UAE lesson on education for peace resonates in Brussels hall
25 May 2025 23:03
By Mohammad Tawhidi*The halls of the European Parliament in Brussels became the stage for an important gathering of global thought-leaders, parliamentarians, ambassadors, religious figures, and scholars on May 20. The event was to discuss "Strategies to Combat Radicalism in the Middle East and Around the Globe Through Education for Tolerance and a Culture of Peace", where voices from across continents made a clear, powerful, and urgent call to action: radicalism can only be defeated by the constructive power of education.The event was marked by a predominant UAE presence and a formidable display of global unity and intellectual leadership. From lawmakers to religious leaders, all were bound by a shared purpose: to chart practical, cross-cultural strategies to counter extremism and promote human fraternity.At the heart of the conference was a consensus: the ideologies fueling global radicalism must be uprooted not only through counterterrorism efforts but through robust, values-driven education systems that elevate human dignity, reject hatred, and instil coexistence.Mohamed Al Sahlawi, Ambassador of the UAE to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, along with TRENDS Research and Advisory, exemplified the UAE's leading role on the global stage in promoting tolerance and combating extremism. Chairman Antonio López-Istúriz White, Member of the European Parliament and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, praised the UAE's leadership, describing it as "a model for bridging civilisations and a true global partner in the war of ideas against radicalism."The UAE delegation also included influential figures such as: Dr. Khalid Al Ghaith, Secretary General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, Ahmed bin Mohammad Al Jarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Dr. Mohammed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory and the think-tank's researchers on education policy Shaikha Al Nuaimi and Elyazia Al Hosani.Dr. Al Ali delivered a critical, data-driven analysis of the ideological ecosystems that empower radical groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, highlighting the urgent need for EU-wide vigilance and transnational research collaboration.The UAE representatives echoed a firm position: tolerance is not a slogan, it must be embedded in education, culture, and diplomacy. The Abrahamic Family House's role in interfaith peacebuilding was cited as a replicable model for regional and international implementation.The proceedings were marked by a refreshing, united consensus among EU leaders and interfaith organisations where speakers emphasised that radicalism is not confined to one region, religion, or demographic. Rather, it is a transnational threat, often incubated by extremist ideologies.There were repeated calls for increased scrutiny of extremist political movements operating within democratic systems. Speakers stressed that groups like the Muslim Brotherhood exploit democratic freedoms to destabilise societies from within.Francisco Gaztelu, Director of the European Commission's Directorate General for MENA, praised the UAE's holistic approach and stressed that a proactive policy must involve disrupting the ideological supply chains that feed terrorism, an area where educational reform is key.Former Romanian President Emil Constantinescu presented the frameworks for national peace curricula and shared measurable outcomes of tolerance-based education initiatives within his country.For their part, interfaith and diplomatic figures added that peace is not solely the responsibility of governments, it must be co-owned by faith leaders, civic institutions, and educators. The policy forum concluded with strong recommendations for institutional commitments, including the formation of an EU–Middle East Education Task Force. This Force can develop and implement peace-oriented educational curricula while recommending the EU for the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist entity, supported by evidence-based reports.The gathering marked a strategic shift and pulsed with a shared understanding. It reflected a collective realisation that the war on terror must evolve into a war on ignorance, hate, and ideological manipulation. The world is no longer content with reactive policies. It demands proactive, preventive, and educational strategies that address radicalism at its roots, before the seeds are even sown.In this mission, the UAE and its international partners, including the European Parliament, TRENDS, the Global Imams Council (GIC), and the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition, have not only risen to the occasion, but are now charting the path forward.If the insight and cooperation witnessed in Brussels are any indication, the seeds for global peace may be sown in the classrooms.
*The writer is a researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory
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