Religious extremism leading to violence and terrorism is an escalating threat to society and global聽security. Frequently, we hear of Canadian youth involved in terrorist plots and activities in Canada and聽abroad. The radicalization of young men and women socialized in Canada is an ignored problem of great聽risk to the security and peace of Canadian society and the world at large. Since youth spend the majority聽of their time in schools, education's role in the socialization process and in the construction of personal聽and group identities make it a major player in working towards a peaceful and resilient society. This聽study will do pioneering work in linking education to the development of extremist ideologies.
Although all extremists do not become terrorists, all terrorists are extremists. Our聽conceptual framework聽uses the metaphor of a staircase whereby the development of religious extremism passes several聽steps, while very few but increasing numbers of youth reach the top stage of terrorism (Moghaddam, 2005). Using a聽phenomenological research design the aim is to explore the concerns and perspectives of students,聽teachers and parents with regard to religious extremism, the initial step of the staircase. How do teachers聽deal with controversial topics? In general, do students have voice? Do they develop a positive identity or聽do some feel marginalized? Why do a few "tune out" even when they are not marginalized? How do聽parents deal with sudden or gradual changes in their children's attitudes and behaviours? We will discuss聽these questions with all the important players in the education system in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal.
Schools need to work with the community and parents to critically challenge religious聽extremism before beliefs become radicalized. However, once extremist positions have developed,聽countering terrorism is a long-term process that involves deconstructing complex ideologies.
The research team consists of Dr. Ratna Ghosh,聽Dr.聽Anila Asghar, Dr.聽Ingrid Sladeczek, Dr.聽Jocelyn B茅langer, Prof. Daniel聽Cere, Wing Yu Alice Chan, Maihemuti聽Dilimulati,聽and Laura Fontil.聽
Contact:
Ratna Ghosh, CM, OQ, PhD., FRSC
(514) 398-4527 Ext. 094761
Department of Integrated Studies in Education
3700 McTavish, Room 322
苹果淫院
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y2
