Regional Workshop on Community Empowerment for Raising Inclusivity and Trust through Technology Application (CERITA)
January 21-22, 2020
Jakarta, Indonesia
The United States Government through the ASEAN-USAID PROSPECT is supporting the Habibie Center’s program for Promoting Regional Resilience to Eradicate Violent Extremism through Inclusivity and Tolerance in ASEAN (PREVENT). The first activity under the program is today’s workshop on Community Empowerment for Raising Inclusivity and Trust through Technology Application (CERITA). The two-day workshop brings together 20 youth participants from all ten ASEAN Member States to learn proven storytelling techniques and facilitation skills to be applied in their communities. Through the training workshop, participants explore the concepts of identity, the importance of tolerance an solidarity and understanding different perspectives. Youth were selected based on their current status as youth leaders or their potential to become leaders. Following the workshop, youth will be expected to return to their communities to promote tolerance and appreciation to diversity—a key component to addressing the rise of violent extremism, particularly amongst vulnerable youth.
During this morning’s opening session, the facilitator, Mr. Rudi Sukandar, explained the process and anticipated flow of the workshop, which is purposefully informal, providing a café atmosphere, to allow participants to feel comfortable telling their stories. Creating a “safe space” is critical since participants will be learning how to facilitate dialogue on a range of sensitive issues such as race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, and faith. Participants also signed the CERITA Charter, laying out the norms of behavior over the course of the two-days—norms to ensure respect, tolerance, and comfort for all involved. During the initial session, facilitators introduced interactive games enabling participants to get to know each other on a more personal level. The workshop will conclude on day two with participants telling their personal stories to the full group.
Following the two-day workshop, the Habibie Center will carry out a series of ten Talking ASEAN programs across all ten ASEAN Member States. The discourse will focus on addressing violent extremism through inclusivity and tolerance. CERITA youth will participate along with government and ASEAN officials, civil society actors and organizations, academics, and private sector working toward preventing and combating violent extremism in their communities.