OSCE regional meeting in Albania highlights critical role of civil society in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism

Civil society has a critical role to play in preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) and more can be done to strengthen partnerships between government and civil society in order to address this security challenge, said speakers at a two-day regional meeting in Tirana on 17 and 18 October 2018. A new OSCE guidebook that focuses on the role of civil society in addressing VERLT in the context of South-East Europe was also launched at the event.

More than 60 participants from across the South-East Europe region including both government officials and civil society groups participated in the meeting. They discussed and shared emerging good practices in strengthening the role and the voice of civil society and focused on building their capacity.

“Effective counter-terrorism efforts are critical but insufficient without an emphasis on prevention,” said Albanian Deputy Minister of Interior Romina Kuko. “Engaging civil society organizations through a trust-based relationship with government actors creates an understanding of a shared responsibility for security.”

The Albanian National Co-ordinator for countering violent extremism, Agron Sojati, observed that increased efforts had been made at both the national and regional levels to improve co-operation, co-ordination and communication in practice and policy concerning preventing and countering VERLT. He highlighted the example of a newly established multi-agency platform in Albania.

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Bernd Borchardt, noted that in tackling VERLT “engagement with civil society actors– giving them the tools and support they need to flourish– enhances the value of individuals, communities and civil society in strengthening security.”

Participants also learnt about the new Guidebook on Good Practices in Strengthening the Role of Civil Society – a Focus on South-Eastern Europe, developed by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, which aims to promote  inclusive, multi-stakeholder processes in developing strategies and programmes to prevent and counter VERLT through safe, impactful and sustainable initiatives..

The guidebook, funded by the Austrian Government, is one of the first in a planned series of regionally-focused guidebooks by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department on challenges in developing and implementing effective programmes in this area.

The Head of the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, Argo Avakov, said the guidebooks highlight the OSCE’s ongoing role in supporting its participating States with good practices to prevent and counter VERLT.