A pivotal step towards countering violent extremism and fostering peace has been taken with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (KPCECVE) and the Society for the Advancement of Nature, Justice, and Health (SANJH) Pakistan.
This collaborative endeavor seeks to craft context-specific strategies aimed at curbing violent extremism, empowering youth, and nurturing resilience within the targeted districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The signing ceremony, conducted in Peshawar, brought together key figures from both entities. Dr. Ayaz Khan, Chief Coordination Officer of KPCECVE, and Abbas Mehar, Chief Executive Officer of SANJH, formally sealed the agreement in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.
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In his address, Dr. Ayaz Khan spotlighted the profound role KPCECVE plays in promoting peace and tolerance within society. He delineated the forthcoming collaboration’s cornerstone, a comprehensive programmatic strategy titled ‘Roadmap to Resilience’. This strategy hinges on localized data and insights, strategically targeting the root causes of violent extremism in the designated districts while fostering inclusivity and diversity among the youth.
Under the auspices of this MoU, a series of fellowship programs will be launched to engage students and faculty from various universities including FATA University, Kohat University of Science and Technology, University of Karak, University of Bannu, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, and University of Peshawar.
These programs will concentrate on bolstering research skills, delving into the fundamentals of countering violent extremism (CVE), and devising evidence-based strategies to tackle this issue head-on.
Geared towards postgraduate students and faculty members, the fellowship programs’ eligibility and selection criteria will be fashioned through mutual accord and aligned with KPCECVE’s fundamental tenets.
As an integral aspect of the initiative, workshops and community engagements will be organized to encourage peaceful coexistence and foster consensus within communities. The interactive platform will enable stakeholders and participants to openly exchange ideas, constructively channeling efforts towards preventing violent extremism.
Abbas Mehar, CEO of SANJH, lauded the commendable endeavors of KPCECVE.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2023.
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