Morocco and the European Union (EU) launched, on the occasion of the 21st meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, held Thursday in Cairo, an initiative on “Education for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism,” in partnership the Global Center for Excellence in Countering Violent Extremism “Hedayah.”
In a video announcing this initiative, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, highlighted the role of education as a powerful tool to prevent and counter radicalism and violent extremism and to eradicate extremist ideologies that breed in volatile environments.
Bourita stated that access to education allows individuals to develop the skills necessary to question extremist narratives and ideologies and promote peace.
The Foreign Minister noted that this initiative reflects the privileged partnership and commitment of Morocco and the European Union (EU) to promoting peace, security, and development.
For his part, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, stressed that this initiative will assist in the development of more tolerant and resilient communities against terrorism and violent extremism.
As part of this two-year initiative, customized Training of Trainers (ToT) programs will be designed and delivered to educators to build learners’ resilience against violent extremism.
A series of indicators will be created and implemented with the aim of assisting and supporting government efforts to monitor and assess programs and policies for preventing and countering violent extremism in education.
Morocco handed over the presidency of the Coordinating Committee of the Global Counterterrorism Forum to Egypt, following the Kingdom’s three consecutive terms, jointly with the Netherlands between 2015 and 2019, Canada (2019 – 2022), and the European Union (EU) since September 2022 up until the handover.
Egypt will chair the Forum jointly with the European Union until 2025.
During its chairmanship of the Forum, Morocco carried out coordination tasks and played a pioneering and effective role in promoting a collective approach within the Forum.
Morocco’s approach to the management of the Forum’s work was also characterized by cooperation, teamwork, efficiency, and firm commitment to the principles of international solidarity and cooperation, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s pioneering role as a responsible and effective actor at the international multilateral level.
In this respect, Morocco expressed its firm commitment to defending Africa’s priorities within the framework of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, to provide innovative, adaptable, and dynamic responses to security and stability challenges facing the continent.