THE CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) and the Commonwealth Secretariat have collaborated in an effort to build the capacity of over 110 participants from Trinidad and Tobago and over 300 regional participants to prevent and counter violent extremism in the Region, at a three-day course slated for July 23-25, 2019 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Titled: Preventing Violent Extremism Course in CARICOM, the course advances the CARICOM Counter Terrorism Strategy.
According to a CARICOM Secretariat release, over 130 persons have left the Region to support the Islamic State (IS) as foreign terrorist fighters. This presents an urgent threat that CARICOM governments are continuing to address.  (CARICOM IMPACS) and the Commonwealth Secretariat have also pledged support to the Region to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism. The police, military, customs, immigration, prisons, as well as government agencies, tertiary level academia, NGO’s and other regional organisations will benefit from both face-to-face and online video instruction, which will expose them to best practices and support measures. They will also be able to use this platform to discuss key concepts, international agreements and norms. International experiences and regional cooperation in preventing violent extremism is also an area of focus.

The participants will also be provided with an in-depth understanding of both CARICOM IMPACS and the Commonwealth Secretariat Counter Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism Programmes. A key objective of the ‘Preventing Violent Extremism Course in CARICOM’ is to build the capacity of stakeholders to develop innovative responses; while promoting the protection of freedom of expression, privacy and other fundamental freedoms.

It is expected that these efforts will provide a detailed understanding to manage returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters, counter terrorism financing and prevent the exploitation of social media and digital spaces. Funded by CARICOM IMPACS and the Commonwealth Secretariat, this initiative ensures that the Commonwealth Secretariat’s assistance package is in synergy with the CARICOM Counter Terrorism Strategy.