Module 2

Conditions Conducive to the Spread of Terrorism

 Module Overview
• A central objective of any counter-terrorism strategy is to prevent terrorist acts from occurring.
This is true of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy 2006 (United Nations CT
Strategy) and its annexed Plan of Action (General Assembly resolution 60/288).

• This module is framed around the United Nations CT Strategy and its four Pillars. Of
particular relevance is Pillar I, “addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of
terrorism”, and Pillar IV, “Ensuring Human Rights and the Rule of Law”.

• Prevention is an overarching theme which will be explored further in the remaining modules.
 Learning Outcomes
• Understand the “conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism”, focusing especially on
preventing and countering violent extremism (PVE/CVE). 

• Identify and explain challenges associated with current PVE/CVE efforts.

• Examine and compare PVE/CVE approaches, including national, regional, and United Nations
models.

• Consider some of the principal drivers of violent extremism, together with current initiatives
in response to them.

• Examine the relationship between “conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism” and
adherence to/violations of the rule of law.

• Identify and analyse some interdisciplinary perspectives on PVE/CVE issues.

 Module 2 Outline

• “Radicalization” and “violent extremism”

• Preventing and countering violent extremism
• Drivers of violent extremism
• International approaches to countering violent extremism
• Regional and multilateral approaches to preventing and countering violent extremism