Newsletter Issue No.1,June 2012 THE CENTER OFEXCELLENCE INTERNATIONAL

in this issue For CounteringViolent Extremism Film Review: Tora Bora The Spotlight Siham Abu Awwad shares herstory Voices CVE Working Grouplooksahead UNODC commendstheCenter GCTF discussesprisonde-radicalization inRome News CVE scholar Will McCantsspeakswiththeCenter Practitioner KSA SAVE: Unitingwomen againstviolentextremism Profile Support Team Leadership Events Update ontheCenter The Center GCTF and The InternationalCenterofExcellence Background H.H. Sheikh Abdullah BinZayed Al Nahyan Welcome Letter , s SuccessStory: The MohammedBinNayef Center Abu Dhabi,UAE

22 - 23 - 22 21 - 20 19 18 17 17 - 16 15 - 14 13 - 12 11 10 9 - 8 7 - 6 5 3 Greetings from H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs

t is only through our collective efforts and sustained Icommitment that we, as a global community, will be able to address one of the most pressing issues in the context of counterterrorism, namely countering violent extremism. Violent extremism remains a phenomenon that affects all nations, peoples, and cultures. Recognizing the depth and complexity of violent extremism, and recognizing the need for global cooperation on this threat, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) has acted swiftly and made countering violent extremism one of its core focus areas. As a result, the United Arab Emirates will be hosting the first ever International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, in Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled to open in October 2012.

Events such as this important plenary meeting in Istanbul, serve to remind us of the need for sustained collective efforts and of the need to strengthen global partnerships. These are the sorts of efforts and partnerships that will allow the International Center of Excellence to become a genuine and effective international platform to increase stability and enhance security in the current global landscape.

On behalf of the United Arab Emirates, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your support, cooperation, and partnership, both in the general context of the GCTF and as we move forward to opening the International Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi.

2 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 3 Dear Colleague: Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Newsletter for the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the organizations and individuals who made this publication possible. Your active participation and contributions , have ensured the Newsletter reflects the global nature of the Center s vision and mission. The aim of this issue and future issues is to publish news on the Center, include stories from the field, and highlight and update ongoing CVE projects, activities, and achievements. We welcome your contributions, suggestions, and feedback.

Any man may easily do harm, but not every man can do good to another. - Plato

JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 5 The Center

Update and seminar rooms. The Center’s Strategy and As the official opening in October approaches, Operating Plan are near completion and lay the Center will continue to develop its operating the groundwork for creating a highly functional procedures and physical facilities in preparation and efficient organization capable of meeting to receive secondees and funding from GCTF Center moves toward launch in October 2012 its mission. During the summer months of 2012, member and partners. The Center also expects to the Center will continue to host visitors, develop host film screenings and book launches related to its brand and virtual presence, and build its staff CVE subjects, which will raise its domestic, regional, through additional direct-hires and secondees. and global profile and raise CVE awareness.

THE CENTER 1) Front garden, 2) Auditorium, 3) Entrance, 4) Roof terrace, 5) Computer lab, 6) Training room, 7) Conference room

7 1

Center meets with GCTF members in Rome respective CVE programs, research, and training. At a May 9, 2012 meeting in Rome, the Center of Excellence presented its draft Terms of Reference, New staff at the Center GCTF members have already begun seconding By-laws, and proposed Operating Plan for GCTF personnel to provide support to the Center’s stand- members’ input. The Terms of Reference and By- up. Thus far, the United States has seconded 6 2 Laws provide a charter and governance structure two experts. One provided two weeks of support 4 for the Center, outline the roles and responsibilities during the month of May and the other has been of the Advisory Board and International Steering working at the Center intermittently since March. Board, and establish the general provisions under Additionally, the Center hired its first employee, which the Center will function. Wedad Al Hassen. The presentation of the draft Operating Plan provided a detailed brief on the Center’s Moving Forward The Center has been actively improving its operations, employment models, and leadership physical headquarters, ensuring that all personnel philosophy. Both documents have been updated will have a world-class working environment, to reflect ongoing input from GCTF members. including high-bandwidth Internet capabilities, The Center continues to seek feedback on where information resources and a variety of training and how it can best augment GCTF members’ 5 3

