Against Violent Extremism

Against Violent Extremism (AVE) is a global network of former extremists, survivors of violence and interested individuals from the public and private sectors - working together to counter all forms of violent extremism.[1] A partnership between London’s Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Google Ideas and the Gen Next Foundation.[2] AVE's stated aim is to offer a platform for communication, collaboration and a means for activists to find resources and funding for projects.[3]

Against Violent Extremism
FoundedApril 25, 2011 (2011-04-25)

Origins

AVE has its origins in the Summit Against Violent Extremism (SAVE), held in Dublin in the summer of 2011.[4] The first major initiative by Google Ideas, SAVE brought together former extremists and survivors of violent extremism from around the world.[5] The summit saw discussion of the common ground between different extremists,[6] patterns of radicalisation [7] and the factors leading people to leave violent groups.

A common theme throughout the event was how much those working to prevent different types of extremism had to learn from one another. On the back of the conversations at SAVE, a permanent global network of former extremists and survivors of violent extremism called Against Violent Extremism was established. This network was officially launched by Google Ideas in New York in April 2012.[8]

Goals

The network aims to amplify the voices of former extremists and survivors in an effective way to counter radicalisation.[9] It aims to do so in three ways:

Networking

In bringing together a global network of former extremists of all ideologies with survivors of violence, AVE aims to facilitate the ‘cross pollination' [10] of ideas between members in a way that makes all more effective.[11] The inclusion of interested individuals from the private and public sector facilitates the exchange of dialogue and best practice.[12]

Support

Drawing on its contacts across different sectors, the network provides practical support for grassroots projects working to tackle extremism at a community level.[13]

Advocacy

AVE advocates for the positive role that former extremists and survivors can play in preventing violent extremism.[12]

Organisation

AVE is managed on a day-to-day basis by the London-based think tank Institute for Strategic Dialogue, who formally took over the management of the network from Google Ideas in February 2012.[14] The network is entirely private sector funded[15] with funding and strategic support supplied by Google Ideas and the US-based Gen Next Foundation.[16] The network also benefits from website and technical support supplied by Belfast-based Rehab Studio.[17]

High Profile Members

AVE has over 450 former extremists and survivors of violent extremism from around the world. Some high-profile examples include:

Criticism

There has been criticism that the project, which brings former extremists into the fold, has been naïve in overstating the impact they can have.[18] More broadly, there is also scepticism surrounding the extent that lessons learnt in tackling gang violence on the streets of Los Angeles can be transferred to tackling the threat of Islamist extremism on the streets of Islamabad.[6]

References
  1. Network to combat extremism and gang culture launched, BBC News, 25 April 2012 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-17841681
  2. Can a social network fight 'extremism'?, AlJazeera, May 2012, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-06-15. Retrieved 2013-07-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. FRENNET, ROSS: RAMALINGHAM, VIDHYA, The failed EDL rally plot shows how much extremists need each other, guardian.co.uk, May 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/01/failed-edl-rally-plot-extremists-need
  4. CENTER, BRIAN, LA to Dublin and Beyond, The Huffington Post, July 2011, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-center/la-to-dublin-and-beyond_b_888132.html
  5. IDE, MICHAEL, Google Ideas organises Anti-Extremism conference in Dublin, ITProPortal.com, June 2011, http://www.itproportal.com/2011/06/30/google-ideas-organises-anti-extremism-conference-dublin/
  6. SEGALL, MANDY, Former Skinhead: 'My hate had no basis', Al Jazeera, July 2011, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/06/2011630123643988652.html
  7. DUBLIN, FROM THE PRINT ADDITION, Violent Extremists: Of Skinheads and Jihadists, June 2011 http://www.economist.com/node/18895448
  8. JUGINOVIC, JANA, Google oracle Jared Cohen on the future and the Internet, Macleans.ca, June 2013, http://www.macleans.ca/2013/06/07/a-conversation-with-jared-cohen-director-of-google-ideas/
  9. CAHALAN, PAUL: OWEN, JONATHAN, Terror in Woolich: Internet is the vital frontline in a war against extremism, The Independent, May 2013, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/terror-in-woolwich-internet-is-the-vital-frontline-in-war-against-extremism-8632400.html
  10. Press Release, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, September 2012, "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2013-07-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ROGERS, DR BROOKE, Viewpoints: How should radicalisation be tackled?, bbc.co.uk, May 2013, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22683452
  12. RAN INT/EXT WORKING GROUP, Proposed Policy Recommendations For the High Level Conference, Radicalisation Awareness Network, December 2012, http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/networks/radicalisation_awareness_network/ran-high-level-conference/docs/proposed_policy_recommendations_ran_int-ext_en.pdf
  13. "RESILIENT COMMUNITIES NEWS/BLOG, "Former Extremists work against violent extremism", Resilient Communities". May 13, 2013. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  14. BK, THE LOCAL, New Social Network Links ex-terrorists and victims, The Local, April 2012, http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120425-42157.html
  15. Neumann, Peter R, Options and Strategies for Countering Online Radicalization in the United States, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 36:6, p. 446, http://counterideology2.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/options-n-strategies-for-countering-online-radicalization-in-the-us.pdf
  16. https://www.theverge.com/2012/4/25/2975032/google-ideas-against-violent-extremism-network/
  17. SOLON, OLIVIA, Google backs 'social network' for former violent extremists, wired.co.uk, April 2012, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2013-07-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. GITHENS-MAZER, JONATHAN, Google's big idea against extremism needs to learn the important maxim of political violence: "no justice, no peace"?, Open Democracy, July 2011 http://www.opendemocracy.net/jonathan-githens-mazer/has-googles-big-idea-against-extremism-needs-to-learn-important-maxim-of-poli
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