Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) launched a new awareness initiative entitled “Pillars of Awareness," aimed at enhancing critical thinking skills among youth. The initiative addresses modern intellectual challenges to immunize youth minds against extremist and misleading ideologies. During the workshops, AOCE’s researchers began by providing an overview of AOCE and then addressed various critical intellectual issues. The following are the key issues discussed during the three-day program:
Critical Thinking: Distinguishing Fact from Assumption
AOCE’s researchers provided a conceptual framework for critical thinking, effectively deconstructing the frequent overlap between personal opinion, scientific fact, and preconceived notions.
The Battle for Awareness: Countering Disinformation
AOCE’s researchers reviewed mechanisms for detecting "logical fallacies" prevalent in extremist discourse and biased media, such as "generalization" and "personalization."
The Influence of Cognitive Bias
AOCE’s researchers explored the psychological "traps" of the mind with a focus on "confirmation bias,” —the tendency to favor information that validates existing beliefs. The session analyzed how this phenomenon distorts objective judgment and shapes perceptions of the "other."
At the conclusion of the program, this edition of the "Pillars of Awareness" program is an integral part of AOCE’s awareness-raising role. In addition to its role in monitoring and analyzing extremist groups, AOCE seeks, through these programs, to build an intellectual "bulwark" among young people and equip them with the methodological tools that make them resistant to recruitment, emphasizing that the battle for awareness is the cornerstone of achieving intellectual security and protecting society.
"To participate, please complete the registration form below."
استمارة تسجيل البيانات المطلوبة للمشاركة في برنامج ركائز الوعي والمقرر انعقاده بمرصد الأزهر.