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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250824T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250824T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20260116T075638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T082203Z
UID:19129-1756022400-1756054800@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Advocacy Series Webinar 2025
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 24 August 2025 – The ASEAN Youth Advocates Network\, in partnership with Talang Dalisay\, organised the third session of the ASEAN Youth Month (AYM) 2025 Advocacy Series Webinar titled “Stop the Cap: How Fake News Threatens ASEAN’s Stability.” Balqis Maesara\, Project Officer at INITIATE.MY\, spoke on how misinformation and disinformation threaten human security and youth resilience in the digital era. \n\n\n\nThe discussion examined how fake news spreads rapidly through everyday online spaces such as memes\, chats\, and short videos\, making it appear casual and believable. Participants learned how algorithms and social media echo chambers accelerate the virality of misinformation\, while new technologies like generative AI and AI-driven bots amplify manipulation.  \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY shared their work on how extremist groups use AI to spread propaganda\, noting how the technology accelerates and personalises misinformation. The discussion explored how fake news circulates rapidly through memes\, chats\, and short videos\, making false content appear casual and believable. Participants examined how algorithms and echo chambers amplify these narratives\, while AI-generated deepfakes\, videos\, and memes blur the line between truth and fiction—turning legitimate causes into emotionally charged narratives that glorify violence and normalise hostility. \n\n\n\nSpeakers highlighted the growing vulnerability of young people\, who are not only the most active social media users but also key targets of misinformation campaigns. Through real-life examples from Malaysia and neighbouring ASEAN countries\, the session illustrated how false narratives can escalate local incidents into communal conflicts and erode public trust in institutions. \n\n\n\nThe conversation linked these challenges to broader human security concerns—showing how disinformation threatens political stability\, fuels fear and division\, and undermines dignity and democratic governance. \n\n\n\nParticipants also explored practical solutions: improving fact-checking habits\, using digital verification tools like Google Lens\, MyCheck (Malaysia)\, and CekFakta (Indonesia)\, and engaging responsibly with online platforms by understanding their content moderation systems as well as existing ASEAN frameworks. \n\n\n\nThe session concluded by reaffirming the crucial role of youth as defenders of truth and digital resilience under the Youth\, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. It called for stronger media literacy education and creative\, youth-led campaigns to promote fact-checking culture across the ASEAN region. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBalqis Maesara from INITIATE.MY presenting at the ASEAN Youth Month 2025 session “Stop the Cap: How Fake News Threatens ASEAN’s Stability\,” sharing insights on misinformation\, human security\, and youth resilience in the digital era.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/advocacy-series-webinar-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250813T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250813T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20260116T074447Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T082248Z
UID:19126-1755072000-1755104400@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Knowledge Hub Session 4.1: Digital Security Strategies
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 13 August 2025 – INITIATE.MY hosted the fourth session of the Knowledge Hub series at KL Journal Hotel\, focusing on ‘Digital Security Strategies’. The session strengthened civil society’s capacity to manage digital risks\, safeguard information\, and adapt to an evolving online environment. \n\n\n\nFacilitators framed digital security as a shared organisational responsibility that extends beyond technical tools to include culture\, policy\, and daily practice. Participants examined how data protection gaps and the dominance of major technology companies shape online participation and expose vulnerabilities. \n\n\n\nThrough interactive discussions and case studies\, participants explored practical methods such as data classification\, digital hygiene\, device separation\, encryption\, and “zero trust” systems – emphasising the principle of ‘trust but always verify’. The session also introduced structured risk mapping and legal preparedness as essential components of digital resilience. \n\n\n\nA live phishing-detection exercise trained participants to spot suspicious emails and domains\, while group simulations applied multilayered strategies – combining encryption\, communication security\, and legal safeguards – to handle digital crises. Additionally\, A scenario based discussion challenged participants to manage a high-risk information leak scenario\, applying layered strategies that integrated digital\, legal\, and physical safeguards. The exercise highlighted the importance of preventive action\, informed decision-making\, and coordination across teams when responding to crises. \n\n\n\nThe session concluded that effective digital security is proactive\, collective\, and context-driven. Strengthening civil society’s resilience requires embedding ethical\, accountable\, and adaptive practices that protect both people and causes in an increasingly complex digital landscape. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParticipants of the Knowledge Hub Session 4.1: Digital Security Strategies deepened their capacity to manage risks\, protect information\, and safeguard their organisations in an evolving digital landscape.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/knowledge-hub-session-4-1-digital-security-strategies/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250811T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250811T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20251117T074508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T051002Z