GCTF Launched London, CVE contact group Washington, DC, Nation Defense CVE Evaluation GCTF and UN Counterterrorism Partnerships Explored in London, Discussions University (NDU) Forum The Global GCTF members interested in Colloquium on Cooperation Ankara Counterterrorism Forum NDU’s Near East South First Center Employee establishing a Countering Violent Asia Center (NESA) hosts measuring effectiveness (GCTF) is launched in in counterterrorism UN agencies active in counterterrorism and Meetings with NATO Center of Excellence, . The U.S. Extremism (CVE) working group Experts meet to discuss possible CVE conference on lessons the GCTF discuss cooperation in Interlaken, Turkish National Police, and Turkish Hired learned and good practices programming in Ottawa, and Turkey co-chair convene in London, UK. workstreams. Canada. Switzterland. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Coordinating Committee. of international training and research centers. Sep 22, 2011 Nov 14, 2011 Dec 13- 15, 2011 Jan 25, 2012 Feb 9- 10, 2012 Feb 22- 24, 2012 March 2, 2012 April 1, 2012

6 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 7 Center Update

Events Welcome Note On behalf of the United Arab Emirates, I am pleased to be guiding the launch of the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism. It is National Defense University Visit with great pleasure that I look forward to the Center standing up and commencing On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, H.E. Mahash operations before the end of this year. The UAE is uniquely positioned among Saeed Al Hameli, Director of International Security the world’s nations to host this Center, the first of its kind dedicated to CVE. We Cooperation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are a tolerant and forward-looking nation, with a diverse, multi-ethnic population received a delegation from the Near East South representing essentially all the world’s major religions and many of its cultures. We Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies at National have a strong commitment to CVE, and our excellent infrastructure will enable the Defense University, led by its Director, Ambassador Center to take its place quickly among the world’s leading institutions for dialogue, James Larocco. The two men discussed the challenge research, collaboration and training in CVE. - H.E. Mahash Al Hameli that violent extremism presents to the world and how the NESA Center, based in Washington, DC, and the Delegates visit the Center of Excellence Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi can work together. Participants from the GCTF Working Group on Countering Violent Extremism visit the Center’s open Ambassador Larocco welcomed the initiative of the house on the margins of their inaugural meeting in Abu Dhabi on April 3, 2012. UAE in hosting the new Center and the fast pace of concrete efforts to launch it in October 2012. The Center would like to thank NDU, and Ambassador Larocco in particular, for their continued support and guidance during its development. The Center welcomes similar visits by delegations from other centers from around the world.

Abu Dhabi, CVE Working Group Center Milestones Center Solicits Feedback in Rome NDU Delegation Center Visit Criminal Justice Sector and the CVE Ministerial Plenary Meeting The Center delivers The Center’s Terms of Reference, By-laws, Madrid in Abu Dhabi its strategy, and hosts MoFA commissions building Rule of Law an open house for for Center Headquarters; first and Operating Plan are discussed with NDU delegation visits for the GCTF in Victims’ conference The Center of delegates in the first Secondees arrives governments and stakeholders in Rome. the Center: See page 9. The GCTF Working Group meets in Excellence formally formal meeting of the Istanbul working group. The Hague. launches Apr 3- 4, 2012 April 2012 May 9, 2012 May 16, 2012 May 23- 24, 2012 Jun 7- 8, 2012 Jul 9- 10, 2012 Oct 2012

8 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 9 Center Update Center Update Support Leadership Supporting the Center Individuals providing experience and expertise to the Center

Khalifa supports the Center of Hanan has been an Emirati Excellence from his position in diplomat for over 10 years the protocol department of the and is currently the Deputy UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of American and where he has worked since June Pacific Affairs Department at the UAE Ministry of 2011. My job is very dynamic “ Foreign Affairs. Due to and challenging. I am constantly her excellent leadership learning, both in the field and and performance, she was within the Ministry. it is an exciting chosen to give the Center’s opportunity. Assisting with the a lili a l l a l M arr i first presentation to GCTF setup of the Center is a great members at the April 3 - 4, example of the kinds of exciting 2012, CVE Working Group projects I have the pleasure of outlining its strategy, working on through the Ministry.” mission and vision. Hanan continues to be instrumental h anan in the development of the Kh a li fa Center and has been an active participant since its inception.

