The National Coordinator for Countering Violent Extremism, Ms. Lejdi Dervishi, delivered remarks at the Community Engagement Forum on Security and the Prevention of Violent Extremism, held in the Municipality of Cërrik, within the framework of the program “Let’s Talk about P/CVE and Peacebuilding.”

This forum was organized by the Woman Center for D&C-Alb (WCDCA) in cooperation with the Municipality of Cërrik and the Local Education Office, with the support of ARSIS and the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism, and funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

In her panel remarks, Ms. Dervishi emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and highlighted the key role of youth as strategic partners in building peace and security within communities. She underlined that the active engagement of young people in activities that promote peace, culture, dialogue, and mutual respect is essential for building sustainable and resilient communities.

She also drew attention to the need for increased vigilance against threats that undermine community security, such as radicalization, violent extremism, disinformation, and hate speech—particularly in the online space.

In this context, Ms. Dervishi encouraged raising awareness and reporting concerning cases as an important preventive measure, stressing that cooperation among institutions, schools, parents, and young people themselves is crucial for identifying and addressing these risks in a timely manner.

A concrete example of the program’s success was the direct engagement of youth in conveying positive messages through art and free expression. A theatrical performance by students strongly opposed the phenomenon of radicalization, promoting values such as dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Additionally, monologue performances by young participants offered meaningful reflections on the risks of disinformation and online hate speech, demonstrating awareness and social responsibility.

The forum brought together institutional representatives, religious leaders, parents, teachers, and students, creating an open space for dialogue and cooperation to promote community safety and to build a more secure, inclusive, and resilient society.