QUÉBEC'S CALL FOR ACTION
Québec’s Call for Action was released at the end of the Québec-UNESCO Conference entitled “Internet and the radicalization of youth: preventing, acting and living together.” This landmark document of the Conference stemmed from the deliberations of 500 participants from over 70 countries and urges citizens and the international community to take action to fight and prevent radicalization.
 
By supporting Québec’s Call for Action in large numbers, we are rallying together around a common goal and are calling for action!
 
  • Concerned by the demonstrations of intolerance and violent extremism threatening the efforts made on a national and an international scale in favour of peace, security, protection and promotion of human rights, the rule of law and sustainable development;
  • Considering that radicalization leading to violence is an evolving, multi-facetted global phenomenon, which is not associated with a single religion, ideology or people;Highlighting that the prevention of radicalization leading to violence is a common responsibility in respect of the principles and values enshrined in  numerous international human rights instruments
  • Answering the call of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and committed to its implementation;
  • Reaffirming the importance of a multidimensional approach to analyze and prevent the root causes of radicalization leading to violence;
  • Concerned about the dissemination of violent extremist ideas using new means of communication, which are exploited for the purposes of extremist propaganda, recruitment by radical groups and incitement to commit violent acts motivated by hate and intolerance;
  • Emphasizing that new technologies are also a tool for preventing radicalization leading to violence, especially by making it possible to propose a counternarrative on the Internet to encourage citizen education and critical thinking, in support of human rights, dialogue, mutual understanding and tolerance;
  • Reaffirming the relevance of working to fully achieve the sustainable development goals adopted under the authority of the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda.
 
  1. Call on the international community to cooperate and strengthen efforts to prevent youth radicalization and fight against violent extremism in all its forms;
  2. Encourage all governments to implement measures for preventing radicalization leading to violence and to elaborate national policies or action plans dedicated to this end;
  3. Recommend to question the narratives and ideas on which extremist groups are founded through the development of consistent counternarratives and through inclusive education on information and communications technologies which emphasizes the development of critical thinking, tolerance and respect for human rights;
  4. Encourage all stakeholders to facilitate access and use of the Internet and new communication and information technologies as tools and platforms that help prevent radicalization and violent extremism, condemn violence and hate speech, and promote inclusion, equality and intercultural dialogue;
  5. Invite governments to engage and empower youth to lead new digital projects in favour of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding and to spread the message far and wide;
 
All stakeholders are invited to inspire themselves from this Québec's Call for Action in order to establish an inclusive and conducive environment for ensuring the effective prevention of radicalization and violent extremism.