On September 28, 2015, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) co-hosted the Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism in New York City with support from the White House and U.S. State Department. The Summit brought together 100 youth activists, government officials, and private sector experts from dozens of countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan to engage over new ideas on how to best build resilience against extremism.
The Summit included a Youth CVE Marketplace to showcase innovative CVE work being done by young people around the world as well as the announcement of the Global Youth Action Agenda to Prevent Violent Extremism and Promote Peace, which was presented to President Obama at the U.N. Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism on September 29. Microsoft and Facebook also led breakout discussions on improving youth employment prospects and using technology to counter online radicalization.
The Summit’s success reflects a key CEP goal—the recognition that youth, with government and private sector support, must play an important role in responding to the growing threat of extremism.
Reports & Publications
Department of State & USAID Joint Strategy on
Countering Violent Extremism
In May 2016, the U.S. State Department and USAID released their first ever joint strategy on countering violent extremism (CVE). The strategy provides a roadmap for mobilizing the United States’ diplomatic and development tools for CVE. A key means of achieving the overall strategic objectives will be to empower and engage with youth:
“State and USAID will expand and enhance programs targeting youth who are identified to be at high risk of radicalization and recruitment to violent extremism. State and USAID will support programs that build a sense of belonging, community and purpose. USAID will design programs to support youth empowerment, nurture networks, skills development, and civic and economic opportunities. State and USAID also will support programs that train and mobilize youth to serve as leaders in their communities and globally in the work of CVE.” (pg. 10)
Carrying forth the work of the White House CVE Summit agenda, the new USAID-State Department strategy coupled with their previous support for CEP’s Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism in September 2015 demonstrates their continued commitment to youth.
Participating Organizations
Photo Gallery
Youth Participant Profiles
Achaleke Christian Leke, Cameroon
Achaleke Christian Leke is a youth civil society
activist from Cameroon and serves as the National Coordinator of Local Youth Corner Cameroon.
Adam Matan, UK & Somalia
Adam Matan is the Managing Director of the
Anti-Tribalism Movement, an organization that seeks to combat prejudice, tribalism and violence around
the world.
Ahmed Hadji, Uganda
Ahmed Hadji is a team leader at the Uganda Muslim Youth
Development Forum, a faith and youth development organization that works to promote peace and justice.
Daouda Zalle, Burkina Faso
Daouda Zalle is a freelance film producer who trains young
people to use basic film equipment to produce films on issues related to violent extremism.
Ilwad Elman, Somalia
Ilwad Elman is a social activist and serves as the Director of
Programs and Development at the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in Mogadishu.
Salif Romano Niang, Mali
Salif Romano Niang is the co-founder of Timbuktu
Renaissance, which is a platform that uses culture and the arts to combat against violent extremism.
Sayed Ali Abbas Zaidi, Pakistan
Sayed Ali Abbas Zaidi is the founder and chairperson
of Pakistan Youth Alliance, which is a network of progressive youth activists working to counter
extremism.
Widyan Fares, Australia
Widyan Fares is a reporter and project manager for
Multicultural NSW. She manages The Point Magazine, an interactive website that covers topics related to
countering violent extremism.
Yousef Assidiq, Norway
Yousef Assidiq is the co-founder of JustUnity, which works to
prevent radicalization and extremism as well as conduct de-radicalization programs.
Media Mentions
October 20, 2015
September 30, 2015
September 29, 2015