District level meeting with relevant government and local government representative to mainstream Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) initiatives through local government, was held under YPSA-CEVEC Project (Community Engagement in Countering Violent Extremism in Chattogram Division), on 13 June at the Arunodoy School Hall Room, Cox’s Bazar.
The Deputy Director of Local Government of Cox’s Bazar Mr. S.M Ferdous Islam was present as the Chief guest at the occasion.
Since 2016, YSPA has been implementing a project “Community Engagement in Countering Violent Extremism in Cox’ Bazar (CEVEC) in Eight Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar District with the support of GCERF. From November 2019, the second round of the project is being implemented in four Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district (Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Chakria and Maheshkhali) and Sitakund upazila of Chittagong district and in this period of Round – 2 extension YPSA is being implementing the project activities in same location as Round-2 from July 2022 to December 2023. Sustainability of Community Engagement in Countering Violent Extremism in Chattogram Divison Project continued from September 2023 to June 2024.
The program was chaired by Mrs. Khaleda Begum, Team Leader of the YPSA-CEVEC Project and Mr. Mohammad Harun, Project Coordinator (Field Operation) moderated the event.
As the program were focused on to mainstream PVE initiatives through local government the Chairman and Panel Chairman from Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Eidgaon, Moheskhali, Chakaria Upazila Union Parishad were present at the program.
At the welcome speech Mr. Jishu Barua, Program Manager, YPSA welcome all the guests and express his gratitude for their time for the event. He also discussed about the project modality and the main purpose of the program.
The program was designed Introducing the participants, Welcome Speech, Video Display, Power Point Presentation, Group works, and Remarks of Chef Guest and Closing. Team Leader and PC-Operation moderated the sessions.
After the Video displaying and PowerPoint presentation the session were open for all for open discussion where the participants shared their thoughts in the PVE issue. The participants said that, ‘the most vulnerable and targeted group of extremism is the youth. So we have to give an importance to look after the youth. We have to make a good environment for them and encourage them in sports, study and cultural events. We have to establish playgrounds, libraries, cultural institutions so that they can pass a fruitful time in there’.
Beside that the participants said that, they will discuss PVE issues in the social events and public gathering so that they can make aware the community people on PVE issues. They also said that they will follow up the Mosque and education institutions so that the religious leaders and the teachers discuss PVE issues in the religious events and in the class rooms. They also wrote their ideas during the Group works.
At the chief guest speech the Honorable Deputy Director of Local Government of Cox’s Bazar Mr. S.M Ferdous Islam discussed the points that identified from open discussion. He appreciated YPSA’s activities to work at the grassroots level. He also point out the Local Government Bodies role and responsibilities in preventing violent extremism. He said, ‘Sometimes the religious leaders discuss about over thinking issues and it hurts in religious feelings. So that we have to be aware on it and request the religious leaders to discuss PVE issues as they are the most respectable person in our society’.
He also mentioned that, to make a peaceful society the local government bodies are the idol to us. As they are the community representatives. Community people obey their voices and command. So they have to discuss the bad impact of the violence and extremism so that the community people can aware on it. He wishes that, all the participants of the event will take their own initiatives on PVE issues in their community.
At the end of the program Ms. Khaleda Begum, team leader of YPSA-CEVEC project expressed her gratitude and thanks to all the participants for their present, involving themselves at the project activities also requested to continue their ideas as the mentioned in during Group Work, she close the meeting by giving ‘Vote of Thanks’ the success of meeting.
