H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, opened a webinar on “The Role of Culture in Preventing Violence and Extremism", held on October 2, 2020 in celebration of the International Day of Non-Violence, and with the participation of H.E. Dr. Imen Houimel, Tunisian Minister of Women, the Family and the Elderly, along with an elite of intellectuals, media professionals, and strategic planning experts in the Arab countries.
In his statement, Dr. Ould Amar indicated that violence is a scourge that crosses all societies and times. He considered that the deteriorating education system in most Arab countries, the declining role of culture, the weakening social ties, and the declining moral values and standards, are objective causes behind the rising violence in Arab societies. He, therefore, underlined the need for a comprehensive review of educational curricula and for the renewal of culture, in light of the current, ever-accelerating regional and global changes and developments.
Dr. Ould Amar stressed that it is the duty of civil society and public opinion makers, including media professionals, thinkers, intellectuals, artists, and preachers, to contribute to finding practical solutions to curb violence and extremism in Arab societies. Combating this scourge, he added, is a responsibility that falls upon the entire international community. He, therefore, called for intensifying research and studies on this scourge and for developing plans to counter it and address its root causes; thereby protecting societies and young generations from falling into the clutches of violence, extremism, and terrorism.
