A/HRC/34/35 dialogue and education. These phenomena were also being addressed through social cohesion and integration programmes, national harmony initiatives and police and security responses, often coupled with regular engagement and interaction with religious leaders, local communities and young people, as well as data-gathering and monitoring. 104. OHCHR contributes to the knowledge and awareness of States and civil society organizations on the human rights dimensions of preventing and countering violent extremism, including through the organization of a panel discussion at the Human Rights Council, submitting a thematic report on best practices and lessons learned and providing inputs to a handbook produced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the management of violent extremist prisoners and the prevention of radicalization to violence in prisons.2 105. As stressed by the General Assembly in its resolution 68/127, all Member States should unite against violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations and against sectarian violence. Echoing several of the contributions received from States, it is also critical that effective and principled human rights education campaigns be instituted to prevent and counter violent extremism. Any related activities undertaken or supported by States should be gender-sensitive, inclusive, tailored to the specific local context and based on a climate of trust between the State and those under its jurisdiction. Key concepts related to violent extremism should be clearly defined, particularly when they are likely to trigger measures that may interfere with human rights. In particular, States should respect freedom of opinion and expression and should not criminalize dissent. Adequately conceptualized and transparent programmes aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism have the potential to contribute both to enhanced security and to better protection of human rights. 106. In addition, States should increase awareness and understanding of the phenomenon of youth radicalization and deradicalization, including its gender dimension, and make sure that such information is easily available, widely disseminated and used by young people and youth stakeholders to develop and improve local policies. Youth stakeholders should be empowered to amplify counter messaging. Awareness-raising, education and training 107. Religious intolerance, stigmatization, negative stereotyping and discrimination are addressed through educational measures, curriculum reform, strategic plans and public information and media campaigns, including online platforms of exchange, networking and engagement on the various issues relating to freedom of religion or belief and non-discrimination. Educational programmes and curricula that inculcate freedom of religion or belief and minority rights could assist in implementing the action plan. 108. There is a need to galvanize world opinion against discrimination on the basis of ethnic or religious background and to generalize and disseminate the understanding that such attitudes are a fundamental attack on the equality and dignity of all human beings. The United Nations recently launched the global “Together” campaign, which is an initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life. That campaign could also be used as a means to address issues of religious intolerance, which all too often are interrelated with discrimination against refugees and migrants who face multiple forms of discrimination. 109. States are encouraged to consider educational reform that provides for inclusion and recognition of all constituent parts of a society. 110. There is a need to communicate widely and in a simple manner the practical elements of the action plan and the relevant actions of Member States to implement it, 2 14 Available from www.unodc.org/pdf/criminal_justice/Handbook_on_VEPs.pdf.