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Why violent extremist narratives resonate | Christina Nemr | TEDxCibeles


[Applause]

[Applause] eight years ago I began working to

eight years ago I began working to

eight years ago I began working to understand why youth joined terrorist

understand why youth joined terrorist

understand why youth joined terrorist groups or violent extremist groups

groups or violent extremist groups

groups or violent extremist groups I was curious as to why anyone would

I was curious as to why anyone would

I was curious as to why anyone would choose violence I wasn’t sure what I was

choose violence I wasn’t sure what I was

choose violence I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to find but I didn’t expect to

expecting to find but I didn’t expect to

expecting to find but I didn’t expect to see elements of myself you see the

see elements of myself you see the

see elements of myself you see the search for identity is a common

search for identity is a common

search for identity is a common characteristic of those who turn to

characteristic of those who turn to

characteristic of those who turn to vaunt extremism and as I researched more

vaunt extremism and as I researched more

vaunt extremism and as I researched more and more youth whose desire for an

and more youth whose desire for an

and more youth whose desire for an identity had led them down the path of

identity had led them down the path of

identity had led them down the path of violent extremism I realized that I

violent extremism I realized that I

violent extremism I realized that I understood that very real and human need

understood that very real and human need

understood that very real and human need the need to belong just a quick story I

the need to belong just a quick story I

the need to belong just a quick story I was born in the US but my parents are

was born in the US but my parents are

was born in the US but my parents are from Lebanon I went to a primary school

from Lebanon I went to a primary school

from Lebanon I went to a primary school where I was one of a few minorities and

where I was one of a few minorities and

where I was one of a few minorities and the only one with a Middle Eastern

the only one with a Middle Eastern

the only one with a Middle Eastern background so at home my parents

background so at home my parents

background so at home my parents emphasize Lebanese values Lebanese

emphasize Lebanese values Lebanese

emphasize Lebanese values Lebanese culture and then at school I struggled

culture and then at school I struggled

culture and then at school I struggled to fit in with my classmates who bullied

to fit in with my classmates who bullied

to fit in with my classmates who bullied and teased me for the way that I looked

and teased me for the way that I looked

and teased me for the way that I looked or the fact that I spoke Arabic or even

or the fact that I spoke Arabic or even

or the fact that I spoke Arabic or even the Lebanese food that I would bring to

the Lebanese food that I would bring to

the Lebanese food that I would bring to lunch as a child it’s very difficult to

lunch as a child it’s very difficult to

lunch as a child it’s very difficult to be made to feel like you don’t belong

be made to feel like you don’t belong

be made to feel like you don’t belong and so I share this story with you not

and so I share this story with you not

and so I share this story with you not because I myself was radicalized I was

because I myself was radicalized I was

because I myself was radicalized I was not but it illustrates one of the

not but it illustrates one of the

not but it illustrates one of the largest lessons I have learned over the

largest lessons I have learned over the

largest lessons I have learned over the years the study of violent extremism is

