International CVE Research Conference 2015

From 6-8 December 2015, Hedayah, Edith Cowan University and New York University Abu Dhabi Institute hosted the International CVE Research Conference 2015 in Abu Dhabi. The Conference was sponsored in part by the EU Commission and Rabdan Academy, and in partnership with CT MORSE, the Institute for Security Studies, the Global Center on Cooperative Security, the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism—the Hague, TRENDS Research & Advisory, Swansea University, People against Violent Extremism and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

At the conference over 175 practitioners, policymakers, academics and researchers convened in order to discuss the latest research on violent extremism and CVE. Three regional panels investigated the local push and pull factors on radicalization and recruitment in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia. Three thematic panels investigated the process of radicalization and recruitment online, community engagement programs in Australia, and education programs for preventing and countering violent extremism.

The Conference will produce an edited volume as well as a series of research briefs summarizing the main outcomes and recommendations from the presentations. Hedayah also hosted its Annual Fellow meeting on the margins of the Conference. For more about Hedayah’s Fellowship Program, click here.

Interactive Discussion with Youth on the margins of International CVE Research Conference 2015 On 8 December 2015, Hedayah held an interactive discussion between students at New York University Abu Dhabi and participants in the International CVE Research Conference 2015. Recognizing the importance of engaging youth in discussions about countering violent extremism, the aim of the discussion is to raise awareness among students about countering violent extremism.

Through the event, undergraduate students from NYU Abu Dhabi spoke with top researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to ask questions and exchange recommendations and suggestions for future countering violent extremism efforts. Specifically, the students and the experts addressed the role of social media, the psychology behind violent extremism, the rehabilitation process and the role of formers.