UID:18988-1754899200-1754931600@initiate.my
SUMMARY:SAFER: SEAN-CSO Empowerment to Counter Online Hate in Southeast Asia
DESCRIPTION:Bandung\, 11-15 August 2025 – The SEAN-CSO SAFER Workshop 2025 equipped civil society organisations with practical skills\, innovative tools\, and a collaborative mindset to counter hate speech and violent extremism. It aimed to empower individuals and organisations to combat online hate while promoting gamification\, AI innovation\, and cross-border partnerships that build a safer digital space in Southeast Asia. \n\n\n\nThe Southeast Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations (SEAN-CSO) brings together over 25 regional CSOs and researchers working on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). This year\, the network focused on tackling hate in the region\, especially online hate. PeaceGeneration Indonesia proposed three main collaborative initiatives to support this theme. \n\n\n\nHeld from August 12–15\, 2025\, at Deakin University\, Lancaster University Indonesia\, the SEAN-CSO Workshop: SAFER (SEAN-CSO Empowerment to Counter Online Hate in Southeast Asia) was designed to build not only knowledge but also the mindset\, toolset\, and skillset needed by CSOs to respond effectively to online hate and violent extremism. Through a gamified learning approach\, participants called “Robots” completed four missions across four days. Each mission awarded a badge\, and those who completed all four became Certified Guardians\, ready to defend Southeast Asia’s digital space. The workshop followed the FIDS model (Feel–Imagine–Do–Share): starting with emotional connection\, moving into envisioning safer futures\, practicing strategies\, and closing with reflection. \n\n\n\nThe workshop opened with remarks from Irfan Amali of PeaceGeneration Indonesia\, Greg Barton of Deakin University\, and Shilpa Maniar from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. Irfan explained that the sessions would be practical\, incorporating gamification\, online games\, and AI. Shilpa highlighted rising terrorist threats in Australia\, noting the impact of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism\, and shared Australia’s PCVE strategy\, which emphasises prevention\, societal cooperation\, and early intervention. Greg stressed the urgent need to address hate speech as a driver of extremism in Southeast Asia. Participants first connected through a lighthearted icebreaker\, then engaged with Greg Barton’s presentation on understanding the connection between hate speech and violent extremism. Drawing examples from Melbourne\, the United States\, Europe\, India\, and New Zealand\, Greg explained how hate speech\, while not always direct violence\, creates conditions that fuel radicalisation and real-world harm. \n\n\n\nAnother highlight came from Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi of the Board of Imams Victoria\, who presented the Community Integration Support Program (CISP). The initiative provides religious mentoring and social support to individuals at risk of extremism\, addressing ideology\, social relations\, and mental health while offering counter-arguments to extremist propaganda. The day closed with a ‘Do’ session led by Irfan Amali\, where participants practiced crafting alternative narratives. Using examples such as reframing divisive rhetoric into inclusive stories\, Robots learned strategies to challenge hate speech creatively. Reflections collected via Mentimeter revealed participants’ empathy and a strengthened commitment to peace. \n\n\n\nThe second day centered on gamification as both a risk and an opportunity. Noor Huda Ismail illustrated how extremist groups use gaming platforms and communities to spread ideology while challenging participants to imagine how games can promote peace instead. Best-practice sessions followed: Luthfi Noorfitriyani presented peace-focused games such as Semester Baru\, which tackles bullying\, and Ekspedisi Ulun Lampung\, which fosters inter-ethnic understanding. Eko Nugroho introduced the Kummara Learning Ecosystem\, emphasising how games provide safe spaces to test ideas\, reflect\, and build teamwork. Activities like Mind Before Send demonstrated how playful design can encourage responsible digital behavior. During the ‘Do’ session\, participants prototyped their own game ideas\, ranging from board games to digital concepts. Their designs reflected local contexts and cultural wisdom\, showcasing creativity in countering radicalisation. The day ended with a Bandung Tour on Bus (Bandros) trip and networking dinner\, giving participants the chance to bond across borders and discuss collaboration in a more informal setting. \n\n\n\nThe third mission shifted to technology and AI. The day began with role-play exercises simplifying P/CVE concepts for younger audiences\, reminding participants of the importance of clarity and empathy in communication. Dan Goodhart presented lessons from monitoring antisemitism in Australia\, highlighting spikes in incidents and the use of AI tools like BERT and Meta One to track hate. His work underscored how data strengthens resilience and builds