1 The International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism

Evolution of approaches 2 Old Approach Counterterrorism (hard) Uses deadly force Ideological Unilateral Creates more terrorists than it eliminates New Approach Countering Violent Extremism (soft) Counters all forms of violent extremism and terrorism Multilateral, cooperative Rehabilitation Non-violent Non-ideological

What is Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)? 3 Traditional CounterterrorismCountering Violent Extremism (CVE) ActionReactive: Find and capture terrorists Proactive: Intervene before someone uses terrorism or violence ActorsIntelligence, law enforcement, military Multidisciplinary, civilian participation Perception CVE is about reducing the number of terrorist supporters through non-coercive means.

Aim and purpose Aim: To serve as the premier international center of choice for experts, expertise and experience in training, dialogue, collaboration and research to counter violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations Purpose: Every activity of the Center will be geared to reducing the number of terrorist group supporters through non-coercive means

Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) 5 What is the GCTF? A venue for national counterterrorism (CT) officials and practitioners to meet with their counterparts from different regions to share: Experience and expertise Strategies Needs and capacity building programs Who is involved? The United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. How is structured? Five working groups, two co-chairs for each 1.Sahel 2.Horn of Africa 3.Southeast Asia 4.Rule of Law 5.Countering Violent Extremism September 2011

Approach The GCTF … is meant to be a nimble, action-orientated organization. 1 We want to get a running start …[and show]…this is a group that can do exactly what it claims, that it can mobilize resources and identify problems. 1 1 Source: US State Department Press release dated September 9 th 2011

Working Group: Criminal Justice, Rule of Law Regional Working Group – Capacity building in the Sahel Strategic Coordinating Committee Working Group: Countering Violent Extremism Regional Working Group – Capacity building in the Horn of Africa Regional Working Group – Capacity building in Southeast Asia GCTF Context

Answering a Need 8 The Center was created as an independent organization working in tandem with the GCTF and its Working Groups. Countering Violent Extremism Working Group (Co-Chaired by UAE and UK) The International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism The GCTF was launched in New York City in September 2011 One of the GCTF’s five working groups, on Countering Violent Extremism, is co-chaired by the UAE and UK The UAE offered to host the first-ever International Center for Countering Violent Extremism in Abu Dhabi, UAE

22 The Center for Countering Violent Extremism His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates “The International Center for CVE will not merely be another brick and mortar bureaucracy … but rather a lean and adaptive state-of-the-art institution that leverages media and cyber to link and train experts around the world to tackle real problems and produce real results in tackling violent extremism…” 22 September 2011 – UAE offers Abu Dhabi as the host city for the establishment of the Center 9

Why the UAE 10 The core values of the United Arab Emirates: Tolerance Pluralism Innovation Excellence

Mission Statement 11 To serve as the premier international center for experts and expertise in dialogue, training, and research to counter violent extremism in all its forms.

GCTF GOVERNMENTS EXISTING CVE PROGRAMs NON GCTF GOVERNMENTS THINK TANKS PRIVATE SECTOR ACADEMIA INDIVIDUALS CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS Driver: Partners The Center will establish a formal and informal network of relationships with governments, the private sector and civil society. The Center may form strategic partnerships with particular organizations, institutions or individuals. EXISTING CT PROGRAMs CVE MEDIA PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES

Benefits of the Center 13 For GCTF members Provides a genuine contribution to global peace and security Strengthens working relationships between GCTF member nations in countering violent extremism For the UAE Enhances the prestige and international standing Provides the UAE with the opportunity to be the model for integrated CVE programming Above: International GCTF delegates attend the Center’s 3 April 2012 open house April 2012: CVE Working Group meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE

The International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism 14