Statement from Mr. Ihler to the UN High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies

- The critical roles of civil society and local actors in building partnerships for prevention

On the 28th of June 2021 Mr Ihler took part in the UN High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies session on The critical roles of civil society and local actors in building partnerships for prevention where he shared the following statement as part of the global outlook.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, panelists and participants. I wish to thank the United Nations Office of Counter -Terrorism for the invitation to take part in this important conference and for organizing and I wish to thank the panelists for their excellent interventions.

This year marks the sombre 10th anniversary of the attack on Norway on the 22nd of July 2011 that killed 77, and the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack in 2001. It is with the victims of those attacks, and all victims of terrorism in mind we come together today to pave new paths in the global fight against terrorism. Over these past decades we have faced both successes and failures in countering and preventing violent extremism, we have learnt a lot.

We must recognize the need for a comprehensive and whole-of-society approach that is inclusive to a wide diversity of voices to counter-terrorism and to prevent radicalization, and the fact that the global counter-terrorism agenda, while key in the protection of human rights and dignity, also has the potential to be misused for purposes of repression unless civil society and other actors are involved in a democratic way, where transparency, and accountability is key.

When we founded the Khalifa Ihler Institute five years ago we started our work to counter and prevent the radicalization into violent extremism that might lead to terrorism on the basis of three central ideas. The ideas that all violent extremism, irrespective of ideology, is rooted in the violent denial of diversity, that approaches to counter terrorism must be rooted in the universal declaration of human rights and that global work to counter extremism and terrorism must have local roots and build on partnerships across sectors even in communities that view themselves to be “at peace”.

A central element of our work, among others through our ever-expanding mapping of the activities of the global far right in our Hate Map, is to provide knowledge and insights to empower local actors, civil society organizations, local government, businesses and the international community to tackle the security threats posed by the global network of far right, white supremacist extremists.

Terrorism and violent extremism is a global phenomenon with local roots. Radicalization happens at local levels, in our neighbourhoods, in our streets, in our communities around the globe. It happens to our classmates, our colleagues and our neighbours - while technology amplifies the process, speeds up the spread of radical ideology and hatred, every extremist is a member of a local community - and while narratives may spread digitally, experiences and lived grievances take place locally - prevention must happen locally.

Terrorism travels, from local communities in Europe hundreds have travelled to cause devestation elsewhere. The acts of terrorists in Norway are referenced by terrorists in New Zealand, the ideas of Neo Nazis in the UK are inspiring neo nazis in the US. Ideology and ideas from terrorist organizations in Syria leads to bloodshed in France. Yet every attack, every act of global terrorism fundamentally targets and devastates local communities. Reconstruction and support of victims and survivors must also happen locally.

There’s no question local civil society organizations have a key role to play in every stage of dealing with radicalization - from prevention to reconstruction - yet we depend on partnerships across sectors, with a wide array of stakeholders, ranging from government to business to be effective. 

Through my wok as chair of the Independent Advisory Committee of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism I have first-hand knowledge of the profound importance and global impact of bringing together civil society organizations, academics, government representatives and technology companies in a multi-stakeholder community where everyone works together, albeit from vastly different perspectives, towards the common goal of preventing the terrorist misuse of our shared online spaces.

By working with Nordic Safe Cities and other localized networks we work with municipalities and local organizations to empower them to tackle radicalization in their cities both offline and online. Across this network and international and inclusive networks such as the European Radicalization Awareness Network bringing local practitioners and leaders together to learn across borders is key.

Through our work with the Kofi Annan Foundation and Extremely Together, a group in which I’m happy to also be working with Ilwad, we have amplified the work of young changemakers - lifting the voices of local change makers and leaders tackling radicalization in their neighborhoods through innovative approaches to global forums like this. 

We have taught schoolkids, law enforcement agents, municipal workers and political leaders around the globe about the role we all can - and must - play in preventing radicalization, and we have pushed for the voices of young people, who often are the targets both of radicalization and of attacks, to be heard at the highest levels of policy-making in efforts to counter extremism.

From grassroots to this High Level conference sustained and sustainable global collaboration to tackle global terrorism through local means is fundamental. Keeping this in mind is key for the funders of P/CVE programs, including government and corporate partners. 

It is key for us to fill the intent stated by so many today of including CSOs in this work with meaning by creating avenues for sustained collaboration, consultation, input and work in partnership between civil society and stakeholders across sectors.

In global partnerships across sectors we can build the innovative solutions including in the fields of digital literacy, online-interventions and discourse amplified and enhanced by cutting edge technologies such as artificial intelligence that have been called for during the sessions today.

By building bridges across sectors, by ensuring the space for a diverse range of voices civil society seek to increase accountability, and transparency - we challenge where challenging is needed, and provide insight and knowledge to tackle some of the most challenging questions of our time  - fundamental factors in combatting terrorism while maintaining respect and balance, across stakeholders, for universal human rights.

We acknowledge the challenges that often come with this. Yet by applying universal principles of rights, and by advocating for a universal definition and understanding of violent extremism as the violent denial of diversity we seek to fight double standards, and to promote equality in how extremism is being tackled globally and to ensure that the rights of some do not come at the cost of the rights of others. 

By doing this we strive for a more balanced approach to countering extremism and terrorism where democratic values, freedom from repression, and the celebration of diversity is valued as central elements to counter the violence of those who seek to spread fear, to maim and harm our local communities by denying the right for those who dare to be different, to have a different skin colour, a different faith, a different perspective, way of thinking or way of life to exist.