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What we do
Our Approach

Leaving no one behind, not even terrorists

Critical to the operation of terrorist organizations are combatants and other personnel. We are working to prevent radicalization of people and areas at high risk of radicalization, and provide assistance to those who have already joined a terrorist organization before they become radical and reintegrate into society. We aim to resolve terrorism and conflict by reducing the human power of terrorist organizations at the field level.

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.

No one is born a terrorist, and we historically know that armed force alone does not help to end terrorism. That's why we use peaceful methods such as workshops, skill training and counseling 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.

Rather than implementing the program as a uniform program, we arrange the contents according to the real condition of each site and produce reliable results. In addition, we carefully monitor each individual's situation and enhance individual follow-up.

In addition to prevent radicalization in areas and people that are at high risk of radicalisation, we focus on a "de-radicalisation, reinsertion and reintegration project" for people who have once joined radicalised groups. The main targets are former terrorists in prisons and those just after release from prisons.
Providing psychological, economic, and social supports for those people who have high needs for supports, we attempt to prevent their re-radicalisation while supporting their new lives in local communities. We also aim to create an environment where once radicalized people can return to society, so that the number of surrenders from terrorist organisations can be increased.

  • 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.

  • Re-insertion & Re-integration

    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 such as income generation and build contacts with local communities, we focus on a psychological approach to foster their mindset. It is important to enable them to face severe situation just after release, which can be particularly problematic. In contrast to rehabilitation or correction, we consistently value an interactive and dialogue approach.

In both work of prevention and de-radicalisation, we take an approach to change minds and behavior through dialogue with them. While accepting the motives and background for choosing terrorist acts, we encourage them to choose other options rather than terrorism, which is highly illegal and harm others. For those purposes, we provide various workshops, counseling, and support for economic and social independence.

  • 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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