Preventing Violent Extremism Through Promoting Inclusive Development, Tolerance and Respect for Diversity; A development response to addressing radicalization and violent extremism

Summary

This UNDP discussion paper presents a development-led framework for preventing violent extremism (PVE), arguing that security-focused approaches alone are insufficient to address the global threat. Grounded in the UN Secretary-General's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and aligned with SDG 16, the paper identifies key drivers of violent extremism—including economic inequality, political exclusion, injustice, corruption, and the rejection of diversity—and proposes eleven interlinked "building blocks" for a comprehensive PVE strategy. These include promoting rule of law and human rights, enhancing participatory governance, providing socio-economic alternatives, strengthening local government capacity, promoting gender equality, engaging youth, and working with faith-based organisations, media, and educational institutions. Validated at a global meeting in Oslo in March 2016 with 135 participants from 47 countries, the framework emphasises that prevention complements security responses and addresses root causes. The paper concludes with an organisational strategy built on three pillars: policy research and advocacy, an action-oriented agenda, and UNDP's implementing capacity.

Keywords

PVE, inclusive development, tolerance, diversity, UNDP

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