The process of developing the National Strategy is occurring in a critical and complex local, regional and global context that is threatening socio-economic growth and stability at national and global levels as well as diversifying forms of inequalities which increase the incidence of acts of violence resulting from a climate of violent extremism. It also comes at a time of social transformation in which the country needs to support and consolidate trust among its various components and institutions. This trust is the cornerstone that would allow the country to overcome all economic, social and security challenges and to build a safe, knowledge-based society, thereby preventing the growth of the seeds of extremism in all its forms. Thus, the Strategy is based on the following:
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The Strategy provides the national objectives, policies and plans to prevent violent extremism in the short-, medium- and long-term, while defining monitoring and evaluation systems.
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The Strategy addresses structural factors at the community, cultural and economic levels, which are the driving force behind the growth of violent extremism. Therefore, problems such as poverty, unemployment, and the feeling of inequality and absence of justice are elements that shall be integrated into the strategy.
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The Strategy stems from the realization of the complex nature of the issue of violent extremism by taking into consideration the overlap, multiplicity and intertwinement of elements and circumstances, as well as the multiplicity of actors and the diversity of their roles.
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The Strategy takes into account the various levels that threatened by violent extremism, i.e. the individual, family and community.
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The Strategy draws upon the universal theoretical contributions of international organizations, and upon the strategies for preventing violent extremism adopted by other states, as well as relevant experiences and practices.
Thus, addressing the problem of violent extremism cannot be achieved by focusing on one or a number of elements separately and independently of each other. It should also be based on the study of the cultural, developmental, demographic, social, administrative and economic realities of Lebanese society. Such a study helps identify the elements that influence violent extremism and their interactions with a view to developing national policies and programs based on scientific evidence.