years the study of violent extremism is

years the study of violent extremism is not the study of us versus them it’s the

not the study of us versus them it’s the

not the study of us versus them it’s the study of you and

study of you and

study of you and me it’s the study and understanding of

me it’s the study and understanding of

me it’s the study and understanding of the desires that we all have for

the desires that we all have for

the desires that we all have for acceptance belonging self-worth and

acceptance belonging self-worth and

acceptance belonging self-worth and sometimes the vulnerabilities that can

sometimes the vulnerabilities that can

sometimes the vulnerabilities that can arise as we pursue those desires so for

arise as we pursue those desires so for

arise as we pursue those desires so for the next few minutes I’d like to share

the next few minutes I’d like to share

the next few minutes I’d like to share some of the other lessons that I have

some of the other lessons that I have

some of the other lessons that I have learned over the years with you but I’m

learned over the years with you but I’m

learned over the years with you but I’m going to caution you you may walk out of

going to caution you you may walk out of

going to caution you you may walk out of here today feeling like I do sometimes

here today feeling like I do sometimes

here today feeling like I do sometimes which is that there are more questions

which is that there are more questions

which is that there are more questions than there are answers questions like

than there are answers questions like

than there are answers questions like why would anyone put on a suicide vest

why would anyone put on a suicide vest

why would anyone put on a suicide vest and go to a concert to kill teenage

and go to a concert to kill teenage

and go to a concert to kill teenage girls this research this field does not

girls this research this field does not

girls this research this field does not have all the answers but I do hope that

have all the answers but I do hope that

have all the answers but I do hope that you will leave here today understanding

you will leave here today understanding

you will leave here today understanding that violent extremism doesn’t happen in

that violent extremism doesn’t happen in

that violent extremism doesn’t happen in a vacuum in 2015

a vacuum in 2015

a vacuum in 2015 three girls left their home in London to

three girls left their home in London to

three girls left their home in London to go travel to Syria to join Isis after

go travel to Syria to join Isis after

go travel to Syria to join Isis after having been in contact with a female

having been in contact with a female

having been in contact with a female Isis recruiter in 2016

Isis recruiter in 2016

Isis recruiter in 2016 researchers in Sweden noted that a

researchers in Sweden noted that a

researchers in Sweden noted that a neo-nazi group was starting to actively

neo-nazi group was starting to actively

neo-nazi group was starting to actively mobilize and recruit hailing the u.s.

mobilize and recruit hailing the u.s.

mobilize and recruit hailing the u.s. election as the beginning of a world

election as the beginning of a world

election as the beginning of a world revolution I could go on and on from

revolution I could go on and on from

revolution I could go on and on from Buddhist extremists in Myanmar who are

Buddhist extremists in Myanmar who are

Buddhist extremists in Myanmar who are persecuting Muslims – Boko Haram in

persecuting Muslims – Boko Haram in

persecuting Muslims – Boko Haram in Nigeria – Hindu extremists in India

Nigeria – Hindu extremists in India

Nigeria – Hindu extremists in India across time across cultures you can find

across time across cultures you can find

across time across cultures you can find examples of violent extremist groups but