trust between communities and authorities. \n\n\n\nFollowing that\, a talk show featured William S.G (IMAN Research\, Malaysia)\, Aizat Shamsuddin (INITIATE.MY\, Malaysia)\, and Dedik Priyanto (Islami.co\, Indonesia). They discussed strategies for leveraging technology and media to counter online hate\, including the role of grassroots reporting and youth-led platforms. Dedik emphasised TikTok’s dual role as both a vector of hate and a tool for spreading inclusive narratives\, while Aizat shared INITIATE.MY’s experiences in using civic technology\, youth engagement\, and media literacy to strengthen community resilience against online extremism. The discussion illustrated how regional collaboration—between research institutions\, youth organisations\, and digital media practitioners—can create lasting impact in combating digital hate across Southeast Asia. \n\n\n\nIn the ‘Do’ sessions\, Derry Wijaya introduced narrative mapping to analyse how identity\, polarisation\, and toxicity intertwine online. Matteo Vergani showcased AI models for monitoring online hate and guided participants in creating custom prompts in their own languages. This exercise gave Robots firsthand insight into the opportunities and risks of AI in peacebuilding. Reflections highlighted that online hate is never isolated—it mirrors and fuels offline violence—making technological innovation essential\, though not without challenges. \n\n\n\nThe final day transitioned toward sustainability and action. Luthfi Noorfitriyani of PeaceGen introduced the Lexicon on Ethno-Religious Hate Speech\, an interactive e-learning platform made by Patani Forum\, Thailand\, which combines games\, video screenings\, and discussions to make learning engaging. Following this\, Lindawati Sumpena shared details on seed-funding opportunities for CSOs. Grants will support innovative projects such as a CSO Risk Assessment Toolkit and interventions to counter online hate. Participants learned proposal requirements\, co-funding possibilities\, and eligibility criteria for both new and ongoing projects. \n\n\n\nIn the closing Share session\, participants reflected on the potential and risks of AI in countering hate and articulated their personal “first mission” after the workshop. Commitments included sharing workshop insights within their communities\, designing new digital literacy programs\, and experimenting with e-learning for peace. The SEAN-CSO SAFER Workshop 2025 demonstrated that addressing online hate requires more than just awareness: it requires practical skills\, innovative tools\, and collaborative mindsets. By engaging participants as Robots on a gamified journey\, the workshop transformed abstract concepts into concrete action. \n\n\n\nFrom Greg Barton’s global insights to hands-on sessions with AI\, from game design to seed-funding opportunities\, every mission equipped participants with knowledge and agency. Most importantly\, the workshop strengthened cross-border solidarity—reminding Southeast Asia’s civil society that while hate travels fast online\, collaboration and creativity travel faster. SEAN-CSO provides a platform for civil society organisations in Southeast Asia to network and share resources. Through this network\, members can support each other\, share knowledge\, and coordinate efforts to address the region’s social challenges. In doing so\, SEAN-CSO contributes to strengthening the voice of civil society at both regional and international levels. \n\n\n\nCredit: This article is based on the original work “SAFER: SEAN-CSO Empowerment to Counter Online Hate in Southeast Asia\,” written by PeaceGeneration Indonesia and published on SEAN-CSO.org.Source: https://www.sean-cso.org/article/articles/safer-sean-cso-empowerment-to-counter-online-hate-in-southeast-asia © Copyright 2025 SEAN-CSO. All rights reserved. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY shared its youth-led approach to digital resilience at the SEAN-CSO SAFER Workshop 2025\, fostering collaboration to counter online extremism.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/safer-sean-cso-empowerment-to-counter-online-hate-in-southeast-asia/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250808T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250822T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20260116T073701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T082324Z
UID:19123-1754640000-1755882000@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Info Sessions on Proposal Writing and Fundraising
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 8–22 August 2025 – INITIATE.MY successfully conducted a three-part internal workshop series on ‘Proposal Writing\, Budgeting\, and Fundraising Skills’ designed to strengthen staff capacity and enhance collaboration with civil society partners in developing competitive and values-based funding proposals. \n\n\n\nLed by Fong Mun Hong\, an experienced trainer with a background in international donor relations\, the workshop took place at INITIATE.MY’s co-working space at KL Gateway\, Petaling Jaya. The sessions brought together participants comprising INITIATE staff and civil society partners such as from the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) and Projek SAMA (Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTrainer Fong Mun Hong explained the origins and evolution of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)\, highlighting how the practice has shaped evidence-based programme design and accountability in the development sector. \n\n\n\nThe workshop was structured into three thematic sessions: \n\n\n\nSession 1: Funding Landscape & Proposal BasicsParticipants were introduced to key funding sources\, including government grants and philanthropic foundations\, and explored strategies