COVID-19 has changed the world and is a health crisis on a scale not seen since the 1918 influenza pandemic. To combat this, declared states of emergency have enabled governments to temporarily limit personal freedoms. However, some have enforced measures that impinge upon citizen rights and reinforce marginalization of minority groups. In fragile and conflict-affected states, COVID-19 is further straining already unequally distributed resources, while travel restrictions hamper service delivery for those in urgent need.
Is the pandemic amplifying an ecosystem that is prime for the manipulation of violent extremist groups to radicalize, recruit, and promote their agendas? This session aims to explore how violent extremism groups have reacted and evolved to the global shock.