Ayesha has been working for Hassan serves as the Head 8 years as a diplomat with the of Events and Activities Ministry of Foreign affairs. She in Ministry of Foreign is Second Secretary and Head of Affairs’s Government the Security Coordination Section Communications and in the International Security Media Department. Hassan Ambassador Faris Al Mazrouei Cooperation Department. In this has been assisting the capacity, she is assisting the Center in this capacity and discusses his role providing guidance in setting up the Center standing up of the International played a critical role in the mans oo r i Center of Excellence for a l z aa bi delivery of the 3 - 4, 2012, Countering Violence Extremism. April CVE Working Group Ambassador Faris Al Mazrouei, the UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Security and Military Ayesha graduated from Zayed Meeting in Abu Dhabi. He

l a l , Affairs, sat down with the Center’s interim staff to discuss his role as the senior Emirati official University with a Bachelor s will continue to support Degree in International Studies the Center by advising on overseeing the standing-up of the Center. and she has earned a Masters media engagement and Degree form Zayed Univesity in event management. Center of Excellence: What do you view as the role of the Center? Diplomacy and International Hassan Ambassador Faris Al Mazrouei (AFM): Broadly speaking, it is a multifaceted center that aims Relations. to initiate international dialogue and cooperation on the nature and consequences of violent es h a Ay extremism. To this end, the Center will be proactively engaged in three program areas: research, dialogue and cooperation, and training. These three program areas were determined through Tim provides advice to the UAE Christina spent two weeks a rigorous methodological study of available literature and through interviews with practitioners Ministry of Foreign Affairs which at the Center helping to and experts. But most importantly these program areas are based on and driven by the needs of is overseeing the standing up the build its CVE repertoire GCTF members and partners. Center. He comes with nearly and expand its networks. 30 years of experience with the She has spent the last U.S. Foreign Service, including three years working on COE: Why does the UAE consider the Center so important? five years of CVE work and CVE issues with a focus AFM: The Center holds special importance because it has the unique opportunity of being three years in multilateral and on developing programs developed on the foundation of tolerance and understanding and as a truly cooperative and multi-national settings. Prior to for at-risk youth and international endeavor. It is the collective responsibility of the world’s nations to ensure the Center coming to Abu Dhabi as a liaison researching issues related succeeds because the realization of its vision of a world where violent extremism is no longer a officer to the UAE Ministry of to radicalization. She Foreign Affairs, Tim established is currently completing significant threat will have enduring benefits for us all. the CVE Program at the U.S. a Master’s degree in State Department and was its Forensic Psychology with a COE: How do you envision the Center cooperating with the GCTF? first director. He has also worked specialization in motivations Ti m ANDREWS AFM: The Center will remain committed to cooperate with the Global Counterterrorism Forum to with the International Security to commit violence, gender lead the international effort to find innovative ways to address drivers of violent extremism. Assistance Force in Afghanistan NEMR C H R I ST NA issues, radicalization, and was Deputy Chief of Mission and disengagement and in Nigeria. deradicalization.

10 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 11 Profile Organization

Extremism on joint research projects and by SAVE: supporting emerging groups at the civil society level to identify and implement appropriate, locally- applicable approaches to establishing stable and Uniting women secure communities. against violent extremism

SAVE (Sisters Against Violent Extremism) is the world’s first counterterrorism platform for women. SAVE seeks to highlight and encourage the role of women in the security sphere and to sensitize mothers in particular to their role and “Civil society and the private sector have responsibility in countering violent extremism important roles to play. Groups such as Sisters ideologies. SAVE is currently undertaking a Against Violent Extremism, a group of women in 17 combination of action-oriented research as well countries around the world who have risked their as needs-based pilot projects in Yemen, Israel, lives to tell terrorists that they are not welcome in Palestine, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Saudi their communities. They have written newspaper Arabia, Tajikistan and Northern Ireland. SAVE articles in Yemen, held workshops for young people is also in the process of establishing chapters in Indonesia, brought Indian and Pakistani women in Somalia, Nigeria, England, and France. together to show a united front. These women know they will not stop extremism everywhere, but After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks they refuse to sit on the sidelines.” and other terrorist attacks around the world, it The working partnership between Women Without became clear to Schlaffer that a global network Borders and SAVE is accompanied by action- of women was needed for new solutions to oriented research projects. Schlaffer is currently emerging security threats. Schlaffer began leading the “Mothers for Change” research project to reaching out to the Women Without Borders explore the potential of mothers to affect pathways network, the international NGO she founded of youth radicalization in Pakistan, Northern Ireland, in 2001. In 2008, she invited 33 women from Egypt, Israel, and Palestine. In the study “Bridging around the world who are passionate about the Gap,” Schlaffer and her team surveyed over countering violent extremism to to launch 4,000 female and male students across Saudi SAVE: Sisters Against Violent Extremism. Arabia. Based on this research, SAVE is developing , On the eve of the tenth anniversary of 9/ 11, US projects to strengthen civil society s capacity to Secretary of State recognized counter violent extremism. SAVE’s contribution to developing innovative SAVE envisions partnering with the International new approaches to countering violent Center of Excellence for Countering Violent extremism: Dr. Edit Schlaffer is the Founder and Executive Director of Women Without, Borders/SAVE, a social scientist, author, women s advocate, and activist.

