Turbat, The Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) conducted a comprehensive four-day youth training program in Turbat under its flagship Youth Engagement and Resilience Initiative (YERI) Project.
This initiative aimed to enhance the capacities of young individuals to prevent and counter violent extremism (PVE/CVE).
YERI is funded by the European Union and supported by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The training was aimed at exploring PVE and CVE Strategies focused on building awareness around violent extremism, exploring its root causes, and equipping youth with tools to become proactive peace ambassadors within their communities. The participants engaged in critical thinking exercises, discussions, and scenario-based learning tailored to their specific contexts.
The training was also dedicated to hands-on engagement with an innovative E-learning platform. This E-learning platform provided self-guided modules covering essential topics such as positive thinking, interfaith harmony, diversity and inclusion, responsible internet usage, and strategies for ensuring accuracy in online spaces.
Notably, the platform empowered users to report hate speech and other forms of violent content encountered online, aligning with international efforts to combat online hate speech and promoting a proactive approach to digital safety. Zulqarnain a participant of the training said “Today’s youth can not only raise their voices through social media, but also play a vital role in shaping a peaceful society.
We must avoid hateful content and false information, and instead spread the message of moderation, tolerance, and peace’’. He emphasized that young people should use social media to promote education, harmony, and awareness. Naaila Rafiq a participant from Baluchistan said that extremism doesn’t just come from weapons; it also originates from hateful ideas.
We must promote tolerance, positive thinking, and dialogue in our words, posts, and social media behavior. Young people should use social media to further education, harmony, and awareness. Anees-ur-Rehman, resource person for the YERI training emphasized that countering violent extremism requires a proactive, inclusive approach addressing root causes like marginalization, misinformation, and lack of opportunity.
He highlighted that extremism thrives in environments of fear, ignorance, and exclusion, making education, dialogue, and community engagement essential components of the response. The Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) is a membership-based network comprising national and international NGOs and individual professionals. Established to promote sustainable development, HRDN empowers its members by offering opportunities for capacity building, networking, and knowledge-sharing.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
