This closed expert event is organised in collaboration with the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Human Securiy Collective, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS) in Cairo and the Strategic and Political Research Centre of the Salahadeen University (SPRC) in Erbil.

If you are interested in joining this event, please send an email to events@clingendael.org

Combatting violent extremism with a human security approach in Palestine, Egypt and Iraq

Violent extremism (VE) has evolved into a transnational threat, impacting the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond. An inclusive and comprehensive human security approach can alleviate, contain and prevent VE, but is failing to be implemented due to the trust deficit between communities and the security sector as well as the shrinking of civic space, often due to counterterrorism (CT) measures.

Iraq, Egypt and Palestine together present a complementary picture given there are significant differences in terms of push/pull factors leading to VE, civic space, trust levels between government and citizens, and the roles and position of women as change agents. The role of context in an HS-approach is thus amplified. Over the last three years our research has validated the push/pull factors and demonstrated the efficacy of an HS-approach in preventing VE through engaging local communities. It has involved learning exchange and development at the local level, and connected the community with (inter)national security stakeholders relevant to countering violent extremism.

The event aims to bring together approximately 35 experts from the consortium, stakeholders from national/international policymaking, and representatives from academia and non-governmental organizations with the aim of sharing and discussing outcomes research findings as well as the policy recommendations.