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Whole-of-Society-Approach to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism in Georgia

Description

The seminar is organised by the Transnational Threats Department (TNT), in consultation with the host country and in close co-operation with relevant OSCE executive structures, in particular the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and relevant field operations (FOs) that can showcase useful examples for the host country.

Summary

The purpose of this event is to promote the development and implementation of effective, human rights-compliant and gender-sensitive strategies and policies to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT). This will be done by facilitating the exchange of lessons learned and good practices and encouraging the adoption, review and implementation of a national action plan on P/CVERLT, in line with international good practices.

The National Seminar aims to inform policy and support the drafting process of a national action plan on P/CVERLT in Georgia as led by the Georgian government. In addition to relevant security sector actors, participation of individuals or organizations with established implementation, advocacy and/or outreach capacity is encouraged, as well as ombudsperson offices and participation from health, education and department of culture. The proposed event will contribute to TNTD’s objective of assisting participating States to address the multi-faceted and evolving terrorist threat, in line with the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism.

Background and Rationale

The OSCE Ministerial Council Declaration No.4/15 on preventing and countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism (VERLT), calls upon the participating States; “To further increase their efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism in their countries, following a multi-dimensional approach, and in this regard to make use, as appropriate and where necessary, of the OSCE executive structures, including field operations within their respective mandates;”

The OSCE has organised National Seminars on P/CVERLT since 2012 in more than a dozen participating States, involving government officials and experts with the policy formulation/decision making capacity necessary to influence national policies and practices. Public authorities at national and local levels must be involved in order to build and draw on strong partnerships with civil society, the media and the private sector in order to successfully address causes and drivers of VERLT. Non-governmental organizations continue to play an important role in efforts to prevent terrorist radicalization at local and national levels and in preventing and mitigating violent extremism from transpiring.

The National Seminars on P/CVERLT contribute to the OSCE efforts to support the UN Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism. They stress the importance of governments working together with civil society and local communities to find local solutions rooted in international human rights to prevent the emergence of violent extremism as well as to protect communities from terrorist recruitment and the threat of violent extremism. The OSCE-supported National Seminars on Whole-of-Society-Approaches to P/CVERLT help authorities and civil society actors explore opportunities for collaboration in each national context with the support of international experts.

Modalities

The event will be held in Tbilisi as a 2-day seminar with active participation under the Chatham House Rule. The OSCE can offer to bring a team of international experts and practitioners with vast experience from other participating States to present and lead discussions on issues including, but not limited to, youth engagement, gender awareness, community policing and early warning mechanisms.

The government should ensure participation of up to 50 persons from relevant stakeholders, including civil society, local police, relevant ministries/departments, educators, social workers, journalists and academics. The participants should be diverse in age, gender, ethnicity and geographical origin.

It is recommended that a policy paper with recommendations to inform the drafting or implementation process of the national action plan should be produced by the government post-event. The OSCE stands ready to support and review the drafting process of this and the national action plan at any stage of the process.