WANA Hosts Thought-Provoking Conference on Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism
On November 16 and 17, the WANA Institute hosted a Euro-regional conference to discuss the effective advancement of countering and preventing violent extremism (CPVE) programming in the West Asia-North Africa region and Europe. The conference, which brought together 146 high-level academics, development practitioners, civil society leaders from across the region and Europe, provided a platform to discuss both opportunities and challenges, and to share lessons learned from promising CPVE initiatives. The first day’s discussion concentrated on radicalisation pathways, exploring both traditional ‘push and pull’ factors as well as the role of scantly understood drivers, such as psychological and identity factors. The second day drew on the experiences of practitioners to bridge gaps in the discourse, particularly between extremism, radicalisation and terrorism; and between community-driven and security-centric approaches. Break-out sessions allowed space for focused discussions, including on mothers against radicalisation, media in PVE, the role of religion and educational institutions in radicalisation.
This conference was made possible by funding from the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
Conference Agenda
Towards More Constructive Approaches to Countering Violent Extremism: Lessons, Evidence and Innovation from Europe and the WANA Region
Organised by: The West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute
Date: Wednesday, 16th November – Thursday, 17th November 2016
Location: Grand Hyatt Amman, Jordan
The resilience of Daesh in Syria and Iraq against broad-scale military intervention, coupled with the continuing spread of radical ideology constitutes the greatest threat to peace and security in the West Asia-North Africa region, and beyond. The group’s non-standard aims combined with the difficulty of addressing the causative factors fueling the violence have limited the effectiveness of coalition efforts and counter-measures. This emerging challenge requires a new conceptualisation of Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism (CPVE) specifically an expansion in scope to address the social, psychological, and cultural drivers of extremism in local communities.
In response, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute is organising a Euro-regional conference to encourage innovative and evidence-based thinking on how to more effectively advance CPVE programs in the WANA region and Europe. It will bring together 75 policy makers, renowned academics and practitioners from both regions to discuss both opportunities and challenges, and to share lessons learned from promising CPVE initiatives.
The first day’s discussion will concentrate on radicalisation pathways. It will explore both traditional ‘push and pull’ factors as well as the role of scantly understood drivers, such as psychological and identity factors. The discussion will also solicit opinions on how a better understanding of these factors might assist in dealing with the challenge of reintegrating returnees. The second day will draw on the experiences of practitioners both local and state level engaged in high-potential CPVE interventions. The objective is to inspire innovative and evidence-based thinking around CPVE strategies, and to bridge gaps in the discourse, particularly between extremism, radicalisation and terrorism; and between community-driven and security-centric approaches. Overall, the event will provide a platform for creative knowledge sharing to expand PVE thinking beyond traditional military and security objectives. This conference was made possible by funding from the Robert Bosch Stiftung
Conference Agenda
Day One, November 16: Understanding Violent Extremism
Registration and coffee followed by welcome speech by Dr Erica Harper, WANA Institute Executive Director and
Keynote Speaker His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal
Panel 1: Limitations of the Military Approach: The Continuing Growth of Violent Extremism in West Asia–North Africa
This panel will address whether continued military action against Daesh is likely to succeed in containing the spread of violent extremism in the WANA region, particularly while the push and pull factors driving extremist ideology and violent extremist groups remain unaddressed.
• Recruitment patterns and radicalisation pathways;
• The political challenges of rehabilitating and reintegrating returnees;
• The challenges contributing to the radicalisation of youth in the region.
Chair: Mr Hasan Abu Hanieh (Expert on Radicalisation and Islamic Movements)
Speakers:
. Dr Ibrahim Fraihat (Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies)
. Dr Abdel Rahman al-Hajj (Political Analyst, Former member of Syrian National Council)
. Dr Neven Bondokji (Senior Research Fellow, WANA Institute)
Panel 2: The Paradoxes of European Foreign Fighters
This panel seeks to comparatively analyse radicalisation dynamics and isolate trends between Europe and the WANA region.
• The radicalisation process of European youth, including the patterns and prototypes of European foreign fighters;
• Gender variations in the push and pull factors impacting youth decision-making;
• The profiles of European returnees and state experiences with reintegration.
