From 28 January – 1 February 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a program in Kathmandu, Nepal, titled “Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing: Best Practices.” The seminar was designed to help participants evaluate and analyze the nature and dynamics of significant community policing challenges, especially in the realm of violent extremism, and deliberate on building counter-narratives to extremism.

The program started with welcome remarks from Dr. Roger Kangas, Academic Dean, NESA Center; Dr. Hassan Abbas, Course Director and Distinguished Professor of International Relations, NESA Center; and Dr. Nishchal Pandey, Director of South Asia Studies, Nepal. Dr. Hassan Abbas moderated the sessions along with Dr. Jennifer Jefferis, Adjunct Professor, NESA Center; Ellie Bird Lenawarungu, Former Chief Inspector, UK Police; Dr. William Lawrence, Professor, American University; LTC Luan Keka, Director of Counterterrorism, Kosovo Police; and Dr. Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi, India.

The speaker table with Dr. Hassan Abbas in the center, Dr. Houda Abadi to his right, Dr. Nishchal Pandey to his left, and Ellie Bird Lenawarungu to the far left.

The week started with presentations on the “Scope and Dynamics of Countering Violent Extremism” from Dr. William Lawrence, Professor, American University; Dr. Jennifer Jefferis focusing on Countering Violent Extremism in the U.S.; and case studies about Counterterrorism from Jawwad Qamar, Federal Investigation Agency, Pakistan; and LTC Luan Keka, Director of Counterterrorism, Kosovo Police.

Dr. Jennifer Jefferis speaking during the session.

The following day’s presentations continued with a focus on the “Dynamics and Strategies of Community Policing” with Ellie Bird Lenawarungu, Former Chief Inspector, UK Police; Dr. Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi, India; Amna Baig, Superintendent, Pakistan Police, and Dr. Hassan Abbas.

Amna Baig, Superintendent of the Pakistan Police during her presentation.

On Wednesday, the group went to the International Buddhist Academy in Nepal to discuss the “Buddhist Teachings about Peace and Religious Harmony” with Dr. Jorden, Abbot of the International Buddhist Academy. The group continued for a tour at the Boudhanath Temple and then to the Nepal Police Academy for a briefing. The day concluded with “Regional Perspectives on Best CVE Approaches” presentations from Dr. Nishchal Pandey, Director of South Asia Studies, Nepal, and Dr. Pramod Jaiswal, Research Director, Nepal Institute for International Engagement and Cooperation.

Group photograph during the 2024 Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing Program at the National Police Academy.

The final day of the seminar started with a session on “A Way Forward” with Dr. Houda Abadi, Founder and Director of Transformative Peace. After a networking break, participants presented their take on strategies for countering violent extremism.

Twenty-six participants attended the seminar, and 36% of the class were women. Participants were from the following ten countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States.

Read about the previous Community Oriented Policing and Countering Violent Extremism Seminar held in July 2023.

The views presented in this article are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components.