TRIPOLI — The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) supports local authorities and communities to build peace through better opportunities and increased trust.

Today, together with the Libyan Counter Terrorism Centre, UNDP has launched a new report to further understand the causes of violent extremism in vulnerable communities, especially in the southern borderlands.

UNDP hopes the country can use these insights to improve public policy and investments, which drive inclusion and social cohesion, crucial to development in Libya.

During the event, experts discussed how national and international actors could work closely with local authorities and civil society organizations to foster a culture of prevention that increases opportunities for young people.

Head of the Libyan Counter Terrorism Centre, Gen. Mohamed Bashir Saleh said, “We are working using the Libyan Strategy to prevent terrorism by covering important axes by focusing on the role of women, youth and other segments.

“The strategy pays great attention to educational aspects that cultivate a spirit of love and development among students at schools.”

Violent extremism is complex and multifaceted. According to the report, there is a link between the growth of violent extremism among vulnerable populations notably youth and limited socioeconomic opportunities and weak civic engagement.

This is the case throughout the country, but with particularly strong expressions in the south.

According to the report, people in the south are more susceptible to violent extremism, as among other factors, they experience socio-economic hardship six time more frequently than people in the north and the east.

At the launch, Christopher Laker, UNDP’s deputy resident representative for program, highlighted that “focusing on policies and programs that promote long-term sustainable change at the community level based on a solid understanding of vulnerabilities is key to affecting positive change in Libya.

“This is particularly true for formal and vocational education and its links with the labor market. UNDP is pleased to partner with public and private sectors to help create jobs and support businesses, which are motors of employment at the local level. Large companies have a tremendous role to play.”

UNDP continues to accompany authorities to restore essential service delivery and livelihoods opportunities for over 20,000 people in Libya and will take the lessons learned from this report to improve the design of programs to build trust between citizens and authorities.

It will also in supporting job creation and participation in the decision-making process, using prevention and mediation efforts, and promoting inclusion and tolerance. — Agencies