Chair: John van der Zande (Regional Counter-Terrorism Coordinator on Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Speakers:
. Ms Julia Reinelt (German Violence Prevention Network)
. Ms Louisa Tarras-Wahlberg (Säkerhetstanken)
. Dr Bibi van Ginkel (International Centre for Counter-Terrorism)
Panel 3: Identity Crisis, Status and Purpose: The Psychological and Ideological Drivers of Radicalisation
Drawing on testimonies of former fighters, this session discusses how factors pertaining to identity, status, and self-worth influence an individual’s decision to join violent extremist groups.
• How psychological and cultural factors can lead individuals to re-orient their world view and gain a sense of purpose through radicalisation;
• The potential of involving returnees in CVE/PVE initiatives.
Chair: Mr Rupert Davis (Chief Operating Officer of Mayday Rescue)
Speakers:
. Prof. Anne Speckhard (International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism; Georgetown University)
. Mr Ardian Shajkovoci (International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism/ Kosovo specialist)
Session Wrap up by Dr Gilbert Ramsay (University of St Andrews)
Day Two, November 17: Innovation and Lessons Learned in Preventing Violent Extremism
Panel 4: Police, Rehabilitation Programs and Fathers: Lessons from Influential Actors
This session aims to inspire CVE/PVE strategy development by critically examining three unique approaches. It seeks to elicit enabling factors and lessons for practitioners in Europe and the WANA region.
• The Aarhus project in Denmark, an initiative by local police officers working to deter youth from joining extremist groups;
• Working with fathers against extremism;
• Evaluation and lessons learned from the Munasaha Programme in Saudi Arabia.
Chair: Mr Khalid Saleem (Regional Project Director, North Africa, AKTIS)
Speakers:
. Detective Thorleif Link (Danish Police Force)
. Prof. Ulrich Kropiunigg (Women Without Borders)
. Colonel Walid al-Madi (Mohammed Bin Naif Counseling and Care Center)
Breakout Sessions: Emerging Successes and New Approaches
Session A: Mothers Against Radicalisation
Recent research has highlighted the pivotal role of mothers in reversing the radicalisation process of individuals before they make the decision to join violent extremist groups, and influencing the decision of foreign fighters to return home.
• The potential of mothers as influential actors in countering-violent radicalisation;
• Examples from Europe and Jordan of PVE initiatives involving mothers.
Chair: Ms Malin Herwig (Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding, Programme Advisor for Arab States Regional Hub, United Nations Development Programme)
Speakers:
. Ms Sajda Mughal OBE (JAN Trust)
. Dr Edit Schlaffer (Women Without Borders)
. Ms Lana Kraishan (Al Anwar Charity Organisation)
Session B: The Creative Space of Media in PVE
Unlike most CVE/PVE research on the role of social media, this session examines how entertainment media and other non-traditional media tools can provide an innovative and acceptable tool for disseminating radicalisation counter-messages.
Chair: Ms Noor Mo’alla (Senior Associate at Albany Associates International)
Speakers:
. Dr Gilbert Ramsay (University of St Andrews)
. Mr Ross Frenett (Moonshot CVE)
Breakout sessions : Tricky Options and Uneasy Solutions
Session A: The Role of Educational Institutions in Radicalisation
The session examines the on-role of educational institutions in CVE/PVE and discusses the extent to which and how educational content prevents and/or contributes to radicalisation. The session also addresses educational content and how it can best be reformed to address radicalisation pull factors.
• The role of educational institutions in CVE/PVE and related challenges;
• Reshaping the curriculum content to advocate radicalisation counter narratives.
Chair: Mr Mohammed Hussainy (Director of Identity Centre)
Speakers:
. Dr Dhougan Obeidat (Education Expert)
. Dr Wafa Al Khadra (School of Languages and Communication at American University of Madaba)
Session B: The Role of Religion in PVE
This session explores the role of religion in the design and implementation of PVE initiatives. It examines the latest thinking on using religious narratives in countering extremism, and highlights the challenges of introducing innovation in the public debate on the interpretations of religious texts and narratives.