examples of violent extremist groups but

examples of violent extremist groups but I give you these examples to illustrate

I give you these examples to illustrate

I give you these examples to illustrate one of the biggest lessons which is that

one of the biggest lessons which is that

one of the biggest lessons which is that there is no single profile of someone

there is no single profile of someone

there is no single profile of someone that will join a violent extremist group

that will join a violent extremist group

that will join a violent extremist group or become violently extreme no one

or become violently extreme no one

or become violently extreme no one single profile it cuts across all

single profile it cuts across all

single profile it cuts across all demographics from age to gender to

demographics from age to gender to

demographics from age to gender to socioeconomic status to education level

socioeconomic status to education level

socioeconomic status to education level but research has found a few overarching

but research has found a few overarching

but research has found a few overarching factors that might lead someone down

factors that might lead someone down

factors that might lead someone down that path the first set of factors are

that path the first set of factors are

that path the first set of factors are more structural underlying factors that

more structural underlying factors that

more structural underlying factors that might push someone down the path I might

might push someone down the path I might

might push someone down the path I might frustrate them and these things include

frustrate them and these things include

frustrate them and these things include government repression of certain groups

government repression of certain groups

government repression of certain groups or government corruption or a government

or government corruption or a government

or government corruption or a government that acts with impunity towards its

that acts with impunity towards its

that acts with impunity towards its citizens human rights abuses group

citizens human rights abuses group

citizens human rights abuses group marginalization disenfranchisement

marginalization disenfranchisement

marginalization disenfranchisement perhaps unemployment or underemployment

perhaps unemployment or underemployment

perhaps unemployment or underemployment all of these things can understandably

all of these things can understandably

all of these things can understandably frustrates um one and leave them looking

frustrates um one and leave them looking

frustrates um one and leave them looking elsewhere for a sense of control or

elsewhere for a sense of control or

elsewhere for a sense of control or justice or opportunity the second set of

justice or opportunity the second set of

justice or opportunity the second set of factors are more personal more

factors are more personal more

factors are more personal more individual ones that can pull someone in

individual ones that can pull someone in

individual ones that can pull someone in towards violent extremism these things

towards violent extremism these things

towards violent extremism these things include what I mentioned earlier the

include what I mentioned earlier the

include what I mentioned earlier the sense the wanting to belong a sense of

sense the wanting to belong a sense of

sense the wanting to belong a sense of an identity perhaps wanting to impress

an identity perhaps wanting to impress

an identity perhaps wanting to impress your peers or your friends or you might

your peers or your friends or you might

your peers or your friends or you might even be recruited by your friends or

even be recruited by your friends or

even be recruited by your friends or even the search for adventure now those

even the search for adventure now those

even the search for adventure now those who are recruited to Vonn extremism it’s

who are recruited to Vonn extremism it’s

who are recruited to Vonn extremism it’s never these manie’s factors aren’t

never these manie’s factors aren’t

never these manie’s factors aren’t mutually exclusive

mutually exclusive

mutually exclusive it’s always a combination the structural

it’s always a combination the structural

it’s always a combination the structural factors that combine with their personal

factors that combine with their personal

factors that combine with their personal grievances and then enabled by peer

grievances and then enabled by peer

grievances and then enabled by peer networks

networks

networks so using these factors maybe we can

so using these factors maybe we can

so using these factors maybe we can apply them to the two case studies I

apply them to the two case studies I

apply them to the two case studies I mentioned earlier so we can see where

mentioned earlier so we can see where

mentioned earlier so we can see where things went wrong in the case of the

things went wrong in the case of the

things went wrong in the case of the three girls from London records show

three girls from London records show

three girls from London records show that they were experiencing a few

that they were experiencing a few

that they were experiencing a few different things now it should be noted

different things now it should be noted

different things now it should be noted these these three teenage girls they

these these three teenage girls they

these these three teenage girls they were excellent students they were

were excellent students they were

were excellent students they were mentors to other students in their class

mentors to other students in their class

mentors to other students in their class but they were the children of immigrants

