EU CVE Regional Training on South and South East Asia

This training was part of the EU CVE Training Programme and brought together thirty-five representatives from governments, civil society and EU agencies involved in CVE activities across South and Southeast Asia. Some of the countries represented in the regional training included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Maldives.

The different training sessions allowed the participants to learn more about conceptual framework on preventing and countering violent radicalization, terrorist recruitment, and violent extremism as well as on key-elements of CVE projects and current and future programming in the region.

Participants were welcomed by H.E. Mihai Stuparu, Head of Delegation of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates and showed very engaged throughout the different training sessions by sharing their field and EU funded programs’ experience. Attendees also visited Hedayah and met with all the staff after being briefed by the CEO, Mr. Maqsoud Kruse on Hedayah’s mission and training activities.

The first day of the training session focused on the importance of creating a common lexicon on what CVE is and which areas of engagement it defines. Trainers and attendees discussed the importance of recognizing push and pull factors when seeking the drivers to violent extremism in a specific region.

The second day of the training session focused on the practical and technical aspects related to CVE programs. In particular, some areas requiring further developments and efforts from the CVE community were also examined, including how to monitor and evaluate the impact of CVE programs, which is a fundamental parameter both for donors and implementing partners.

Throughout the three days of training, participants could benefit from the presentations and the views of EU colleagues working in the region through the STRIVE program (Strengthening Resilience to Violence and Extremism) and from the experiences of those participants operating as front-line workers and local partners in the CVE efforts addressing South and Southeast Asia countries.