Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Course

Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Course

 

Background and Context

In recent times, rebel and extremist groups have overrun government forces and taken control of large swathes of territories in Africa’s Sahel region, especially Northern Nigeria, Mali, and Niger etc. At the same time, terrorist groups continue to kidnap civilians, launch violent attacks, and inflict massive human and material wounds on these and other countries in the region. Indeed, other parts of the continent, particularly Northern Africa, Eastern Africa and especially the Great Lakes region continue to suffer from considerable violence and instability from Violent Extremists which pose precarious socio-economic and enormous security challenges for the African continent. Ominously, research has also identified over 40 different extremist groups currently in Africa, which clearly shows an increase at an alarming rate. The increased activities of these groups are no coincidence since there has been a consistent growth in unemployment, corruption, poverty, social inequality, religious intolerance just to mention a few which makes it easier for them to recruit and radicalize their followers especially the youth. It is a fact that these groups are destabilizing forces for governments, sub-regions and regions to deal with. This has resulted in more ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders (Missions, Nations-States, AU, UN etc.) in the peace and security sector to seek the capacity to deal with this growing threat.

Due to the demand by stakeholders in the Peace and Security sector for Violent Extremism (VE) experts to tackle the growing challenge of VE, The African Centre for the Study & Research of Terrorism (ACSRT) collaborating with KAIPTC in November 2016 organized a two-day workshop on the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism where a need for a course in PCVE was clearly identified. Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) is fast becoming a key area in the Peace and Security sector (UN, AU, ECOWAS, and Nations-States etc.).

It has also become evident through the global Counter-Terrorism Framework that all Nations-States need to be equipped in peace and security as well as relevant Civil Society personnel with the requisite skills to deal with the growing threat. The effects of VE can be seen in the above and can’t be overstated. Given the timeliness and importance of this subject, KAIPTC in collaboration with the ACSRT has decided to develop a full training course on PCVE to better equip stakeholders to address these challenges.

 

Overall Course Aim

The course is aimed at building individual skills to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of personnel of the UN, AU, Regional and National Institutions to prevent and counter Violent Extremism.

 

Learning Objectives of the Course

  1. Explain the causes, processes and issues of Religious Radicalisation.
  2. Assess and classify the various perspectives of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Africa.
  3. To understand the importance of information management (Intelligence, Investigation and Surveillance) in the PCVE.
  4. To develop skills to Prevent & Counter Violent Extremism in Africa.
  5. Equipped participants with the tools to reintegrate violent extremists into the community.

 

Target Groups

  1. African Union (AU) and other Regional Bodies.
  2. UN Country Missions, Agencies, Funds, Programmes and Entities in Regions affected by PCVE.
  3. Security Agencies, Intelligence Agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) in Peace and Security in Africa.
  4. Relevant Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/ Civil Society Organizations actively participating or supporting PCVE programmes in conflict-affected or post-conflict African countries.

 

Eligibility Criteria

This course targets operational personnel who are involved in PCVE processes.  Applicants are required to have at least one of the criteria listed below:

  1. Nominated by the African Union or ECOWAS.
  2. Possess at least one year experience in PCVE related work.
  3. Must be currently involved in PCVE practice work.
  4. Must be working closely with PCVE practitioners in any conflict-affected or post-conflict African country.

Preference would be given to applicants having a working knowledge of the English language, both written and oral skills since the course would only be delivered in English. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

 

Facilitation Methodology

The Problem-Based Learning approach, suitable for adult learning, would be used in the delivery of the course and participants would be required to play an active role under the guidance of an experienced team of facilitators.  The course content thus would be delivered using a combination of approaches such as PowerPoint presentations, lectures, case study, small group exercises, stories, experience sharing and simulation, among others.

 

Relevant Facts

  1. Course capacity – 30 participants.
  2. KAIPTC residential accommodation for all participants.
  3. Facilitation team would be composed of resource persons from Violent Extremism practitioners, AU, ECOWAS, KAIPTC, ACSRT, Transition International Sierra Leone, and Consultants etc.
  4. Participants coming from UN/AU missions would be required to make a 15-20 minutes presentation on the PCVE programme interventions in their missions.
  5. Successful applicants (not nominated by the AU) will be expected to pay a commitment fee of USD 500 at least 3 weeks before the course assembles. This fee is non-refundable.

 

How to Apply

Only fully completed applications that are submitted via the application portal would be taken into consideration.

Please click to apply here: For further enquiries should be emailed to the Course Director: Augustine.Owusu@kaiptc.org