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What we do
Our Approach

Ｗe use peaceful approaches instead of by force

Why do people become terrorists? There is no textbook answer to this question. However there is something we do know. We know that when one feels violation of human rights, despair towards their future or current circumstances or one fears for their lives, violent radicalism arrises.

In 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States. This provides a pledge to ‘leave no one behind’ and a set of goals consisting of 17 objective and 169 targets to ‘end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all’ in the name of SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals.

The mentality of the pledge is the same for counter-terrorism and conflict resolution. We believe in the importance of accepting and leaning into those who have been neglected and rejected by society and the world. It is this approach that is essential to both eradicating terrorism and conflict resolution for a lasting world peace.

No one is born a terrorist. We at Accept International, face terrorism and conflicts to “accept” with a peaceful approach instead of using force.

Activity in Somalia
Activity in Kenya
Activity in Indonesia
Activity in Nigeria
Activity in China(Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region)
Activity in Japan

Area

We operate in areas where issues of terrorism and conflict are most severe, especially in areas where presence of organisations are scarce.

Currently, we conduct our projects mainly in Somalia, Kenya and Indonesia. So far, we have carried out projects in Nigeria and China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) as well. We have cooperated with local governments as well as international youth networks and organisations such as the United Nations.

We contribute to the termination of terrorism and resolving conflicts by “prevention of violent radicalisation” and “de-radicalisation and positive reintegration."When necessary, we also provide appropriate and sustainable aid towards people who have been neglected from society and the world in accordance with the circumstances.

In addition to projects focused on preventing radicalization of youth at a high risk for joining extremist organizations, we aim to establish a virtuous cycle by educating and reforming terrorists and gang members to become main actors of social change in our “projects of deradicalization and positive social reintegration of radicalized people."

  • De-Radicalization

    We provide support in the process of breaking away from extremist ideologies and highly illegal actions. In ideological de-radicalization, we change the idea that violent and illegal means to achieve religious and political convictions is justified while accepting and analysing both its process and system of thought. In terms of physical action, we break off people from terrorist activities and take them out of radicalised groups.

  • Positive Reintegration

    We encourage the target persons to support their livelihoods by themselves, and support them in facing the severe reality. In addition to practical economic and societal assistance, we focus on a psychological approach to foster their identities as main actors of positive social reformation. Below this approach, lies a strategic intent whereby we believe that this attitude will prevent re-radicalization, in contrast to just rehabilitation or correction.

Conventionally, armed conflicts have been resolved by the conclusion of a peace treaty. This is an approach done through dialogue between the concerned parties in the conflicts. However, in the face of the increasing number of conflicts that owes its origins to terrorist groups - this account for 44% of armed conflicts in the world - it is very difficult to engage in a dialogue, and the international community is increasingly in search for other approaches.

By providing a way and creating a path for terrorists and gang members that are responsible for violent conflicts to de-radicalise and actively reintegrate into society, we aim to encourage the combatants and persons concerned to defect and leave the radicalised groups. By preventing new members from joining such groups, we establish a positive virtuous cycle towards conflict resolution and eradication. Taking into account the fact that most of the terrorists and gang members are young, our projects aim to develop their full potential.

Our "De-radicalization and Positive Reintegration" program, which is recognized for its uniqueness, can be roughly devided into two; the “de-radicalization session" including workshops and social engagement activities, and “social reintegration follow-ups” including long-term monitoring and counselling. Our main targets are terrorists and defectors and we make sure to adapt the contents to the circumstances of the project site and situation in order to ensure a desirable outcome.

  • De-radicalization
    Disappointment Prevention Session

    The risk of re-radicalization can increase when defectors face the reality that things don’t work as well as they had expected. During this session, we discuss these possible barriers and seek solutions together so that we can minimize the risk of re-radicalization of ex-terrorists and gang members in advance.

  • De-radicalization
    Dialogue Session towards Reconciliation

    There are many cases where ex-terrorists and gang members do not recognize how members of the community think of them. This can create an emotional distance between the communities and them. We will invite leaders of the community and host a dialogue session so that both our participants and community leaders can deepen their mutual understanding of the present conditions.

  • Social Reintegration
    Skill Training / Life Skill Training Program

    With the aim to achieve financial and social independence of ex-terrorists and former gang members, we provide training for skillsets locally in demand and give support in finding employment. In addition, we put an emphasis on training real-life skills where we provide access to information and help them build relationships with others preparing them for the harsh realities ahead.

  • SSocial Reintegration
    Long-Term Counselling

    In order to promote social re-integration, we continue supporting ex-terrorists and gang members long after they complete our rehabilitation programs. We make sure to build a relationship where they can trust and feel comfortable to rely on us. Subsequently, we provide counselling and conduct monitoring on a regular basis. Furthermore, we support their re-integration by providing consulting for their business activities and investments.

You guys gave me hope.
You are ones that changed me.

ー Ex Somali Gang Member / Abdifatar

Born in 1991 in Kismayo, the southern part of Somalia, he fled to Kenya as a child when the civil war in Somalia intensified. As an illegal refugee, he found himself in a refugee camp in Nairobi around the Eastleight Area, where many Somali people lived. For the sake of his survival and protection of his comrades, he joined a Somali gang. In 2014, he joined our project. Although he used to earn his living by dealing Marihuana before joining our project, he now concentrates his energy on caring for other former-gang members as well as newcomers to our projects as staff.

  • UN-Habitat

    Hassan Abdicadir

    I really feel that Accept International is the answer to terrorism in Somalia and the rest of the world. Terrorist organizations tend to approach those who are left behind by the society. This is exactly why we have to care for those kind of people. Right now, commitment to places and people left behind from the world as well as governments is required. I hope that together with Accept International we can provide something of value.

  • Director of Tawakal Medical Clinic

    Mohammed Abdikadir

    We first started collaborating in 2013 and now I feel that the work of Accept International now plays a huge part in providing a solution for issues in Kenya and Somalia. The key to changing the radicalised youth lies in their identity self-respect. Their idea to change the youth of Somali into young leaders is unique and meaningful.

  • Ex Somali Gang Member

    Jenjes

    I joined the program of Accept International in the summer of 2015. Until then I had never been paid attention by society so I remember well how it came as a surprised to me that they accepted us without any prejudice. It was a meaningful time for me. Holding my certificate of completion, I did my best to find a job. Now, I work strenuously in a job with electronic equipments from morning to night.

I can easily imagine how I could be portrayed by the community.
Still, I want to start building my life again.

Ex-combatant of the Islamic militant group, Al-Shabaab/Abdi

Abdi was born in 1996 and raised in Baidoa, in the southwestern Bay region of Somalia. When his family members were killed at a young age, he started to live with his uncle. He was invited by a recruiter to join Al-Shabaab at a nearby mosque and also felt peer pressure by his friends. As a result, he became a member of Al-Shabaab. Although he spent one year at a training camp of Al-Shabaab, he made a decision to leave Al-Shabaab with his friends. He is currently taking part of our rehabilitation program.

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and terminating a conflict.

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