August
28
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Wednesday

A Teacher’s Prevention Guide to Violent Extremism

Presenter: Randy Merced
Audience: Faculty, Staff, Administrators
Location: W2-47
Learning Goals:
After this session, participants will be able to:

  1.  Act effectively and responsibly during the conversation
  2.  Expressing oneself and self-confidence and address conflict positively
  3.  Develop a motivation and willingness to take necessary action
  4.  Listen with respect to different points of view, express one’s own opinion, and evaluate both sides of an argument

Program Description:
One of the most important skills an instructor can possess is the ability to recognize and use “teachable moments” to develop a safe and trusting environment. It is the ideal time to teach an important lesson. Teachable moments can happen almost anywhere and anytime: on the way to the college, in the open spaces, in the school cafeteria, and in the classroom. 

Violent extremism and the underlying forces of radicalization are among the most pervasive challenges of our time. While violent extremism is not confined to any age, sex, group or community, young people are particularly vulnerable to the messages of violent extremists and terrorist organizations.

This seminar will focus on teaching about the impact of violent extremism as well as encouraging open discussions about its prevention is not just to mitigate its immediate impact. Violent extremism concerns, first and foremost, the violation of basic universal values, such as human rights, non-violence and non-discrimination. Prevention measures involve, among others, teaching students positive values and helping them build resilient minds to counter extremist narratives and influences to which they can be exposed, even if they seem, for now, not to be affected by the phenomenon.