22 January 2025

Kenya and Indonesia exchange knowledge to tackle violent extremism

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Between January 26th and February 3rd, 2025, Mensen met een Missie, in collaboration with JISRA partners, will host a significant international knowledge exchange in Kenya. Government and civil society delegates from Indonesia, Kenya, and other African countries will join this in-person event to address a pressing global issue: how to localize strategies for preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE). This initiative, led by Mensen met een Missie together with partners from Kenya and Indonesia such as KECOSCE, AMAN Indonesia and Imparsial, aims to deliver tangible outcomes, including documented best practices for localizing PCVE strategies, a joint policy brief summarizing insights from Kenya and Indonesia, and a framework for future collaborations among participating governments. 

Catalysts for peace

Violent extremism threatens communities worldwide, yet solutions often remain out of reach for those on the frontlines. Kenya and Indonesia have demonstrated valuable knowledge and expertise in adapting national PCVE strategies to local contexts. These countries’ practical experiences and collaborative approaches make them focal points for this event, offering critical lessons for others tackling similar challenges. By drawing on their expertise, this exchange aims to amplify the voices of local leaders, foster mutual learning, and inspire scalable, practical strategies that other nations can emulate. 

At its heart, this event champions the belief that sustainable change begins at the grassroots level. It acknowledges that the most effective solutions come from those closest to the challenges — religious leaders, women, and youth who act as catalysts for peace and understanding in their communities. Collaboration with governments is also critical to achieving durable solutions. 

Indonesian organisation PeaceGeneration will also partake in the event

A platform for transformation

The exchange is part of a larger JISRA initiative that included two hybrid dialogues held in October and November 2024. These earlier discussions brought together civil society organizations (CSOs), religious leaders, government representatives, and community members to lay the groundwork for collaboration. The event in Kenya will build on these dialogues and aims to deliver concrete results, such as the creation of actionable models for PCVE localization and enhanced mechanisms for cross-country cooperation. 

Delegates will exchange learning on: 

  • Localizing PCVE strategies. 
  • Shared challenges in fostering inclusivity and resilience. 
  • Essential roles of women, youth, and interfaith leaders in countering violent extremism. 

The program will feature delegates from: 

  • Kenya: Local partners such as KECOSCE and the Technical University Mombasa, together with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). 
  • Indonesia: Representatives from organizations including IMPARSIAL, PeaceGeneration, and AMAN Indonesia, together with the Indonesian National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT). 
  • Nigeria: Delegates from JISRA partners DIWA and JPRM. 

This initiative also involves close collaboration with the Dutch embassies in Nairobi and Jakarta, highlighting the commitment of multiple stakeholders to fostering sustainable peace through innovative, localized solutions. 

The global significance of local action

Preventing violent extremism is a shared global responsibility, but success depends on tailoring approaches to specific cultural and local realities. This event underscores the power of localized efforts, showing how collaboration between communities, civil society and governments can lead to actionable insights and lasting impact. It also strengthens ties between participating nations, fostering trust and solidarity in the face of shared challenges. 

About JISRA

The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) is a partnership of 46 civil society organizations from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. This international interfaith partnership, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is implementing a five-year program (2021-2025) to promote peaceful and just societies where everyone enjoys freedom of religion and belief (FoRB). The program is coordinated by four international consortium partners: Mensen met een Missie (lead), Tearfund, Faith to Action Network, and Search for Common Ground. Together, JISRA emphasizes the importance of interfaith collaboration, grassroots engagement, and fostering societies where diversity is celebrated and peace is achievable. www.jisra.org