but they were the children of immigrants

but they were the children of immigrants their families were from Ethiopia and

their families were from Ethiopia and

their families were from Ethiopia and Bangladesh

Bangladesh

Bangladesh and so as first generation they were

and so as first generation they were

and so as first generation they were struggling to you know uphold their

struggling to you know uphold their

struggling to you know uphold their culture yet still exist in UK society

culture yet still exist in UK society

culture yet still exist in UK society and records show that they were also

and records show that they were also

and records show that they were also experiencing Islamophobia in their wider

experiencing Islamophobia in their wider

experiencing Islamophobia in their wider community at the same time they were

community at the same time they were

community at the same time they were increasingly becoming aware of the

increasingly becoming aware of the

increasingly becoming aware of the situation in Syria and wondering why no

situation in Syria and wondering why no

situation in Syria and wondering why no one was intervening to help they were in

one was intervening to help they were in

one was intervening to help they were in turn turning more to religion both as a

turn turning more to religion both as a

turn turning more to religion both as a way to claim that religiosity as young

way to claim that religiosity as young

way to claim that religiosity as young females and assert themselves as young

females and assert themselves as young

females and assert themselves as young feminists and then it appears that

feminists and then it appears that

feminists and then it appears that perhaps one of the final straws is that

perhaps one of the final straws is that

perhaps one of the final straws is that they became in touch with a female Isis

they became in touch with a female Isis

they became in touch with a female Isis recruiter who reached out to them and

recruiter who reached out to them and

recruiter who reached out to them and painted this utopia of Isis and what

painted this utopia of Isis and what

painted this utopia of Isis and what they were doing in Syria saying that

they were doing in Syria saying that

they were doing in Syria saying that they could come and choose their own

they could come and choose their own

they could come and choose their own husbands and have a hand in building

husbands and have a hand in building

husbands and have a hand in building families and building Isis society now

families and building Isis society now

families and building Isis society now in the case of the neo-nazi we have a

in the case of the neo-nazi we have a

in the case of the neo-nazi we have a first-hand account of an Australian man

first-hand account of an Australian man

first-hand account of an Australian man named James who years ago was recruited

named James who years ago was recruited

named James who years ago was recruited as James tells it early on in his

as James tells it early on in his

as James tells it early on in his childhood he was bullied and so he

childhood he was bullied and so he

childhood he was bullied and so he turned to drinking and drugs as a way to

turned to drinking and drugs as a way to

turned to drinking and drugs as a way to cope that then led him to meet other

cope that then led him to meet other

cope that then led him to meet other teenagers doing the same thing and they

teenagers doing the same thing and they

teenagers doing the same thing and they were approached by an older man who was

were approached by an older man who was

were approached by an older man who was a neo-nazi he regaled them with stories

a neo-nazi he regaled them with stories

a neo-nazi he regaled them with stories of adventure and crime and violence and

of adventure and crime and violence and

of adventure and crime and violence and then he started bringing them to new

then he started bringing them to new

then he started bringing them to new Nazi rallies and was at these rallies

Nazi rallies and was at these rallies

Nazi rallies and was at these rallies that James heard the neo-nazi propaganda

that James heard the neo-nazi propaganda

that James heard the neo-nazi propaganda that victimhood narrative that all of

that victimhood narrative that all of

that victimhood narrative that all of the issues he was facing all the

the issues he was facing all the

the issues he was facing all the suffering he was facing it was not his

suffering he was facing it was not his

suffering he was facing it was not his fault he had no role to play he didn’t

fault he had no role to play he didn’t

fault he had no role to play he didn’t have to take responsibility not only was

have to take responsibility not only was

have to take responsibility not only was it not his fault it was the fault of

it not his fault it was the fault of

it not his fault it was the fault of non-whites they were the cause of his

non-whites they were the cause of his

non-whites they were the cause of his suffering and he could have a hand in

suffering and he could have a hand in

suffering and he could have a hand in the solution he could help get rid of

the solution he could help get rid of

the solution he could help get rid of non-whites so using these two case

non-whites so using these two case

non-whites so using these two case studies you might

studies you might

studies you might able to see along the path where things

able to see along the path where things

able to see along the path where things were going wrong or you might be

were going wrong or you might be

were going wrong or you might be thinking to yourself well all of us have

thinking to yourself well all of us have

thinking to yourself well all of us have less than perfect childhoods not

less than perfect childhoods not

less than perfect childhoods not everybody you know has a perfect

everybody you know has a perfect

everybody you know has a perfect childhood where they’re well-adjusted

childhood where they’re well-adjusted

childhood where they’re well-adjusted where they’re not teased and not

where they’re not teased and not

where they’re not teased and not everybody turns to violent extremism

everybody turns to violent extremism

everybody turns to violent extremism you’re right so how does the process of

you’re right so how does the process of

you’re right so how does the process of extremism and then to Vons extremism

extremism and then to Vons extremism

extremism and then to Vons extremism even happen

even happen

even happen generally it starts with a grievance and

generally it starts with a grievance and

generally it starts with a grievance and this grievance can be any number one of

this grievance can be any number one of

this grievance can be any number one of the things that I mentioned earlier when

the things that I mentioned earlier when

the things that I mentioned earlier when you’re feeling frustrated you’re feeling

you’re feeling frustrated you’re feeling

you’re feeling frustrated you’re feeling excluded you’re feeling marginalized

excluded you’re feeling marginalized

excluded you’re feeling marginalized like you’re not part of your society and

like you’re not part of your society and

like you’re not part of your society and it leaves you wondering why why am i

it leaves you wondering why why am i

it leaves you wondering why why am i suffering or why is the group that I am

suffering or why is the group that I am

suffering or why is the group that I am a part of suffering now you may know

a part of suffering now you may know

a part of suffering now you may know from other contexts you human beings are

from other contexts you human beings are

from other contexts you human beings are very hardwired to reject uncertainty and

