Empowering Civil Society and Survivors
CGCC believes that a vibrant civil society that provides individuals the opportunity to effect change through peaceful means is one of the most powerful anecdotes to the appeal of violent extremism.
CGCC works to highlight the important contributions of civil society to countering terrorism by raising awareness among government officials and civil society groups themselves about these contributions, in particular addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. CGCC has partnered with Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, to raise awareness of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy among civil society groups in Southeast Asia and has undertaken similar efforts in Africa and South Asia.
CGCC also has supported the work of the Global Survivors Network, a leading advocate for the role of survivors in effective counterterrorism efforts. Its groundbreaking documentary film, “Killing in the Name,” received numerous awards and was nominated for an Academy Award as best documentary short in 2011.
Latest
Events
VirtualExploring Implications of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on International Peace, Security, Finance, and Counterterrorism Efforts
The Global Center hosted an online discussion on exploring the implications of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine which brought together several experts to talk about the functioning of the UN Security Council, the ripple effects of sanctions and cryptocurrency, and the challenges of managing the return of foreign fighters participating...
Project
Safeguarding Civic Space while Countering the Financing of Terrorism in Eastern and Western Africa
The Global Center is leading a three-year initiative to advance policies and practices that safeguard civic space, human rights, humanitarian action, and access to financial services while countering the financing of terrorism. The initiative provides seed funding and capacity development support to civil society actors in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote...
Publications
A Blueprint for Civil Society-Led Engagement in UN Counterterrorism and P/CVE Efforts
This brief presents key recommendations for improving civil society engagement in UN counterterrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) efforts. It provides concrete steps that the United Nations and its member states can take to better engage civil society and offers a blueprint for civil society to advocate for...
Publications
Continuity Amid Change: The 2021 Mandate Renewal of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate
This policy brief examines keys issues UN Security Council members have to grapple with as part of the 2021 renewal of the mandate of the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). To support Security Council members in their reconsideration of CTED’s mandate this year, this policy brief by the...
Publications
Reckoning with the Consequences of Two Decades of Counterterrorism
This opinion piece in The Hill penned by executive director Eelco Kessels reflects on the twenty years since September 11th to underscore the urgency of restoring human rights and centering civil society in global security efforts....
Publications
What the Review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Tells Us About How Far We Have Come Since 9/11
Twenty years after 9/11, the upcoming 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September is sure to be a time for reflection on UN and global efforts to counter terrorism and prevent the spread of violent extremism. However, insights for the upcoming discussions can already be gleaned from...
Project
Enhancing Civil Society Engagement in UN Counterterrorism and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Efforts
The Global Center is undertaking a project to identify opportunities to strengthen the UN’s engagement with civil society in its efforts to counter terrorism and prevent the spread of violent extremism. The purpose of the project is to develop recommendations to enhance engagement between civil society and members of the...
Events
New York / Virtual and HybridThe Second Counter-Terrorism Week and High-Level Conference
The Global Center participated in and hosted events during the UN's Second Counter-Terrorism Week. From 21-30 June 2021, the United Nations organized the Second Counter-Terrorism Week and High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States to accompany the negotiations and adoption of the seventh review of the UN...
Publications
A ‘Whole of Society’ Approach? Exploring Civil Society Inclusion in National Frameworks to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism
This brief explores how civil society is included in national frameworks to prevent and counter violent extremism at different stages of the policy cycle, including in design, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. In doing so, the analysis contributes to a stocktaking of how international recommendations on civil society inclusion are...
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