In the first session of the TRENDS Research Council, Dr. Karima Al-Mazroui, Advisor to the Chancellor of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, discussed the role of education in providing a secure environment to combat extremism and prevent extremist ideologies from infiltrating the minds of young people. She emphasized that education plays a crucial role in countering extremism, serving as the first line of defense against radical ideologies.

Dr. Al-Mazroui referenced UNESCO reports indicating that 70% of youth are recruited through digital platforms such as video games and social media, while 30% are influenced through educational channels. She also highlighted that extremist groups often target students around the age of 13, exploiting their search for identity and heroism, particularly those facing family issues or school bullying.

During the session, Dr. Al-Mazroui discussed the critical role of schools in preventing the spread of extremist ideologies. She identified several key entry points for extremist thought, including weak curricula, unqualified teachers, lax educational policies, and ineffective extracurricular activities. She stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to countering extremism rather than relying on fragmented solutions.

Dr. Al-Mazroui also warned against the misuse of religion and the misinterpretation of religious texts by unqualified individuals, which can turn schools into breeding grounds for extremism. She explored how teachers—consciously or unconsciously—can become conduits for extremist ideologies, underscoring the need for well-trained, competent educators and advanced teaching methodologies.

She presented international case studies on safeguarding education from extremism, citing Indonesia’s discovery of over 500 teachers involved in spreading extremist ideologies. This prompted Indonesia to implement a national strategy to rehabilitate educators in collaboration with the UAE. She noted that weak curricula in some countries contribute to the spread of extremism, emphasizing that simply removing extremist content without replacing it with more tolerant narratives can have unintended negative consequences.

Dr. Al-Mazroui also explored the link between bullying and extremism, explaining that the absence of clear anti-bullying policies can drive youth toward radical ideologies. She highlighted countries such as Japan, Singapore and Jordan, which have introduced strict educational policies to uphold national values. These nations, like the UAE, have integrated moral education, citizenship, and tolerance into their curricula.

The discussion concluded with a focus on the UAE’s holistic approach to promoting intellectual tolerance within educational institutions. This approach includes the establishment of the Ministry of Tolerance, proactive policy development, and the creation of specialized institutions for awareness and prevention. These measures have positioned the UAE as a global model for preventing extremist ideologies from infiltrating education.