This project will provide free training, mentoring and support groups for young people to learn to resist extremism, and instead, build a just society free from violent conflict. Young people are taught to understand the roots of extremism, the reason for its attraction, ways to resist it, and how to help others resist it. They leave with the skills and confidence to build a peaceful future instead of just another tragic story.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of the main conflict zones in Pakistan. Sitting on the border of Afghanistan, everyone there has been affected by terrorism. The city is regularly rocked by suicide bomb attacks and the security situation remains desperate. Poverty and unemployment are high and the government is struggling to provide basic services and security. In this context, the message of radical violent groups such as the Taliban attracts many young people.
We will provide intensive residential training for 10 young people where they learn to understand and resolve conflict, and recognise about the dangers of extremism. They are trained to teach at risk young people in their communities how to resist extremism. They then go out and in their first year, train 10 young people who are at risk of Taliban recruitment. This is through a combination of peer mentoring, youth groups and teaching. This counters Taliban recruitment and extremism at the root.
If we can stop extremism before it begins we can not only prevent extremist attacks but also counter extremism in society. By supporting young people to resist extremism and empowering them to build a peaceful society, we can help them live safer lives now and in the future too. This project will help young people and in turn enable their families, communities and future generations to live in a just world free from violent conflict, and where their rights are respected.
