Global Youth Summit

On September 28, 2015, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) co-hosted the Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism in New York City with support from the White House and U.S. State Department. The Summit brought together 100 youth activists, government officials, and private sector experts from dozens of countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan to engage over new ideas on how to best build resilience against extremism.

The Summit included a Youth CVE Marketplace to showcase innovative CVE work being done by young people around the world as well as the announcement of the Global Youth Action Agenda to Prevent Violent Extremism and Promote Peace, which was presented to President Obama at the U.N. Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism on September 29. Microsoft and Facebook also led breakout discussions on improving youth employment prospects and using technology to counter online radicalization.

The Summit’s success reflects a key CEP goal—the recognition that youth, with government and private sector support, must play an important role in responding to the growing threat of extremism.

Reports & Publications

May 2016
Department of State & USAID Joint Strategy on
Countering Violent Extremism

In May 2016, the U.S. State Department and USAID released their first ever joint strategy on countering violent extremism (CVE). The strategy provides a roadmap for mobilizing the United States’ diplomatic and development tools for CVE. A key means of achieving the overall strategic objectives will be to empower and engage with youth:

“State and USAID will expand and enhance programs targeting youth who are identified to be at high risk of radicalization and recruitment to violent extremism. State and USAID will support programs that build a sense of belonging, community and purpose. USAID will design programs to support youth empowerment, nurture networks, skills development, and civic and economic opportunities. State and USAID also will support programs that train and mobilize youth to serve as leaders in their communities and globally in the work of CVE.” (pg. 10)

Carrying forth the work of the White House CVE Summit agenda, the new USAID-State Department strategy coupled with their previous support for CEP’s Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism in September 2015 demonstrates their continued commitment to youth.

Youth leaders from around the world present a "Youth Action Agenda" to Prevent violence and Promote Peace at the Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism in September 2015.

Participating Organizations

Photo Gallery

Youth Participant Profiles

Achaleke Christian Leke, Cameroon
Achaleke Christian Leke is a youth civil society activist from Cameroon and serves as the National Coordinator of Local Youth Corner Cameroon.

Adam Matan, UK & Somalia
Adam Matan is the Managing Director of the Anti-Tribalism Movement, an organization that seeks to combat prejudice, tribalism and violence around the world.

Ahmed Hadji, Uganda
Ahmed Hadji is a team leader at the Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum, a faith and youth development organization that works to promote peace and justice.

Daouda Zalle, Burkina Faso
Daouda Zalle is a freelance film producer who trains young people to use basic film equipment to produce films on issues related to violent extremism.

Ilwad Elman, Somalia
Ilwad Elman is a social activist and serves as the Director of Programs and Development at the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in Mogadishu.

Salif Romano Niang, Mali
Salif Romano Niang is the co-founder of Timbuktu Renaissance, which is a platform that uses culture and the arts to combat against violent extremism.

Sayed Ali Abbas Zaidi, Pakistan
Sayed Ali Abbas Zaidi is the founder and chairperson of Pakistan Youth Alliance, which is a network of progressive youth activists working to counter extremism.

Widyan Fares, Australia
Widyan Fares is a reporter and project manager for Multicultural NSW. She manages The Point Magazine, an interactive website that covers topics related to countering violent extremism.

Yousef Assidiq, Norway
Yousef Assidiq is the co-founder of JustUnity, which works to prevent radicalization and extremism as well as conduct de-radicalization programs.

Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

In Their Own Words:

We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].

Abu Ali al-Askari, Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) Security Official Mar. 2023
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