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BehavioraI Insights Academy

The Behavioural Insights Academy (BI Academy) is the flagship training programme of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) International Hub on Behavioural Insights to Counter-Terrorism (BI Hub) in Doha, Qatar. It aims to equip individuals with the skills needed to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism (PCVE) in their communities, using the power of behavioral insights. 

Unlocking the Power of Behavioral Insights for CT/PCVE

The potential benefits of leveraging behavioral insights for countering terrorism and PCVE are considerable. It allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the drivers of violent extremism, examining the cognitive processes, social dynamics, and contextual factors that influence individual decisions and actions. 

Equipped with this knowledge, the BI Academy enables participants to develop innovative, evidence-based interventions that target the root causes of extremism more effectively. Beyond just a training programme, the BI Academy pioneers policies and programming guided by behavioral science, in line with the 2021 Guidance Note on Behavioural Science by the United Nations Secretary-General and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. 

Why BI Academy?

The BI Academy was established to harness the potential of behavioral insights to provide new explanations and solutions in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). 

  • Behavioral insights offer a complementary perspective to traditional approaches by examining the underlying psychological and social factors that influence decision-making and action. By integrating behavioral insights into PCVE/CT efforts, the BI Academy addresses the need to expand understanding of human behavior beyond ideology-based approaches to tackle the multifaceted nature of violent extremism.
  • The field of behavioral insights represents an emerging scientific discipline that draws upon insights from behavioral economics, social psychology, and cognitive science. It offers a wealth of knowledge, tools and methodologies that can be leveraged to better understand drivers of human behavior in the context of violent extremism. The BI Academy serves as a platform to equip participants with the latest advancements in this field, enabling them to apply behavioral insights holistically in their work.
  • The 缅北禁地Secretary-General's 2021 Guidance Note on Behavioral Insights underscores the significance of incorporating behavioral insights into policy and programmatic approaches. By aligning with this guidance, the BI Academy positions itself as a critical initiative within the broader 缅北禁地framework for preventing and countering violent extremism.

BI Academy 2024 

UNOCT will soon start accepting applications for its 2024 edition of the BI Academy. Please check this website regularly for updates and to the background information below.

The BI Academy curriculum is led by world-renowned experts in applied Behavioral Insights and entails three specialized modules, tailored to address the complex facets of extremism. 

  1. Main Module is designed for 36 participants and provides a well-rounded understanding of human behavior, decision-making processes, and societal influences. The Main Module serves as the foundation of the BI Academy, retaining the core curriculum from the 2023 edition. It delves deep into three pivotal dimensions within the field of behavioral insights: Mental Health, Social Psychology, and Behavioral Economics. 
  2. Behavioral Analysis Module tailored for 12 security sector experts keen on perfecting their skills in behavioral analysis. This specialized module was developed in response to the increasing demand and specific needs within Member States' security sectors and focuses on advanced behavioral analysis techniques. Participants will gain insights and tools to decipher behavioral patterns, enhancing the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts. 
  3. Prevention and Diplomacy Module for groups of 12 diplomats and individuals actively involved in dialogues with violent groups. This module combines expertise from the fields of PCVE and diplomacy, empowering participants with nuanced strategies to prevent violent extremism and foster diplomatic resolutions.  It was developed in collaboration with external training providers like the Qatar Diplomatic Academy, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). 

The 2024 BI Academy will offer an immersive learning experience through simultaneous sessions conducted in the same location. This unique setup allows participants to engage in shared classes and discussions that are relevant to all BI Academy attendees, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and encouraging diverse perspectives.

By bringing together professionals from various backgrounds, these sessions will promote interdisciplinary collaboration, augmenting participants' expertise in behavioral insights, security analysis, and diplomatic strategies.

The BI Academy programme is open to 缅北禁地entities, Member States, and civil society organizations at the global regional and local levels. We seek participants who hold positions of seniority in their workplaces, with the ability to influence programme or policy decisions.

Participants should also have a good understanding of the implementation level of the projects and be open to challenging assumptions in their work.

Prospective candidates will participate in a five-day in-person training course in Doha and need to commit to a minimum of one full day per month for follow up activities over the following six months.

All travel-related expenses, including flight tickets and accommodation, will be covered by the organizers of the BI Academy. Participants traveling to Qatar may require a visa to enter the country. For detailed information on Qatar's visa requirements and processing timelines, kindly visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. The BI Hub will provide the necessary letters and notes to support participants with their visa application.

All selected candidates will receive a detailed logistical note providing necessary logistics and relevant information for their travel and stay during the BI Academy.

Are you interested in attending the BI Academy and using behavioral insights to make a tangible impact in preventing and countering violent extremism? Apply to join the UNOCT Behavioural Insights Academy!

The application process for BI Academy 2024 will open in the second quarter of 2024. Detailed information and guidelines will be available on this website. 

Prospective candidates should submit their application and choose one of the three specialized modules: the Main Module, the Behavioral Analysis Module, or the Preventive Diplomacy Module.

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Partners

The BI Academy 2023, in its first edition, was hosted in May by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). We extend our gratitude to HBKU for their support. 

For the 2024 edition of Bi Academy, UNOCT is proud to partner with the to ensure robust participation from African countries. 

Contact us

Click here  to access the "Contact Us" questionnaire. We appreciate your participation and thank you for your valuable input. 

Inaugural 2023 BI Academy

The first edition of the BI Academy took place in 2023 and brought together participants from 22 countries, working in a variety of fields, such as rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorist fighters, resilience building,  Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, communications, conflict resolution. Their perspectives and insights into preventing and countering violent extremism, social inclusion, peacebuilding, and community development contributed to enrich the curriculum and created a vibrant learning community within the BI Academy.

During the 5-day inaugural course, led by renowned experts, participants learned how to lead their organizations in adopting behavioural insights at the core of their programmatic work. The course was followed by a “support phase” during which experts provided guidance and mentorship to participants in developing behavioural solutions to PCVE-related challenges. In the concluding “launch phase”, participants leverage their respective projects to further institutionalize behavioural capacity within their professional context and in their respective fields of work.

The evaluation and feedback surveys conducted among participants of the 2023 inaugural BI Academy revealed significant improvements in participants' confidence levels and skills in applying behavioral insights in countering terrorism (CT) and PCVE work. 

In preparation for the 2024 edition of the BI Academy, UNOCT has advanced its curriculum and is launching a dedicated web platform to enhance the learning experience.