Under the patronage of the President of the University of Mosul, Prof. Dr. Wahid Mahmoud Al-Ibrahimi, and under the supervision of the Director of the Regional Studies Center, Assist. Prof. Dr. Tareq Mohammad Tayeb Al-Qassar, the Regional Studies Center/Continuing Education Unit, in cooperation with the UNESCO Chair and the Department of Studies and Planning/Sustainable Development Unit at the University Presidency, organized a scientific workshop on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, entitled “The Role of Knowledge and Public Policies in Deconstructing Extremist Discourse and Promoting Social Peace.” The event was attended by a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and postgraduate students.

The workshop aimed to highlight the importance of employing sound knowledge and well-grounded public policies to confront extremist narratives, thereby reinforcing the values of tolerance and promoting social peace, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal (4) Quality Education, Goal (10) Reduced Inequalities, Goal (16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, as well as strengthening partnerships to achieve the Goals (17).

The workshop featured two scientific lectures delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Tareq Mohammad Tayeb Al-Qassar, Director of the Center, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Ziyad Abdulwahab Abdullah, Director of the UNESCO Chair at the University of Mosul. The speakers addressed the theoretical frameworks for deconstructing extremist discourse, reviewed mechanisms for building an alternative narrative grounded in critical thinking and a culture of dialogue, and emphasized the need to adopt preventive public policies that promote the values of citizenship and peaceful coexistence.

The workshop concluded with recommendations stressing the importance of activating cooperation between academic institutions and relevant stakeholders to formulate effective knowledge-based policies that contribute to achieving social peace and sustainable development in all its dimensions.