very hardwired to reject uncertainty and

very hardwired to reject uncertainty and ambiguity we don’t like it we need

ambiguity we don’t like it we need

ambiguity we don’t like it we need structure we need order we need answers

structure we need order we need answers

structure we need order we need answers and so here you have what psychologists

and so here you have what psychologists

and so here you have what psychologists are gay Craig Lansky calls

are gay Craig Lansky calls

are gay Craig Lansky calls cognitive closure in the face of

cognitive closure in the face of

cognitive closure in the face of uncertainty in the face of ambiguity we

uncertainty in the face of ambiguity we

uncertainty in the face of ambiguity we seek answers clarity and closure as

seek answers clarity and closure as

seek answers clarity and closure as quickly as possible and some of us crave

quickly as possible and some of us crave

quickly as possible and some of us crave this closure a lot more deeply than

this closure a lot more deeply than

this closure a lot more deeply than others and those of us that do can be

others and those of us that do can be

others and those of us that do can be very susceptible to extremist ideologies

very susceptible to extremist ideologies

very susceptible to extremist ideologies or worldview

or worldview

or worldview why because extremist ideologies are

why because extremist ideologies are

why because extremist ideologies are very clear no gray it’s black and white

very clear no gray it’s black and white

very clear no gray it’s black and white there’s right there’s a wrong there is

there’s right there’s a wrong there is

there’s right there’s a wrong there is the persecuted and there are those who

the persecuted and there are those who

the persecuted and there are those who are doing the persecuting and so for

are doing the persecuting and so for

are doing the persecuting and so for people who are feeling lost don’t

people who are feeling lost don’t

people who are feeling lost don’t understand why they’re suffering they

understand why they’re suffering they

understand why they’re suffering they can be very taken in by that and not

can be very taken in by that and not

can be very taken in by that and not only that once they embrace the ideology

only that once they embrace the ideology

only that once they embrace the ideology it gives them a whole group of people

it gives them a whole group of people

it gives them a whole group of people who are reinforcing them and supporting

who are reinforcing them and supporting

who are reinforcing them and supporting them and validating their thoughts it

them and validating their thoughts it

them and validating their thoughts it can be very fair

can be very fair

can be very fair powerful but of course it should be

powerful but of course it should be

powerful but of course it should be noted that not everybody who thinks

noted that not everybody who thinks

noted that not everybody who thinks extreme thoughts will turn violent

extreme thoughts will turn violent

extreme thoughts will turn violent thankfully the majority do not extremism

thankfully the majority do not extremism

thankfully the majority do not extremism turns violent usually when there’s some

turns violent usually when there’s some

turns violent usually when there’s some sort of tipping point and that tipping

sort of tipping point and that tipping

sort of tipping point and that tipping point can come in the form of some sort

point can come in the form of some sort

point can come in the form of some sort of traumatic event or a lot of times it

of traumatic event or a lot of times it

of traumatic event or a lot of times it comes in the form of a friend or an

comes in the form of a friend or an

comes in the form of a friend or an acquaintance or a recruiter pushing you

acquaintance or a recruiter pushing you

acquaintance or a recruiter pushing you and egging you on much like we saw in

and egging you on much like we saw in

and egging you on much like we saw in the case the two case studies I

the case the two case studies I

the case the two case studies I mentioned earlier now I want to mention

mentioned earlier now I want to mention

mentioned earlier now I want to mention quickly here that this idea of cognitive

quickly here that this idea of cognitive

quickly here that this idea of cognitive closure it applies to all of us in our

closure it applies to all of us in our

closure it applies to all of us in our need to have answers can be just as

need to have answers can be just as

need to have answers can be just as dangerous in the wake of a terrorist

dangerous in the wake of a terrorist

dangerous in the wake of a terrorist attack as the terrorist attack itself

attack as the terrorist attack itself

attack as the terrorist attack itself why because an attack happens and we

why because an attack happens and we

why because an attack happens and we understandably become very upset we

understandably become very upset we

understandably become very upset we become scared we want answers we want

become scared we want answers we want

become scared we want answers we want our government to act react very

our government to act react very

our government to act react very strongly but of course and we might

strongly but of course and we might

strongly but of course and we might become suspicious of you know certain

become suspicious of you know certain

become suspicious of you know certain groups or religions but that can lead to

groups or religions but that can lead to

groups or religions but that can lead to further marginalization further

further marginalization further

further marginalization further unnecessary discrimination that is more

unnecessary discrimination that is more

unnecessary discrimination that is more harmful than it is helpful also here I’d

harmful than it is helpful also here I’d

harmful than it is helpful also here I’d like to mention the role of the media in

like to mention the role of the media in

like to mention the role of the media in the way media covers terrorism of course

