Countering Violent Extremism in a Changing World Order: Devolution Within Canada’s Multilateralist Approach

Abstract

The ever-evolving nature of violent extremism, terrorist groups and other violent non-state actors (VNSAs) has forced states and international organizations to respond in dynamic ways to emergent threats. In particular, the evolution of the Internet and the increasingly common occurrence of lone-actor attacks (inspired by larger online extremist movements), has challenged the ability of states and their national security agencies to pursue effective counter-terrorism (CT) strategies that were previously designed around addressing group-based threats. To respond to emergent trends, governments have looked to international organizations and fora and an increasing broad range of domestic actors (e.g., civil society) who can mobilize the necessary resources for the prevention of terrorist threats. As a long time advocate for multilateralist engagement around international peace and security, the Canadian government is involved in international organizations that seek to address challenges related to violent extremism and terrorism. Canadian participation in, for instance, the New Zealand and French-led Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online is one example of recent Canadian efforts. The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) is another contemporary priority area for the government. These international initiatives have been paired with domestic efforts to develop localized responses to violent extremism within the policy area known as preventing and countering violent extremism or “P/CVE”.