Since mid-2016, Prof Barton and A/Prof Vergani have led the South East Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations (SEAN-CSO) initiative against violent extremism in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia. Funded by the Australian Government and operated by Deakin University, SEAN-CSO arose from the 2015 Sydney Countering Violent Extremism Summit and is endorsed by regional governments.

The project addresses the need to counter violent extremism (CVE) by enhancing the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) and fostering collaboration between CSOs and local governments in Southeast Asia. It aims to improve the quality and quantity of CVE interventions, especially given the high risk posed by individuals being released from prison and returnees from global jihadist battlegrounds.

The expected outcomes include:

• Enhanced capacity of CSOs to address violent extremism.
• Improved collaboration and relationships between CSOs and local governments.
• Effective rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists, with a focus on correctional facilities and risk assessment tools.
• Strengthened peer-to-peer learning and partnerships among regional CSOs.
• Expanded influence and resources of the SEAN-CSO network through targeted capacity-building activities.

This project is funded by the Department of Home Affairs.