(New York, NY) – On October 17-18, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) hosted its conference, Building Alliances—Preventing Terror, in Brussels, Belgium. The conference featured discussions among senior policymakers, academics, and the private sector on topics including how to counter the spread of extremism and terrorist propaganda online, countering terror financing, and improving community and grassroots engagement.
Distinguished speakers for the two-day event included: EU Commissioner for the Security Union Sir Julian King; Nathalie Griesback, MEP and Chair of the EU Parliament’s Special Committee on Terrorism; Executive Director at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Sir John Jenkins; Dartmouth College Computer Science Professor Dr. Hany Farid; former British Head of Counterterrorism in the FCO Sir Ivor Roberts; and former Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski.
Click here to watch a highlight video of the conference.
Click below for news coverage of the event:
New Europe: Are Internet companies complicit in promoting hateful and harmful content: In this op-ed, Dr. Hany Farid argues that terrorists and extremists have weaponized the Internet and technology companies have been slow respond to the illegal activities on their platforms that have resulted in devastating consequences.
Guardian: We should stop tech firms from screenings extremist videos: In this op-ed, Sir Ivor Roberts argues that it is imperative for Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Twitter, as well as smaller online platforms, to employ technology and human monitors in sufficient numbers to remove illegal content quickly.
Deutsche Welle: EU introduces new measures to combat ‘low-tech’ terrorism: “The problem is, [European Security Commissioner Julian] King told the conference, that while tens of thousands of pieces of extremist material have been removed, hundreds of thousands are posted. Technology moves fast, but terrorists move faster.”
The Parliament Magazine: EU beefs up anti-terrorism funding: Commissioner Julian King said the funding would go to help national, regional and city authorities “protect public spaces.” The funding, he said, was part of a “significant package of counter-terrorist methods” unveiled by the Commission.
EurActiv: In Europe, a new wave of terrorism driven by social media: In this op-ed, former Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski notes that warfare today is increasingly unconventional. “In Western Europe, a new wave of terrorism is being driven by extremist propaganda and plots coordinated through social media.”
EU Reporter: Interview with Sir Ivor Roberts, former British Head of Counterterrorism in the FCO
EU Reporter: Interview with French terrorism expert Jean-Charles Brisard