12 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 13 Profile In The In The Field

• Publish lessons learned and leading practice case studies on detainees during and after their rehabilitation programs.

Counseling program The counseling program has one central committee with separate subcommittees comprised of religious, academic, and legal scholars. Counseling programs take place in a number of settings: • Individual interviews • Group interviews • Family counseling • Woman to woman counseling • Remote counseling via Internet

Education and Care Program The Education and Care program started in 2007, when 18 detainees from Guantanamo Bay returned to Saudi Arabia. The program then grew to include other Saudi detainees arriving from Guantanamo or detained inside the Kingdom. Special facilities were provided to implement the Center’s programs, Terrorist rehabilitation which are carried out and supervised by a multidisciplinary group of professionals and experts. Those programs embraced at the programs are: • Sharia program: lectures and practices that help subjects internalize correct Islamic concepts Muhammad bin Nayef Center based on moderation, and that refute incorrect ideologies and practices. for Counseling and Care • Psychological program: subjects learn psychological skills such as self-control, self-esteem, positive thinking, and adaptation. • Social program: subjects learn to develop social skills to integrate into society. • Arts program: a very effective drawing and painting program that promotes self-introspection and self-knowledge. Dr. Mansour Bin Saeed Al Qarni is the Director of Muhammad Bin Nayef Center for Counseling • History program: basic study of history and anthropology. The aim is to learn lessons from historical and Care, and formerly a lecturer and researcher with experience in developing care programs, incidents by comparing them with the current status quo. public opinion measurements methods, and assessing the impact of drugs on communities. He • Theoretical and practical training: help subjects acquire moderate ideas, assumptions and received his graduate degree in Security Sciences from King Fahed Security College, a degree in behaviors; achieve psychological maturity; and become equipped with the necessary expertise to Islamic Sharia from Imam Muhammad Bin Sauod College, a Masters in Educational Psychology eliminate negative behavior. from King Faisal University, and a Ph.D. in Criminology from Nayef Arab University,, (2009). His dissertation was about “Social Security Threats Arising from Mobile Phone Abuse. • Sports and recreational program: sports activities, safari, Haj or Omra, visits to public libraries, and so on. Terrorist rehabilitation initiatives were adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the aftermath • Vocational programs: subjects have courses in computer and IT, English language, customer of 2003 terrorist attacks, as the government recognized the importance of targeting the service and marketing, mechanics, and small projects management. Courses include the Center ideologies and religious pretexts behind acts of terrorism. The Muhammad Bin Nayef Center for Committee members and employees. Counseling and Care has embraced and implemented rehabilitation programs as a key augment to conventional counterterrorism operations. The Center’s mission is to work in cooperation with Care Follow-up Program This program is implemented through a number of subprograms, such as: educational, social, and religious organizations to establish systematic and practical approaches • Family care program: families are supported to play a positive role in the lives of the subjects after to address violent ideologies, and reintegrate former detainees into society. they leave the Center. The Center enables families to do so by supporting them financially, and by The Center providing health care and education. The Center’s programs are based on three key principals – protection, education and care • The released follow-up programs: relationships are maintained with the released to help them (PEC) - to help achieve the following goals: overcome all financial and life obstacles and to help them achieve personal satisfaction in their • Refute detainees’ misguided ideas using evidence from Quran and Hadith. lives following rehabilitation. • Implement comprehensive educational programs in areas that are vulnerable to extremism. • Facilitation programs: the Center communicates with governmental entities to help to provide • Communicate with the detainees’ families and provide for their educational, social or medical subjects of all necessary official documents such as IDs licenses, and passports. needs. • Social adaptation and integration program: programs are designed to set a unique approach for • Maintain relationships with the detainees after their release to monitor their rehabilitation. each case to help individuals to handle integration and adaptation related difficulties through • Cooperate with religious scholars to implement the Center’s activities. utilizing information gathered during the subjects stay at the Center.

