OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek supported two courses against intolerance and violent extremism for youth leaders

More than 50 young community leaders from across the country gathered for two in-person training courses, which took place from 14 to 18 June in Bishkek and from 27 September to 1 October in Osh. 

The courses are part of the Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) Initiative. LIVE builds the capacity of civil society – youth, women and community leaders – to prevent violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT).

The events were organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek in close consultation with the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD),

The courses emphasized the need to prevent violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and to reject the association of terrorism and violent extremism with any religion, nationality or ethnicity unequivocally, consistent with OSCE commitments.

Upon completion of the two training courses, participants will receive mentoring support from the LIVE facilitators to develop their own action ideas aimed to promote context-specific efforts in preventing VERLT. The group of graduates trained in June have already developed action plans. One of them is an initiative developed by a group of graduates to teach critical thinking for youth aged 15-18 in Chui province.

LIVE facilitators will also coach the participants in carrying out context and stakeholder analyses to ensure that the identified prevention ideas are locally relevant and safe.

The LIVE initiative has its roots in the 2015 OSCE Ministerial Council. The training model is designed to be used across the OSCE area. The LIVE Initiative consists of three training courses tailored to youth, women and community leaders across the OSCE area.