High-level Thematic Conversation on Children and Youth affected by Violent Extremism

OPENING SESSION

Moderator: Prof. Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

H.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70^thSession of the General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar
H.E. Mr. Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security and Home Affairs, Kingdom of Belgium
H.E Mr. Tiémoko Touré, Minister for Youth Promotion, Employment of Young People and Civic Service, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. Zaad AlKhair, 17-year old Syrian Refugee (video message)

HIGH-LEVEL INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION I: Preventing Children and Youth from Radicalization

The panelists will focus on a number of the “push and pull” factors that may lead to radicalization. Panelists will be asked to present examples of good preventative practices, discuss challenges, and assess effectiveness and initiative.  Presenters will also be asked to address how children and youth (including young women and girls) can be key actors in building resilience within their communities and in developing remedies and solutions. 

PANELISTS

Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands
Mr. Ahmed Abaddi, Secretary-General, Rabita Mohammadia des Oulemas, Morocco
Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict

HIGH-LEVEL INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION II: From Radicalization to Violent Extremism

The panel will address context and point out risk factors – global and local that could push radicalized children and youth into violent extremism. The panel will also discuss lessons learned on ways to protect the rights of children and youth and to prevent them from falling into violent extremism.

PANELISTS

Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, SG’s Envoy on Youth
Dr. Omar Ashour, Director, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, UK
Mr. Herman Deparice-Okomba, Executive Director, Montreal’s Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence, Canada

HIGH-LEVEL INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION III: Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration 

The panel will focus on sharing good practices and persisting challenges in promoting rehabilitation and social integration of children and youth who got involved with violent extremism and crime as well as in the response of criminal justice systems.

PANELISTS

Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, UNODC
Mr. Ercan Nik Nafs, Ombudsman for Children and Youth, Vienna
Mr. Mubinoddin Shaikh (PhD candidate), former Taliban radical
Mr. Jehangir Khan, Director CTITF

HIGH-LEVEL INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION IV: Multi-stakeholder Efforts

The session will address current efforts undertaken by UN agencies, foundations and private sector to support Member States to effectively deal with children and youth associated with violent extremist groups, including terrorist groups.

PANELISTS

Mr. Mossarat Qadeem, The Institute for Inclusive Security
Mr. Mohammed AbdulAziz Al Naimi, CEO Silatech Foundation, State of Qatar
Colonel Yahya Abu Mughaied, Director of Research, Prince Mohammed Bin Naif Center for Counseling and Care, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr. Mike Jobbins, Director of Global Affairs and Partnerships, Search for Common Ground

CLOSING REMARKS

H.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70^th Session of the General Assembly

RECEPTION (EAST LOUNGE)

by invitation only