• Counter narratives in the public domain;
• Youth activism and critical thinking regarding religious texts.
Chair: Dr Neven Bondokji (Senior Research Fellow at the WANA Institute)
Speakers:
. Dr Amer al-Hafi (Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies)
. Mr Hussein Itany (Adyan Foundation)
Breaking Down Silos: Creative Interdisciplinary Response
This concluding session seeks to elicit the common themes and key messages shared during previous sessions.
• The potential of and challenges associated with interdisciplinary approaches to CVE/PVE i.e. bridging terrorism studies, identity research and political sociology;
• How future PVE can build on available best practices in Europe and WANA region;
• The value of transcending the traditional security approach towards a more culturally and sociologically nuanced understanding of CVE.
Chair: Mr Dominic Graham (Syria Response Director at Mercy Corps)
Speakers:
. Mr Peter Harling (Synaps)
. Dr Mohammad Abu Rumman (Centre for Strategic Studies)
Concluding Remarks by Dr Erica Harper (WANA Institute)
Countering Violent Extremism Project Information
Goal: The development of an empirically-driven and region-specific evidence base on the drivers of violent radicalisation, and a theory of change within which to develop more effective human security and counter-extremism approaches.
Duration: February 2016 – August 2019.
Situation Analysis: The resilience of Daesh in Syria and Iraq against broad-scale military intervention, coupled with the continuing spread of radical ideology constitutes a grave threat to the WANA region, and beyond. The group’s non-standard aims coupled with the difficulty of addressing the causative factors fueling the violence has limited the effectiveness of coalition efforts and counter-measures. Historically moderate Jordan has one of the largest contingents of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, and its citizens form part of a growing constituency for radical ideologues. Understanding the growth of, and the drivers behind, such radical groups is imperative for policy-makers, programming agencies and donor governments. This emerging challenge requires a new conceptualisation of Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism (CPVE) specifically expanded in scope to address the social, psychological, and cultural drivers of extremism in local communities.
Project Outline
The WANA Institute’s CPVE work aims to bridge this knowledge gap by analysing individual motivations and contextual drivers of the increase in violent radicalism, and identifying the ‘pull factors’ facilitating violent radicalisation. The project has a specific focus on gender variations in radicalisation processes, and differences within vulnerable group sets, including refugees and youth. This knowledge base will be consolidated through a curriculum review, media analysis, and workshops with youth, religious leaders and civil society. Alongside this, an audit and analysis of human security programming spanning Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt will be conducted, specifically examining how the emerging threat of extremism has impacted the scope for and effectiveness of community-based security programming. The broader aim is to develop an evidence base to inform policy tools specific to the WANA region, and human security approaches that can better align with and contribute to counter-extremism interventions.
Defining Violent Extremism
For the purposes of this project, radicalisation will be defined as “a process of personal transformation that an individual goes through in response to contextual grievances. This transformation is marked by a personal crisis in search for role and meaning that eventually leads an individual to support the use of violence against state actors and civilians to bring about an ideologically-defined social and political order.”
Project Activities
Objectives
• Interdisciplinary desk review identifying radicalisation drivers drawing from English and Arabic sources;
• Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with radicalisation experts, tribal leaders, civil society activists, youth, refugees and female preachers;
• Interdisciplinary desk review examining Social Identity Theory and its links to radicalisation processes;
• Expert consultant report on the psychological underpinnings of radicalisation and programmatic responses;
• ‘Journey Mapping’ of Jordanian foreign fighters;
• Media analysis on radicalisation narratives and counter-narratives;
• Education curriculum review;
• 2-day conference for CPVE practitioners, policy makers and local actors;
• Conflict tracking system recording local level disputes in 18 target communities over a period of 12 months;
• 4 capacity building Policy Labs.
• Reliable data on drivers of violent extremism and radicalisation pathways improve local responses to radicalisation on the community level;
• Field research findings inform evidence-based policy-making, planning and programming;
• Regional data sets construct a theory of change on the nexus between CVE and human security programming;
• Policy recommendations influence national policy making and international, regional and local programing.