The major actors involved in violent extremism are vulnerable youth in unstable areas. This is especially the case in the Eastern Africa region. In this regard, Arigatou International – Nairobi in collaboration with the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and ICCO Cooperation facilitated a three day regional reflection forum with the theme “Deepening Cooperation in Countering Violent Extremism.” It sought to foster a deeper understanding of the drivers of youth radicalization into violent extremism in the region, and to generate recommendations aimed at sensitizing people working with youth to address the topic. Youth–centered approaches and intra/interfaith initiatives were utilized to enhance mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations between religious and other groups.
