CERP Organizes Scientific Conference on Citizenship Education and the Fight Against Extremism and Hate Speech
As part of its regular intellectual and public awareness activities, and within the framework of its monthly programme “Debates on Education in Mauritania,” the Centre for Educational Studies and Research (CERP) organized a new scientific conference on the evening of Saturday, 27 June 2026, at the conference hall of the Tevragh-Zeina Municipality. The event was held under the theme:
“Citizenship Education: The Role of the Family and the School in Preventing Extremism and Combating Hate Speech,”
in partnership with the National Federation of Parents’ Associations and the Municipality of Tevragh-Zeina.
The conference opened with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Mohamed Yahya Ould Sidi Ahmed, before a large audience comprising teachers, researchers, academics, education professionals, and stakeholders from across the country’s education sector.
The opening ceremony featured a series of institutional addresses. Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ahmed Ramdane, Deputy Mayor of Tevragh-Zeina Municipality, welcomed participants and praised the strong partnership established with CERP. He was followed by Dr. Ba Hamay Hussein, Vice-President of CERP. Ms. Aziza Bint Ahmed Issa, President of the National Federation of Parents’ Associations at the district level, highlighted the essential role of families in supporting the education system and contributing to improved educational outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of the President of CERP, Dr. El Mokhtar Henda, Vice-President Dr. Ba Hamay Hussein outlined several key strategic messages.
He first emphasized the relevance of the conference theme, noting that it comes at a time when Mauritania is witnessing an expanding national debate on strengthening a shared national identity, reinforcing national unity, and renewing the country’s social contract based on the values of Islam and the richness of its cultural diversity.
He also stressed that effective prevention of extremism and the fight against hate speech require a genuine and integrated partnership between the family—the child’s first educational environment—and the school, the institution responsible for shaping individuals and nurturing responsible citizenship.
The Vice-President further recalled that CERP was established as an independent scientific platform dedicated to contributing to educational reform, viewed as a shared national responsibility. He underlined that the Centre’s mission is fully aligned with the national reform agenda launched by His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who has made education reform and the development of the Republican School a top national priority.
Finally, he emphasized the practical dimension of the conference, explaining that its objective extends beyond analysing existing challenges to producing concrete recommendations and actionable proposals aimed at promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and the rejection of hate speech among younger generations.
Following the opening ceremony, the scientific session was chaired by Dr. Mohamed El Hafez Mohamed El Feth. The keynote lecture was delivered by Ms. Oum El Kheiriya Youssef, Adviser at the Centre for the Promotion of Women and Children, who presented strategies for protecting young people from extremist ideologies and highlighted the complementary roles of families and schools in this effort. Her presentation was followed by a scientific discussion introduced by the conference rapporteur, Dr. Fatima Ihda.
The event concluded with an open discussion involving participants and researchers, whose contributions enriched the debate and deepened reflection on the issues addressed during the conference. At the close of the event, participants received copies of the journal “Debates on Education in Mauritania” along with an evaluation questionnaire designed to gather feedback and support the continuous improvement of future editions of the conference series.