There are no bad experiences since we always can leverage the lessons that life provides us to avoid mistakes in the future. Growing violent extremism is one of the scariest phenomena of today’s society and this became the theme of the Against Violent Extremism (AVE) new digital project, brought by Google Ideas, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), the Gen Next Foundation and Rehabstudio. The idea behind the platform, which was seeded and launched by Google Ideas at the 2011 Summit Against Violent Extremism in Dublin, is to connect former extremists (‘formers’) and survivors, who will be sharing their theme-related experiences to help youth at risk to avoid joining extremist gangs and organizations. The new digital hub seems like a Facebook for extremists, but in fact works rather as a preventive tool, which teaches kids teh truth and urges youngsters think hard before they take the wrong turn.   

“AVE uses technology to connect, exchange, disseminate and influence all forms of violent extremism (from far right and far left to al-Qaeda-linked and inspired and gangs). It leverages the lessons, experiences and networks of individuals who have dealt first-hand with extremism. Through the website and YouTube channel, members can stay in touch, share ideas, collaborate, find investment and partners, and project their messages to wider audiences,” says the description to the project. Sasha Havlicek, the director of ISD, which will run the project, notes that the new platform “won’t be another talking shop—it will result in political outcomes.”

The Against Violent Extremism platform gathered all kinds of former violent extremists, even those who used to have radically different views, under one roof, as well as those who want to contribute to tackling this problem, including policy-makers, activists, victims of extremist terrors and entrepreneurs. At the moment, the website has 49 ‘formers’ and 18 ‘survivors’ in 409 ‘connections,’ which are displayed in the form of a honeycomb (people can also be found on the map, in case a user want to source expertise geographically). Each of the profile features a bio, occupation and a list of connections this person has across the network. By the end of year one, the Against Violent Extremism platform is expected to have 500 members, and the by the end of year two it will grow to over 1,000 members. The platform also highlights 20 projects, which are revolving around the goal of helping build peace across the globe.