THE growing influence of violent extremist groups across Southeast Asia, amidst the radicalization of conflict-affected communities, calls for a sustainable, multidimensional, and inclusive counter-terrorism approach that goes beyond the use of force and law enforcement.
Recognizing that civil society organizations have a role to play in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), together with the Asean Society-Philippines (ASP), and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, will be holding the “2017 Asean Conference on Peace and the Prevention of Violent Extremism” on September 22-23 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.
The two-day conference is envisioned to elicit perspectives on the challenges posed by evolving ideology and faith-based radicalization, and the extent of influence of violent extremist groups in the Philippines and the Asean region. The conference aims to enable the exchange of best practices and networking of organizations that focus on PVE and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), allowing these organizations to adapt initiatives that have worked, with the aim of engaging local actors and strengthening their communities’ resiliency.
An estimated 300 participants, consisting of local and international security analysts, peace advocates, civil society, academe, religious leaders, business leaders, political leaders, media, women, and members of the youth are expected to discuss the possible multifaceted approaches to resilient peace-building and the prevention of violent extremist narratives in Asean member states.
Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos together with former Asean Secretary Generals Ambassador Ong Keng-Yong and Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Asean ministers, and leaders from conflict-affected areas of Mindanao are expected to drive the conversations surrounding community resiliency, and also to contribute meaningful insights to the conference discourse.
The conference is in partnership with the Spanish Cooperation Agency for International Development (AECID), the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines (EU), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP), the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the University of the Philippines. (PR)