14 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 15 Practitioner Q & A

Noted scholar and practitioner Will COE: What role do you feel the COE will play both regionally and internationally? McCants speaks with the Center WM: The Center can become the hub for communicating about the disparate efforts that are currently about the past and future of violent conducted under the rubric of CVE. COE: How can international CVE players best contribute to the Center? extremism WM: The international partners can ensure that the Center maintains its independence and is well- resourced to carry out its mission. Center of Excellence: How do you define CVE? COE: What type of training with regard to CVE do you think would be most beneficial to CVE Will McCants: Countering violent extremism is reducing the number practitioners? of terrorist group supporters through non-coercive means. WM: In addition to learning about how terrorist groups lose support and why individual supporters COE: How has the field of CVE evolved since the time you become disaffected, CVE practitioners should learn the nitty-gritty about designing and implementing started working in it, if at all? programs, as well as measuring their success. Such training would include courses in grant writing; WM: There is nothing new about trying to reduce the number of accounting for the relevant laws and human rights principles in program design; and measuring program terrorist group supporters through non-coercive means. For example, effectiveness. governments have tried since the birth of modern terrorism in the nineteenth century to discredit terrorist organizations in hopes of reducing public support for them. What is new is the effort of states to do this in a coordinated manner on a global scale.

COE: What do you believe are the best ways to counter violent News GCTF discusses prison de-radicalization in Rome extremism? Will McCants is a scholar of WM: The primary focus should be on changing the minds of law- Islam and the Middle East, an abiding supporters of terrorist groups and terrorist group supporters On May 10 -11, 2012 in Rome, the Italian government adjunct faculty member at Johns who are incarcerated. How that is done will depend on the country, hosted a meeting held under the joint auspices of the Hopkins University, and former its culture, and the nature of the terrorist group. A secondary focus Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), the United Senior Advisor on countering should be on convincing the public that terrorist groups are not Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute violent extremism to the U.S. State pursuing the public’s interests in an appropriate manner. (UNICRI), and the Dutch NGO, the International Center , Department s Coordinator for on Counterterrorism - The Hague (ICCT). More than 80 Counterterrorism. McCants is also COE: What do you think are the biggest obstacles facing CVE government representatives, officials from multilateral author of a recent book entitled, practitioners? organizations, and independent experts participated in WM: The biggest obstacle is the lack of an agreed definition. “Founding Gods, Inventing Nations: the meeting, which revolved around discussion of a good Without one, it is hard to create effective programs and measure Conquest and Culture Myths from practices document that countries could consider in ,, their success. The lack of an agreed definition also makes it difficult Antiquity to Islam based on his managing and rehabilitating violent extremist offenders. to coordinate action because not everyone will pull in the same doctoral research at Princeton This document was drawn from a UNICRI/ICCT product that direction. University. was drafted as part of the initiative they are leading in this COE: Given your experience in the CVE field, how can this important area. Center make an impact? The discussion in Rome was extremely productive, and the good practices document is WM: The greatest service the Center can render is sponsoring being revised to incorporate the input, comments, and suggestions at this meeting. Pending research on how terrorist groups lose support; holding international endorsement of this document by GCTF members, UNICRI/ICCT will be promoting these conferences that share the findings of this research; and training good practices and encouraging countries to incorporate them into their own programs. Such practitioners in the best of these findings. The Center could also incorporation will likely include regional technical assistance workshops, potentially including become the go-to place for evaluating CVE program effectiveness. one at the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, in Abu Dhabi.

16 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 17 News UNODC commends the Center

The Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been actively involved with the Global Counterterrorism Forum since its inception, and looks forward to the upcoming opening of the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism in October 2012 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. UNODC, and its Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB), a key United Nations entity for legal and technical counterterrorism assistance, views the Center as a natural partner in the fight against terrorism, and looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate with the Center. In particular, UNODC/TPB envisions joint activities in furtherance of the common goal of assisting States to implement the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy (2006), also in the framework of the work lead by the UN Counterterrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and its working groups. Pursuant to the mandate given by the United Nations General Assembly to UNODC, UNODC/TPB CVE Working Group looks ahead provides specialized technical assistance to Member States to enhance their capacity to effectively prevent and combat terrorism and to facilitate long term, sustainable rule-of-law based criminal justice responses The Countering Violent Extremism Working Group, one of the five action-oriented working groups to terrorism. Criminal justice prevention strategies are essential components of a broader counterterrorism that develop the work of the GCTF, met formally for the first time in Abu Dhabi in April 2012 to agree framework, and key to reducing the appeal of violent extremist ideologies. In this context, UNODC/TPB its first work plan to complement and enhance international CVE efforts. An upcoming schedule of has recently developed two key technical assistance tools to support States in their efforts to assess and expert-driven meetings will identify and scope, often for the first time at this international level, the improve the efficacy of their criminal justice systems. best of international CVE practice across the topics most important to GCTF members. Themes range from countering violent extremism in prisons and educational institutions, through working with The Criminal Justice Response to Support Victims of Acts of Terrorism (2011) is a policy guide offering advice on how to reform and improve criminal justice systems so that they are more fair and sensitive communications and civil society, to assessing the impact of CVE efforts. (The calendar below sets to the needs of victims of terrorism and their families. The publication recognizes the secondary and out the current schedule of events.) mostly silent role that victims of terrorism have long played in criminal proceedings and promotes the Engagement through the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism is the establishment of equal and effective access to justice for victims. second, core element to the Working Group’s activities. GCTF members’ input is sought to ensure a The publication includes advice for policymakers and criminal justice officials and examples of good dynamic, delivery-focused Center that will reflect international demand. With GCTF members actively practices to support victims of terrorism. Recommended measures include judicial assistance, protection exploring how they can contribute to and draw on the Center’s capabilities, and the Center gearing from intimidation and retaliation, material, medical, psychological and social assistance and access to up to take onboard the collective CVE wisdom emerging from GCTF CVE Working Group events, compensation. UNODC/TPB has developed an extensive program of capacity building activities in this there is a bright future for collaboration between the Working Group and the Center. area. • July 2012: Institutions and Civil Society - Conference on Victims of Terrorism (Spain) • October 2012: Launch of International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, The Use of the Internet for Terrorist Purposes (forthcoming 2012), developed in cooperation with the UN CTITF, is a tool to assist Member States in developing proactive and coordinated responses to terrorists’ (Abu Dhabi, UAE) misuse of evolving communications technologies. The publication is intended for use as both a stand- • Late October/Early November: Institutions and Civil Society - Role of Institutions and Multi-Sectoral alone resource for policymakers and practitioners, and in support of training activities to strengthen the Approach workshop (Turkey) institutional capacity of national criminal justice systems to develop more effective rule of law-based • Late 2012/early 2013: Measurement and Evaluation - Seminar on measuring effectiveness of responses to the criminalization, investigation and prosecution of terrorist cases involving the Internet. public engagement (co-hosted with Canada) • April 2013: Measurement and Evaluation - Canadian compendium of good practices The publication provides guidance regarding applicable national, regional, and international policy and • Venue to be decided: Institutions and Civil Society - Seminar on role of educational institutions legal frameworks, highlights good practices identified through the analysis of actual cases and considers potential opportunities to strengthen inter-State and private sector cooperation. UNODC/TPB capacity CVE Through Communications Seminars: building activities are intended to address the need for specialized training in this emerging area of concern, • Sharing of current practices (Netherlands) through a combination of national, regional and sub-regional training workshops for law enforcement and • Effective use of traditional and new media against terrorism (United Kingdom) prosecutors, and the development of an online training curriculum to develop institutional capacity to • Assessing communication techniques and measuring the impact of violent extremist organizations effectively detect, prosecute and deter the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. (United States) The anticipated provision of joint capacity building activities in these areas by UNODC/TPB and the • Broadening and deepening the resilience theme as a CT positive counter-narrative (Australia) Center offers an excellent opportunity to leverage the expertise of each organization for the promotion of common counterterrorism goals.

18 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 19 Voices

A mother uses dialogue and outreach to end violence Siham ABU AWWAD on both sides of a conflict.

