How can the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), including the Internet and social media, for terrorist purposes be effectively countered? This is the focus of a public-private capacity building project, launched in 2016 and led by the Swiss foundation ICT4Peace and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). In January and February 2017, ICT4Peace was invited by the UN in Geneva and New York, respectively, to share preliminary findings of the ongoing project.
On 31 January 2017 in Geneva, Adam Hadley from ICT4Peace presented interim recommendations from Phase 1 of the joint project. During the seminar “Violent extremism online – a challenge to peace and security,” Mr. Hadley emphasised the importance of building upon existing efforts in this area. To access the full presentation, please click here. Other speakers included Mark Stephens, Independent Chair of the Global Network Initiative; Ambassador Kok Jwee Foo, Permanent Mission of Singapore to Geneva; and Ms. Wedad al Hassen, Senior Program Associate, Hedayah.
Mr. Stauffacher with ICT4Peace briefing the Counter-Terrorism Committee on 23 February 2017.
On 23 February 2017, Ambassador (retired) Daniel Stauffacher, founder and President of ICT4Peace, provided an update to the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee in New York. According to the plan of action for 2017, efforts will concentrate on two of the 9 core recommendations from Phase 1 of the project, namely to (i) continue to strengthen dialogue on the emerging normative framework by means of multi-stakeholder engagement through the convening of a regular programme of global stakeholder workshops, and (ii) to establish a Global Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building Platform focused on emerging policies and effective practice.
Additional information from ICT4Peace is available here.