Please consider using Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox.
28 March 2025, Islamabad – Funded by the Denmark Embassy in Pakistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), successfully conducted a three-day consultative workshop titled “Building Resilience: Harnessing Community Engagement and Guidance Tools to Prevent Violent Extremism in Youth.” The event, held in Islamabad from March 25 to 27, 2025, brought together experts and key stakeholders, including representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, and the public sector, to explore the role of sports in countering violent extremism (CVE) and promoting social cohesion among youth.
The workshop aimed to localize the UNODC Technical Sports Guide, offering a framework to leverage sports as a tool for preventing violence and radicalization among young people. The interactive sessions featured expert presentations, group discussions, and strategic dialogues on building partnerships and implementing effective frameworks. Twenty-six participants included representatives from national and provincial higher education and sports departments, as well as civil society organizations, six of whom were female.
The opening day established a foundational understanding of the intersection between sports and countering violent extremism (CVE). A session led by UNODC experts introduced UN handbooks and guidelines on sport-based prevention strategies. UNODC Sr. legal Consultant, Professor Syed Hussain Haider provided an in-depth overview of the UNODC Sport Technical Guide, outlining its core principles and methodologies.
Discussions on the second day revolved around developing strong partnerships with NGOs, CSOs, academic institutions, and grassroots organizations to ensure sustainable implementation. However, the 3rd and the concluding day featured a high-level panel discussion on monitoring and evaluation frameworks for sport-centric CVE initiatives.
Post group work, the participants presented their localized versions of the UNODC guide, followed by an insightful discussion on the next steps.
This workshop is an important milestone project, Strengthening Pakistan’s Response to Effectively Prevent the Spread of Violent Extremism Virtually and amongst Youth in Vulnerable Communities (SPRE). Supported by Denmark, the SPREE project underscores the importance of building legal and technical capacities to address the evolving challenges of cross-border crimes effectively.
The workshop underscored the commitment of UNODC and its partners to leveraging sports as a tool for positive social change. By fostering inclusive, community-driven approaches, the initiative aims to build resilience among youth and mitigate risks of violent extremism through structured, sport-based engagement.
The workshop concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony and closing remarks from the Advisor of UNODC, Syed Arslan, followed by a terminal iftar dinner.
