An integrated strategic communications approach in Tunisia and Tajikistan
Meet the Imam using art to challenge violent extremism
Find out how religious leaders are playing a powerful role in combating violent extremism in Tunisia.
Violent extremists leverage the latest communication trends and technology available for radicalization and recruitment. We must counter dangerous propaganda with effective strategic communications.
We are building the capacity of government, civil society, the private sector, religious leaders, young people and women in Tunisia and Tajikistan to effectively use strategic communications to prevent and counter violent extremism.
The emergence of ISIS fundamentally reshaped how terrorists communicate to radicalize, recruit, and carry out attacks through tailored messaging, both online and offline, to reach the most vulnerable. A need, therefore, exists for innovation and collective action to overcome these challenges.
This program adopts an integrated communications approach to support the US Department of State’s Counterterrorism Bureau’s 2018-2022 strategy to diminish terrorist radicalization, recruitment and inspiration to violence through strategic communications in Tajikistan and Tunisia.
This program comprises three main components:
- Support with government communications strategies: Supporting the Governments of Tunisia and Tajikistan to improve the Government’s awareness of P/CVE strategic communication approaches and tools through a new CVE communication strategy.
- Counter-messaging from religious leaders: Equipping credible religious and community leaders with counter-messaging strategies to debunk violent extremists’ narratives and develop contextualized and effective campaigns.
- Innovation tech-hub for young people called ‘Tech2Protect: Finding innovative solutions to the terrorist use of the Internet. Hedayah is connecting and providing expert guidance to tech companies, young people and students to develop their own solutions to online propaganda through a tech innovation hub in Tunisia and Tajikistan.
The training by Hedayah was a great experience because many religious leaders came together and to stand as one to deliver the same message that we are all against violent extremism.
Ahmed Zahani Imam, Zitouna Mosque, TunisReligious leaders making a difference
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