Can a social network fight 'extremism'?

A new project aims to counter 'violent extremism' by connecting former self-identified extremists with 'at risk' youths.

Self-identified former "extremists" and survivors have formed a social network aimed at helping young people avoid political violence and gang culture. The Against Violent Extremism network believes that radicalization is less of a religious and ideological issue and more about the challenges faced by youth around the world. The site highlights individuals who once participated in violence and have subsequently renounced it, with the goal of preventing ‘at risk’ youths from embracing violence and helping others leave violent groups.

In this episode of The Stream, we talk to Arno Michaelis, Executive Director of Life After Hate, and Tahir Malik, Director of Pakistan Terrorism Survivors Network, about the project.

What do you think of the network? Are there situations where the use of violence is legitimate? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

View the story "Can a social network fight 'extremism'?" on StorifyCan a social network fight 'extremism'?A new project aims to counter 'violent extremism' by connecting former self-identified extremists with 'at risk' youths.Storified by The Stream · Mon, May 07 2012 13:41:03undefinedStaticflickrLast month saw the web launch of "Against Violent Extremism," a new social network for those who identify as former perpetrators and survivors of "violent extremism."Against Violent Extremism: The Story of AVEgoogleFrom the site's description:AVE uses technology to connect, exchange, disseminate and influence all forms of violent extremism (from far right and far left to al-Qaeda-linked and inspired and gangs). It leverages the lessons, experiences and networks of individuals who have dealt first-hand with extremism. Through the website and YouTube channel, members can stay in touch, share ideas, collaborate, find investment and partners, and project their messages to wider audiences.

The network already includes former members of the white power movement and street gangs from the US, former members of Islamic groups from Indonesia, and Muslim former members of a London gang. AVE aims to have 500 members in its first year and over one thousand by the end of its second year. Portraits of other participants are available here.

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The premise of the network is that those who have participated in violence in the past and renounced it (known in AVE as "formers") have the ability to inspire others to do the same, either by preventing young people from participating in violent groups or by supporting individuals leaving them.

The Formers - An Introductiongooglevideos

AVE includes resources for many different users, including maps for survivors and "formers" to locate one another (shown below), personal profiles, forums for dialogue, and a Kickstarter-type programme to match funders or experts with projects in need of support.

undefinedStaticflickr"The Formers" responded to the mass killings in Norway with this press release condemning the violence.undefinedStaticflickr

The "Against Violent Extremism" YouTube channel will also allow activists to upload clips to start discussions.

undefinedStaticflickrThe network was seeded at the 2011 Summit Against Violent Extremism, a conference for "formers," survivors, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists.SAVE - Closing FilmgooglevideosundefinedAgainstviolentextremismThe summit was a brainchild of Google Ideas director Jared Cohen (shown below), a former US State Department adviser who was reportedly one of the primary advocates of using technology to promote democracy, which became known as "21st century statecraft." A press release for AVE stated that its "private sector and non-profit foundation support avoids some of the potential perceived conflicts of interest faced by initiatives funded by governments."undefinedStaticflickrBelow, the story of one survivor.Tahir's StoryglobalsurvivorsThe network, however, is not without its critics. Jonathan Githens-Mazer, a professor of politics at the University of Exeter, attended the Summit Against Violent Extremism and had this to say about the event:Google Ideas, Google's think-and-do-tank, wants to combat violent extremism by having extremists and policy makers learn from those who have renounced violence. All fine until you get to the detail: the program is to understand violence as a result of psychological need rather than taking seriously the claims of injustice made.Google’s SAVE event represented a deliberate attempt to conflate gang violence and neo-Nazi skinhead violence with Islamically inspired violence – as though because they all included the word violence, they were the same phenomenon.The Stream spoke with Amanda Lindhout, a Canadian journalist-turned-activist who was kidnapped by Somali fighters while reporting in 2008.Amanda Lindhout 1ajstreamWhen asked about criticism of the network, Lindhout said she thinks that there is a value in finding the commonalities between different forms of "extremism":Amanda Lindhout 2ajstream

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Can a social network fight 'extremism'?

Can a social network fight 'extremism'?

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