The Role of Formers in Countering Violent Extremism

This policy brief, published by The International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – The Hague (ICCT), examines the role former extremists and former combatants have in countering violent extremism (CVE). Various organisations and governments have utilised formers in CVE activities yet it remains unclear if and when formers can make a positive contribution to these efforts. The following brief brings together research on the subject to provide contexts in which formers do and do not play a positive role in CVE activities.

Thus, the aim is not to evaluate the effectiveness of programmes involving formers but to provide a conceptual tool for identifying which activities may be appropriate for formers in various CVE settings.

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