The threat of violent extremism is more geographically dispersed and more localized than ever, yet the security-focused and other responses of national governments and multilateral institutions have not been and will not be sufficient to counter and prevent its spread. A more comprehensive and strategic approach that empowers local actors and focuses more attention on community-led interventions to address underlying drivers of the phenomenon is required. This involves, inter alia, the development and deployment of a more dynamic and complete set of policies and programs and the involvement of a more diverse set of actors, particularly at the local level, such as public health, mental health, or social services providers, parents, researchers, teachers, businesses, and women’s, religious, and youth leaders….(continue reading)