the way media covers terrorism of course

the way media covers terrorism of course it goes without saying it’s essential

it goes without saying it’s essential

it goes without saying it’s essential but we need to consider the ways in

but we need to consider the ways in

but we need to consider the ways in which it can be harmful and I’ll give

which it can be harmful and I’ll give

which it can be harmful and I’ll give you a very quick story in 2011 the

you a very quick story in 2011 the

you a very quick story in 2011 the National Geographic aired a documentary

National Geographic aired a documentary

National Geographic aired a documentary on ms-13 they are criminal gang

on ms-13 they are criminal gang

on ms-13 they are criminal gang originating in California operating in

originating in California operating in

originating in California operating in 33 states and six countries very violent

33 states and six countries very violent

33 states and six countries very violent and this documentary touched on their

and this documentary touched on their

and this documentary touched on their violence the killings the beheadings it

violence the killings the beheadings it

violence the killings the beheadings it was horrible

was horrible

was horrible what happened in the weeks after it

what happened in the weeks after it

what happened in the weeks after it aired law enforcement officials told me

aired law enforcement officials told me

aired law enforcement officials told me that they saw recruitment for ms-13 soar

that they saw recruitment for ms-13 soar

that they saw recruitment for ms-13 soar we have also seen research relevant

we have also seen research relevant

we have also seen research relevant research

research

research after the wake of a terrorist attack

after the wake of a terrorist attack

after the wake of a terrorist attack when the media focuses and does that

when the media focuses and does that

when the media focuses and does that 24/7 news hour cycle on terrorism the

24/7 news hour cycle on terrorism the

24/7 news hour cycle on terrorism the attack that sensational reporting it can

attack that sensational reporting it can

attack that sensational reporting it can encourage further attacks now it’s

encourage further attacks now it’s

encourage further attacks now it’s obviously hard to know where you know

obviously hard to know where you know

obviously hard to know where you know what how much coverage is too much how

what how much coverage is too much how

what how much coverage is too much how much is too little but I think we do

much is too little but I think we do

much is too little but I think we do need to consider if the ways in which we

need to consider if the ways in which we

need to consider if the ways in which we provide free marketing people free

provide free marketing people free

provide free marketing people free publicity to terrorism so what can we do

publicity to terrorism so what can we do

publicity to terrorism so what can we do well governments and other organizations

well governments and other organizations

well governments and other organizations have been working on this issue for a

have been working on this issue for a

have been working on this issue for a long time and some of their solutions

long time and some of their solutions

long time and some of their solutions they try to give youth outlets to

they try to give youth outlets to

they try to give youth outlets to express some of their grievances another

express some of their grievances another

express some of their grievances another popular solution is a counter messaging

popular solution is a counter messaging

popular solution is a counter messaging initiative now a counter message

initiative now a counter message

initiative now a counter message initiative focuses on the ideology or

initiative focuses on the ideology or

initiative focuses on the ideology or the narrative of a violent extremist

the narrative of a violent extremist

the narrative of a violent extremist group for example if Isis puts out a

group for example if Isis puts out a

group for example if Isis puts out a video of what life is like in Syria and

video of what life is like in Syria and

video of what life is like in Syria and Iraq and they paint it as this great

Iraq and they paint it as this great

Iraq and they paint it as this great place where you can come and help build

place where you can come and help build

place where you can come and help build society the counter message that someone

society the counter message that someone

society the counter message that someone might put out would say no actually it’s

