National Strategy and Action Plan on Countering Violent Extremism discussed at OSCE roundtable in Tetovo

Representatives of the municipal administration, local institutions, civil society, education sector, youth, women as well as religious and local community leaders gathered at an OSCE roundtable in Tetovo on 19 November 2018 to discuss the  implementation of the National Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Strategy and Action Plan at the local level.

The activity, organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje in co-operation with the National Co-ordinator for Countering Violent Extremism and Counter-Terrorism, is a first in a series of ten roundtable discussion, planned to be held throughout the country.

“The OSCE recognizes the need to place local stakeholders at the forefront of prevention efforts, as part of a whole-of-society approach,” said the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Jeffrey Goldstein.

Goldstein said that supporting the development of resilient and socially cohesive communities can be the best defense against violent extremism taking root. “While working together, communities can counter the corrosive appeal of violent extremism by promoting tolerance, mutual respect, pluralism, inclusion, and cohesion. These are the core values and principles of the OSCE: only through dialogue can we bridge our differences,” he said.

The OSCE Mission previously assisted the government with public consultations for the drafting of the National Strategy on Countering Violent Extremism and the Action Plan in March 2018.

Apart from Tetovo, similar discussions will take place in the following municipalities, Skopje, Cair, Gostivar, Veles, Strumica, Kumanovo, Struga, Kichevo, Prilep and Shtip.