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Countering Radicalisation Through Development Assistance: A Country Assessment Tool

Author: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Date: 2007
Size: 42 pages (370 KB)

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Summary

How can development assistance contribute to the fight against terrorism and radicalisation? This Country Assessment Tool (CAT) from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlines a range of political, security-related, socio-economic, religious and cultural responses to radicalisation. While interventions must be multi-dimensional and context-specific, action should focus on building productive local partnerships and promoting legitimacy and inclusiveness in governance and security structures.

Radicalisation is the adoption of intolerant or polarising viewpoints which may portray violence and terrorism as legitimate means to effect change. Poverty and religion are often mistakenly identified as ‘root causes’ of radicalisation. In fact, the phenomenon is more commonly linked to a social dislocations caused by transitions to a modern society.

The drivers of radicalisation can be split into four overlapping categories: political factors, security-related concerns, socio-economic issues and the cultural and religious dimension. The process of radicalisation of vulnerable groups can be analysed in three phases: underlying structural factors, more short-term motivational factors and immediate trigger events.

Demographic profiles of known radical groups provide a starting-point for identifying the circumstances in which individuals become radicalised. Disaffected, unemployed and excluded individuals, as well as those dependent on services run by radical groups, are particularly prone to developing violent role models and a desire for revenge.

Whilst programmes to counter radicalisation must be context-specific, certain principles can help inform interventions:

• Political interventions should focus on broadening representation and increasing inclusiveness and transparency. These may be effected through capacity-building in the civil service, a committed anti-corruption strategy and legal reforms which promote the rule of law and human rights.
• Security-related action should seek to increase the legitimacy and responsiveness of a state’s security apparatus. In post-conflict societies, it should promote demobilisation, demilitarisation and reintegration . National strategies should focus on promoting community policing, reducing incarceration rates, improving prison conditions and encouraging the rehabilitation of ex-combatants.
• Socio-economic strategies should aim for inclusive development and equitable economic growth. Social exclusion can be addressed by stimulating job creation, vocational training, access to education and broader availability of public services.
• Cultural and religious interventions should support local groups in the dissemination of non-violent world views in opposition to extremist ideologies. Public information campaigns should advocate tolerance. Dialogue should be established with radical groups and exit strategies should be offered to individuals wishing to abandon radicalism.

Development practitioners must avoid pre-conceived responses and aim for dialogue and cooperation in tackling particular instances of radicalisation:

• Donors should seek to understand the pre-existing non-governmental organisation (NGO) context in an area of intervention, identifying possible partners and isolating organisations that may have radical links.
• Local ownership of reform is critical. Donors should listen to the views of governments and communities in constructing anti-radicalisation strategies.
• Partnerships with national or community groups should be carefully organised to avoid discrediting them and to ensure a long-term response to radicalisation.
• In identifying partners, donors must prioritise groups’ adherence to human rights standards and not just their professionalism. Partners should be sought across many social groups, including diaspora organisations and religious charities.
• Coordination among the donor community working on issues of security and development should be sought to avoid counterproductive interventions and tensions with local communities.

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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, 2007 'Countering Radicalisation Through Development Assistance: A Country Assessment Tool', Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Copenhagen
Author: Mininstry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, http://www.um.dk/