might put out would say no actually it’s

might put out would say no actually it’s terrible they’re beheading they’re

terrible they’re beheading they’re

terrible they’re beheading they’re raping they’re killing people you don’t

raping they’re killing people you don’t

raping they’re killing people you don’t want to go it seems intuitive however

want to go it seems intuitive however

want to go it seems intuitive however the problem with these counter message

the problem with these counter message

the problem with these counter message initiatives is that they’re focusing on

initiatives is that they’re focusing on

initiatives is that they’re focusing on the ideology but as I’ve just said it’s

the ideology but as I’ve just said it’s

the ideology but as I’ve just said it’s not always the ideology that came first

not always the ideology that came first

not always the ideology that came first people have real grievances real

people have real grievances real

people have real grievances real frustrations that lead them to look for

frustrations that lead them to look for

frustrations that lead them to look for answers which leads them to the ideology

answers which leads them to the ideology

answers which leads them to the ideology and they brace the ideology so when you

and they brace the ideology so when you

and they brace the ideology so when you push back on the narrative and you push

push back on the narrative and you push

push back on the narrative and you push back on that violent ideology you still

back on that violent ideology you still

back on that violent ideology you still have not addressed what drove someone to

have not addressed what drove someone to

have not addressed what drove someone to embrace the ideology in the first place

embrace the ideology in the first place

embrace the ideology in the first place there’s a second issue with these

there’s a second issue with these

there’s a second issue with these initiatives research shows that when

initiatives research shows that when

initiatives research shows that when you’re trying to convince or persuade

you’re trying to convince or persuade

you’re trying to convince or persuade someone

someone

someone facts don’t matter and I think we’ve

facts don’t matter and I think we’ve

facts don’t matter and I think we’ve seen examples of this from the US

seen examples of this from the US

seen examples of this from the US presidential election from the brexit

presidential election from the brexit

presidential election from the brexit campaign and all over they don’t work

campaign and all over they don’t work

campaign and all over they don’t work facts don’t matter unfortunately if you

facts don’t matter unfortunately if you

facts don’t matter unfortunately if you actually want to convince or persuade

actually want to convince or persuade

actually want to convince or persuade someone you have to appeal to their

someone you have to appeal to their

someone you have to appeal to their values to their emotions you have to

values to their emotions you have to

values to their emotions you have to understand why it is they think and they

understand why it is they think and they

understand why it is they think and they believe what they do so just some final

believe what they do so just some final

believe what they do so just some final thoughts here if we want to address

thoughts here if we want to address

thoughts here if we want to address violent extremism we need to address

violent extremism we need to address

violent extremism we need to address what is driving it that means that

what is driving it that means that

what is driving it that means that solutions aren’t going to come from a

solutions aren’t going to come from a

solutions aren’t going to come from a 5-month

5-month

5-month messaging campaign a six-months

messaging campaign a six-months

messaging campaign a six-months entrepreneurship skills program trying

entrepreneurship skills program trying

entrepreneurship skills program trying to provide outlets for youth these fixes

to provide outlets for youth these fixes

to provide outlets for youth these fixes require long term strategies that

require long term strategies that

require long term strategies that address the structural grievances that

address the structural grievances that

address the structural grievances that allow violent ideologies to fester we

allow violent ideologies to fester we

allow violent ideologies to fester we need to address the corruption the

need to address the corruption the

need to address the corruption the injustice the marginalization that deny

injustice the marginalization that deny

injustice the marginalization that deny access to people and civil society

access to people and civil society

access to people and civil society organizations are doing wonderful work

organizations are doing wonderful work

organizations are doing wonderful work in this space but they cannot do this

in this space but they cannot do this

in this space but they cannot do this work alone governments need to be

work alone governments need to be

work alone governments need to be sincere about reforming and addressing

sincere about reforming and addressing

sincere about reforming and addressing these issues will we ever end to

these issues will we ever end to

these issues will we ever end to terrorism no and that is a risk we have

terrorism no and that is a risk we have

terrorism no and that is a risk we have to take on there will always be a subset

to take on there will always be a subset

to take on there will always be a subset of society that believes in using

of society that believes in using

of society that believes in using violence to achieve their goals but what

violence to achieve their goals but what

violence to achieve their goals but what we can do as human beings is to be more

we can do as human beings is to be more

we can do as human beings is to be more accepting more inclusive and to demand

accepting more inclusive and to demand

accepting more inclusive and to demand that our societies do the same to reject

that our societies do the same to reject

that our societies do the same to reject the us-versus-them narrative because as

the us-versus-them narrative because as

the us-versus-them narrative because as I’m hoping you understand down violent

I’m hoping you understand down violent

I’m hoping you understand down violent extremism does not happen in a vacuum

extremism does not happen in a vacuum

extremism does not happen in a vacuum thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

”

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