01/08/2023 – 30/08/2023
The Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism Conference was implemented by Shams Al-Anbar Organization for Women and Children, in partnership with World Vision and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the German government. This initiative is part of a broader project aimed at enhancing the capacity of local communities to combat violent extremism in the governorates of Nineveh, Anbar, and Salah al-Din.
General Objectives:
The initiative seeks to enhance communication between community representatives and the Sub-Committee for Countering Violent Extremism, aiming to improve community involvement in addressing violent extremism, increase transparency, and encourage dialogue. Additionally, it strives to increase knowledge of tools and mechanisms based on an understanding of community needs.
Specific Objectives:
Provide a knowledge and practical resource for preventing violent extremism that leads to terrorism.
Create an effective space for community dialogue on issues related to violent extremism and its prevention.
Results:
First Result: A knowledge and practical resource was provided to various social groups in Anbar to prevent violent extremism.
Activities:
First Activity: Meetings were held with mayors in targeted areas to coordinate the implementation of the initiative, enhance the sense of community participation, and identify the causes of extremism, challenges, and possible solutions.
Second Activity: A survey was conducted with 500 participants from 10 areas in Anbar to understand the causes of violent extremism and assess community needs. The survey also included meetings with influential government figures and members of the Sub-Committee for Countering Violent Extremism.
Second Result: The initiative empowered communities to become more effective in reducing violent extremism and hate speech, while promoting community participation through the creation of effective dialogue spaces.
Activities:
A prevention and countering violent extremism conference was organized in the center of Anbar Governorate (Ramadi), with 200 participants from various targeted groups. Teams from UNDP, World Vision, and the Sub-Committee for Countering Violent Extremism also participated.
During the conference, research findings prepared by Shams Al-Anbar Organization were presented, followed by three discussion sessions on the causes, challenges, and solutions to violent extremism. The event received extensive media coverage and was shared on social media platforms.
Project Impact:
The initiative contributed to enhancing the local communities’ ability to face violent extremism, empowering women, youth, and local leaders to participate in meaningful discussions on tangible solutions to this issue. The conference helped build bridges for community dialogue among various stakeholders and strengthened long-term cooperation in countering violent extremism.
