International Conference On Terrorist Rehabilitation

WELCOME REMARKS
Welcome Remarks
Ambassador Barry Desker, Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of
International Studies, Nanyang Technological University,
welcomed all the delegates and speakers to the first
International Conference on Terrorist Rehabilitation.
Addressing the audience, Ambassador Desker said that
today there was recognition that terrorism is a vicious byproduct
of ideological extremism. And hence to win the
fight against terrorism, direct action as well as engagement
is needed. He added that although the military, law
enforcement and intelligence services play a role, the
community is what ultimately mattered. Ambassador
Desker then commented on the need to be strategic in
both vision and mission.
Ambassador Desker said that alongside proactive
measures aimed at the prevention of the formation of
extremists, it is also necessary to counter the ideology of
terrorism. This entails that those who have fallen prey to
extremism must be rehabilitated. Rehabilitation is required
in order to stop the vicious cycle of the spread of extremism
from an extremist to his friends and family.
Ambassador Desker then elaborated on the strategies that
would be effective in preventing radicalization. He said
that, for an effective, multi-pronged approach towards
preventing radicalization, the government, policy-oriented
scholars and the community need to work hand-in-hand.
The government needs to set clear goals towards the
importance of curtailing radicalization. Ambassador Desker
added that curtailing radicalization must be a national
movement focused on enforcing policies, strengthening
security and increasing public awareness. Policy-oriented
scholars play an important role, as they are involved in
research and intellectual engagement. Their research will
provide models, updates, reports, formulas and databases
for counter-radicalization practitioners to receive inputs
and chart future directions. Lastly, Ambassador Desker
added that the community needs to be actively involved
in countering radicalization. He mentioned that religious
scholars must be engaged in both preventive and reactive
counter-radicalization efforts.
Ambassador Desker identified terrorism and political
violence as a global phenomenon. Therefore, he continued,
counter and preventive work must continue through
timely initiatives, better ideas and results at a global
level. To manage the threat of radicalization, communities
and institutions must join hands to curtail ideological
extremism.
Ambassador Desker then briefly outlined Singapore’s
counter radicalization efforts. He identified the Ministry
of Home Affairs (MHA) as the government’s lead agency
to counter radicalization through enforcement. He added
that the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) and the
Aftercare Group are present at the community level.
Supporting these efforts, he continued, is the International
Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, a
specialist centre at the S. Rajaratnam School of International
Studies (RSIS), dedicated to reducing the threat through
research, education and training. He highlighted that
by forging a partnership between the government, the
community and academics, Singapore has laid out a
practical approach to counter radicalization.
Ambassador Desker thanked all the participants for their
presence. He then concluded his address by saying that the
conference would surely pave the way towards building a
community of dedicated practitioners and scholars in order
to make terrorist rehabilitation a global imperative.
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THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TERRORIST REHABILITATION