Statement of Norway, May 11, 2016

Governments have the primary responsibility for preventing extremism, but they can only succeed if  they work closely with civil society, including with young people and women. That is why Norway has initiated the launch of two civil-society networks. First, there is YouthCAN, which is a network of young people working together against violent extremism, not least by developing alternative narratives. Secondly, we have established an alliance of women’s organizations. Many of the women in the alliance have suffered directly from extremism in places like Syria and Iraq. There can be no more qualified and credible voices in speaking out against terrorism than its victims and witnesses. Norway will continue to work with these networks and help them expand.