About the GCTF

The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) is an informal, apolitical, multilateral counterterrorism platform. It is small, nimble, inclusive, and consensus-based. Its overarching mission is to reduce the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by mobilizing expertise and resources to prevent, combat, and prosecute terrorist acts and counter incitement and recruitment to terrorism. 

The Forum brings together policymakers and practitioners from around the world to share experiences and expertise, and to develop practical, publicly available tools and strategies on how to prevent and counter the evolving terrorist threat. The GCTF is currently co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union. 

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What is the GCTF?

News

The recently held Thematic Expert Workshop for the Education for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Initiative brings invaluable insights and innovation to the domain

The recently held Thematic Expert Workshop for the Education for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Initiative brings invaluable insights and innovation to the domain

25 April 2024

On 25 April, the GCTF Initiative on Education for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism, led by the European Union and Morocco, with Hedayah as Implementing Partner, held a Thematic Expert Workshop in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop enabled GCTF Members and experts to exchange insights, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to education as a valuable tool to prevent and counter violent extremism conducive to terrorism (P/CVE). Read more »
Progress made on the 2016 GCTF Good Practices Addendum during border security and management workshop in Rome.

Progress made on the 2016 GCTF Good Practices Addendum during border security and management workshop in Rome.

16 and 17 April 2024

On 16 and 17 April, the GCTF Border Security and Management (BSM) Initiative Leads Jordan, the United States and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), convened the second BSM Initiative workshop in Rome, Italy, to continue to develop the Addendum to the 2016 GCTF Good Practices in the Area of Border Security and Management. The Initiative aims to promote an inclusive and collaborative approach towards border security, grounded in respect for human rights and the rule of law.

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Want to be part of the GCTF family? The IIJ is hiring consultants to support research needs for the GCTF CJ-RoL Working Group’s activities!

Want to be part of the GCTF family? The IIJ is hiring consultants to support research needs for the GCTF CJ-RoL Working Group’s activities!

5 April 2024

Vacancies available at the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), a GCTF-Inspired Institution to support the GCTF CJ-RoL Working Group activities

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On International Women’s Day: Spotlighting gender-sensitive approaches to counterterrorism and P/CVE.

On International Women’s Day: Spotlighting gender-sensitive approaches to counterterrorism and P/CVE.

08 March 2024

Women and girls are fundamental in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. To celebrate International Women’s Day, the GCTF highlights the role of women in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism as well as the extensive work done by the GCTF to promote gender-sensitive approaches in counterterrorism efforts in good practices and toolkits.

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Activities

Detention and Reintegration Working Group - Workshop on Education, Life Skill Courses and Vocational Training for Incarcerated Violent Extremist Offenders

Detention and Reintegration Working Group - Workshop on Education, Life Skill Courses and Vocational Training for Incarcerated Violent Extremist Offenders

7-8 October 2015

The workshop concentrated on the design, implementation, and evaluation of cognitive skills programs, basic education courses and vocational training that can be offered to violent extremist offenders (VEOs) during imprisonment, as part of their rehabilitation programming.

Presentations and interactive discussions were centered around six main themes, including:

  • the initial assessments of VEOs as a method to comprehend their background and needs in prison, as well as the elements necessary to create a beneficial prison environment that encourages learning and positive progress among terrorist prisoners;
  • the provision of basic education in prison;
  • vocational skills development and employment assistance for VEOs;
  • psychological and spiritual development of VEOs;
  • the role of arts, sports, and culture;
  • and the training, vetting, and monitoring of prison staff and volunteers providing the programs.

Several of the recommendations of this workshop, and other workshops in this series of DR Working Group activities, will be used in the training program that the Global Center is developing in close partnership with the Governments of Australia, Indonesia and future partner countries. The training program will help equip prison officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage terrorist prisoners and prevent radicalization to violent extremism in the prison system.

More links

P/CVE Policy Toolkit: Gender Analysis & the Evidence Base

P/CVE Policy Toolkit: Gender Analysis & the Evidence Base

The GCTF Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group, Co-Chaired by Australia and Indonesia and supported by the Global Center on Cooperative Security, held a series of three virtual workshops to inform the development of the Gender and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Policy Toolkit.

Workshop on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (RFTFs)

Workshop on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (RFTFs)

TURIN - Italy - The GCTF’s Detention and Reintegration and Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Groups and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) teamed up with experts in Turin to discuss the ways forward on the rehabilitation and reintegration of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (RFTFs).

Countering Violent Extremism Working Group - The Role of Family is Critical in Preventing Violent Extremism

Countering Violent Extremism Working Group - The Role of Family is Critical in Preventing Violent Extremism

ABU DHABI - United Arab Emirates – On 23-25 May 2016, under the auspices of the GCTF’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group, Hedayah, the International Center of Excellence for CVE, hosted a workshop on the P/CVE roles of families. 

Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group - Workshop on Identifying and Countering Terrorist Recruiters and Facilitators

Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group - Workshop on Identifying and Countering Terrorist Recruiters and Facilitators

WASHINGTON D.C. - United States - The Criminal Justice and Rule of Law (CJ-ROL) Working Group convened an expert meeting in Washington on 25-26 April to discuss ways to identify and counter terrorist recruiters and facilitators. 

UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – GCTF Border Security Initiative Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa

UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – GCTF Border Security Initiative Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Under the auspices of the joint United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) – GCTF Border Security Initiative (BSI), the Government of Kenya hosted the first Regional Workshop on the Horn of Africa (HOA), on 3-4 December 2015, in Nairobi.

Second Detention and Reintegration Working Group - Plenary Meeting

Second Detention and Reintegration Working Group - Plenary Meeting

SYDNEY - Australia - On 2-3 November 2015, Australia hosted the GCTF’s Detention and Reintegration Working Group second plenary meeting in Sydney.

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