PVE Monthly Highlights - September 2022
Please also find the highlights attached in a handy PDF format, for ease of access and dissemination. The PDF file includes a monthly special issue that will spotlight a new PVE project each month. For the September issue, discover the activities of UNDP Tanzania to prevent violent extremism and sustain peace in the country!
Global Highlights
- On 13th September, the PVE HQ team hosted a virtual knowledge exchange session on the Return & Reintegration of Former Foreign Fighters for UNDP Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on the experiences of UNDP Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and Sudan in supporting their governments’ design and effectively run returnee centres. The sharing session brought forth several lessons learned and best practices including the importance of partnering with CSOs for community-based reconciliation and reintegration through peace education, sports, and skills development; how to address stigmatization in the communities of origin; and the importance of coupling MHPSS with livelihood support for returnees. The significance of a ‘whole-of-society’ approach was recognized as being central to sustainable processes.
- Is your CO interested in taking part in similar exchange sessions to learn from others and enhance your programmes? Contact [email protected].
- On 14th September, the Core Government Functions and Local Governance (CGF&LG) and PVE HQ Teams organized a Workshop on Governance Grievances as Key Drivers of Violent Extremism. As a follow-up to a preliminary survey report on this topic and draft case studies developed through interviews with three COs (Pakistan, Somalia, and Uzbekistan) the consultative workshop forms the basis of a knowledge product that will highlight the importance and impacts of governance grievances on violent extremism, as well as actions and best practices to address the issues.
- “In a world of growing polarization and shared uncertainties, what future can we envision for PVE programming?” This the question around which revolved the internal session “Let’s Talk…PVE” held on 21 September, in occasion of the International Day of Peace. The recordings of this and previous sessions tackling IDPs, HDP Nexus, Resilience, Prevention are available at: SparkBlue_Let’s Talk Series (for UNDP users only)
Regional Highlights
- UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub commissioned a Digital Ecosystem Mapping of violent extremism in Southeast Asia. The digital risk consultancy SecDev conducted the analysis, seeking to gain an understanding of perceptions, misconceptions, and barriers related to violent extremism in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The study focused on issues affecting youth and marginalized populations and the emerging online narratives.
Key takeaways include:
- The study results allowed UNDP to narrow down specific areas for further consideration based on country sensitivities and programming capacities.
- A common trend and potential area of work is the need of addressing the issue of digital citizenship in relation to violent extremism and hate speech online.
- Findings from the Digital Ecosystem Mapping helped to identify relevant themes for the #ExtremeLives campaign, focusing on alternative narratives for youth.
- Using innovative methods, the scoping study also helps set a direction for further evidence-based programming. The study has been useful to partners to understand the climate and identify areas to carry forward further research work.
- Ahead of the launch of the global Journey to Extremism report at the end of this year, the regional PVE team in RBA and RBAS launched the second episode of the podcast spin-off series #ExploringExtremism with the Oslo Governance Centre. The limited podcast series is zooming in on specific thematic areas emanating from the study and its unprecedented evidence base of more than 2000 individuals across 8 African countries. This episode: ’Drugs, Violence and Extremism: The Unexplored Connection’, investigates the evolution of drugs within violent extremist groups, while unpacking unexplored gender aspects. It also explores drugs as a pathway for financing insurgent activity in ungoverned spaces, and in contexts of corruption.
- Listen to the episode on UNDP PVE Portal or on Spotify. Further details are captured in this blog post.
Country Highlights
- At a roundtable discussion held in Bishkek, organized by UNDP Kyrgyzstan, participants discussed the preliminary results of a sociological study on the impact of the "Kyrgyz Jarany" concept (equal to tolerance and ethnic diversity) on interethnic and religious relations, aimed at identifying sensitive issues in the implementation of the "Kyrgyz Jarany" concept for the Development of a Common Civil Identity.
- In support of efforts to end protracted displacement through proactive measures to facilitate access to durable solutions, UNDP Iraq is working with IOM and the Government of Iraq to support the return and reintegration of displaced Iraqi families with perceived affiliation to ISIL, including those returning from Al Hol Camp in North-east Syria. On 27 August 2022, more than 65 participants – including community and tribal leaders and local authorities from Salah al Din and the surrounding Baghdad area took part in a workshop organized by UNDP and IOM Iraq, in partnership with the Office of the National Security Advisory.
- This September, UNDP Kazakhstan carried out several activities to improve the capacities of parents to deal with at-risk youth, as well as to develop the emotional intelligence of employees of social and psychological providers of the Ulytau region, in order to improve their interaction with vulnerable youths. Participants were introduced to innovative methods and techniques for effective non-violent communication. The initiatives were organized under the EU-funded STRIVE Asia programme and the EU-UN global framework.
- With the support of UNDP Trinidad and Tobago, a new Learning Centre was opened at the girls' wing of the Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (YTRC), dedicated to girls' education. 37 Prison Officers and three Child Probation Officers graduated from a Youth Mentorship and Motivation Training Program that UNDP co-hosted with the Prison Service. The training prepared prison officers to mentor youths and transform at-risk youth into role models and agents of change. This is an important first step in towards building out a full academic and vocational programme, placing the girls on a positive life pathway. This project has set a standard in the region for what rehabilitation is all about.
- Special Issue of the Month: Spotlight on UNDP Tanzania's PVE project. Click on the PDF to know more!
Disclaimer: the updates do not constitute an exhaustive list of monthly activities, rather only a selection of brief highlights that we are able to collect thanks to Country Office support.
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