Siham Abu Awwad is an activist, her mother’s death in 2006 that Siham organizer, and mother from the Beit came to explore alternative, non- Umar village of Palestine, and is the violent approaches to reconciliation. Sisters Against Violent Extremism “I myself did not believe that I was (SAVE) chapter leader in Palestine. capable of practicing my mother’s She describes herself, and all preaching until the Israelis walked Palestinian women, as “fighters,”into our home to pay their respects to but she has written a new definition: our deceased mother. But then I saw “You know when someone, hears the humanity in the Israelis faces.” this word fighter, it doesn t mean you Siham has since become a powerful have to hold a gun. Everything I do, organizer on the ground promoting in daily life, is some kind of fighting. Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and When I send my kids to the school, peaceful resistance. , I m fighting. When I feed them, I am Siham is now extremely active in , organizing women, and particularly “Don t just take sides in the mothers, to raise their voices to conflict – instead be part of condemn violent extremism relating to the conflict and to provide a the solution. We all want platform for the exchange of best to see our kids grow up in practices to encourage other mothers front of our eyes. After you to take concrete steps to prevent their children from engaging in violent have lost them, you have activities (such as throwing stones). nothing else to lose. Anyone The message that each of the women can do something to change in the region has spread is clear: violence can no longer be seen as this conflict between us.” a solution to the conflict, and it is the role of mothers to provide their fighting. There is not enough money. children with alternative approaches When I hear from them about their and thought structures for dealing dreams and I cannot help them to let with the occupation. Siham sees these dreams come true, I am fighting. mothers as the crucial and untapped When I see my mom in jail, I am link to ending the spread of violent fighting.” Siham grew up in Palestine extremism among the world’s youth. feeling, as she says, “humiliated” and “stripped of the right to… live in Siham sends a strong message to dignity like any normal human being the world,, and particularly mothers: in the free world.” The last thing she “Don t just take sides in the conflict, – could imagine was becoming a global instead be part of the solution. Don t activist for peace and reaching out view me as a Palestinian and another to the other side, the Israelis, for woman as an Israeli, because that will dialogue, understanding and a new not save us. We all want to see our vision of the future. kids grow up in front of our eyes. After you have lost them, you have nothing Siham’s activism began by necessity else to lose. Anyone can do something at an early age – her childhood came to change this conflict between us. It to an abrupt end at age 14 when her is not enough to feel comfortable with mother was arrested by the Israeli yourself just because you feel sorry army. Siham’s mother was an active about me. I do not want more people member of the Palestinian Liberation to feel sorry for me. I want them to Organization (PLO) and led and laugh with me, to smile with me after organized sit-ins and peaceful rallies I become free.” at the Red Cross. It was not until after

20 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 CoE Newsletter 21 The Spotlight

Film Review: Tora

“I see how much I Bora, want to give to cinema, The story of a family s to the Gulf cinema, to struggle to rescue Arab cinema from the their son from violent production side to the story telling side. We extremism have a lot of stories that we can tell from this part of the world… we have a lot of messages that we want to convey…”

, hat marks a young man s conversion from merely holding extremist views to expressing those views - Walid Al Awadi W through violence? In Tora Bora, Kuwaiti director Walid Al Awadi contemplates this question and examines the stark reality of what it takes to bring one young man back from the brink of extremism. The film provides few clear answers, nor should it – the complexities behind such a journey do not permit simple answers. , Tora Bora chronicles a mother and father s journey from Kuwait to Afghanistan, where their son, Ahmed (Abdullah Al-Tararwa), has been recruited to join the Taliban. This is a story about the battle for Ahmed himself. , On one side are the forces of violent extremism pulling Ahmed into a suicide mission. On the other, Ahmed s , parents, who find themselves in a foreign land, powerless to pull him back. We see in Al Awadi s gritty, raw , footage a documentarian s eye for capturing the nuances and psychology of a mind undergoing radicalization, and the anguish of those attempting to save him. The recruitment and indoctrination techniques of the Taliban, , coupled with violence, kidnapping and torture, thwart the plans of Ahmed s parents. When they falter, their elder son enlists the support of Pakistani intelligence and stages a rescue mission of his own. Viewers are , drawn in to the emotional depth of the story as the effects of Ahmed s journey to the Taliban ripple outward to those around him.

Tora Bora, which premiered at the prestigious 64th Cannes Film Festival and opened the 5th Gulf Film , Festival, is an engaging movie on the subject of countering violent extremism. As Ahmed s parents struggle to , understand their son s journey toward extremism, viewers are reminded of the common threads running through all violent extremist narratives – not just those between Kuwait and Afghanistan. Al Awadi has succeeded in making a powerful movie that raises awareness of the challenges of countering violent extremism, while simultaneously elevating the artistic standing of Kuwaiti film in the Gulf and internationally.

22 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 COE Newsletter 23 [email protected]

The International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism Off of Bani Yas Sreet (Najda) Between 9th and 11th Streets Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

24 CoE Newsletter JUNE 2012