for navigating the evolving donor environment. The session also covered essential components of proposal writing\, from goal setting and programme design to developing a theory of change and aligning budgets with project objectives. \n\n\n\nSession 2: Logic Models\, Risk Assessment & MELThis session focused on project planning and evaluation tools. Participants learned how to develop logic models linking inputs\, activities\, outputs\, and outcomes\, while also identifying and mitigating operational and reputational risks. The session included a hands-on exercise where participants designed a basic logic model and risk matrix for their own projects. \n\n\n\nSession 3: Advanced Budgeting\, Budget Narratives & Financial ReadinessThe final session deepened participants’ understanding of budgeting processes\, donor compliance\, and financial accountability. Topics included detailed budget preparation\, cash flow forecasting\, and audit readiness\, and ended with a practical exercise where participants drafted a concept note and budget outline. \n\n\n\nReading materials from the first session were also provided to ensure continuity for participants who joined in the later sessions. Through this workshop\, INITIATE.MY reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of accountability\, strategic thinking\, and partnership-driven growth within Malaysia’s civil society ecosystem.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/info-sessions-on-proposal-writing-and-fundraising/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250721T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250721T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20251121T054133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T090243Z
UID:19059-1753084800-1753117200@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Roundtable – Canada–Malaysia Collaboration on the Development of Malaysia’s First WPS NAP
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 21 July 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the Civil Society Roundtable on Women\, Peace and Security (WPS)\, co-organised by the High Commission of Canada and the Ministry of Women\, Family and Community Development (KPWKM). The dialogue convened women leaders\, peace practitioners\, and civil society representatives to discuss how Malaysia’s upcoming National Action Plan on Women\, Peace and Security (NAP WPS) can translate global commitments into local realities. \n\n\n\nThe roundtable reaffirmed that peace is more sustainable when women are meaningfully included in peace processes — a principle underscored by UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Discussions at the forum emphasised that Malaysia’s NAP must go beyond policy rhetoric by ensuring institutional commitment\, civil society engagement\, and mechanisms for harm prevention. \n\n\n\nParticipants examined how women’s rights advocacy\, youth engagement\, and peacebuilding initiatives align with WPS principles\, while identifying barriers to mainstreaming gender perspectives in national security policies. Insights from Canada’s WPS Network illustrated how sustained collaboration between civil society and government can foster more inclusive policy design and monitoring. \n\n\n\nRepresenting INITIATE.MY\, Balqis Maesara\, Project Officer\, and Irdina Sorfina\, Legal Intern\, contributed perspectives from the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) field — highlighting that women’s roles in radicalisation are often confined to that of victims or intermediaries\, rather than dominant players. They stressed that to counter this\, women’s empowerment must be a core strategy—by placing women in decision-making roles and highlighting women peacebuilders as visible role models.. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY’s policy recommendations presented at the roundtable included: \n\n\n\n1. Institutionalise reconciliation mechanisms within PCVE frameworks\, including a National Mediation Centre to document women’s testimonies and facilitate community healing.2. Provide trauma support\, anti-stigma initiatives\, education\, and economic reintegration for women and children affected by extremism.3. Introduce systematic screening to identify trafficking victims in terrorism contexts\, ensuring legal safeguards\, safe shelters\, and psychosocial assistance.4. Empower affected women as mediators and peacebuilding leaders to ensure their direct participation in policy formulation and implementation.5. Establish a gender-disaggregated online database to track mediation outcomes\, rehabilitation success\, and reconciliation progress. \n\n\n\nThese recommendations aim to ensure that Malaysia’s NAP WPS not only protects women from violence and discrimination but also positions them as key agents of peacebuilding and conflict resolution. As Malaysia prepares for the upcoming ASEAN WPS Summit\, INITIATE.MY looks forward to continued collaboration with state and non-state actors to advance inclusive\, trauma-informed\, and gender-responsive peacebuilding in Southeast Asia. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY joined the Civil Society Roundtable on Women\, Peace and Security to advocate for gender-responsive\, trauma-informed approaches in Malaysia’s upcoming NAP WPS.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/roundtable-canada-malaysia-collaboration-on-the-development-of-malaysias-first-wps-nap/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250625T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250625T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T065401Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T010141Z
UID:18720-1750838400-1750870800@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Knowledge Hub Session 3: Data-Driven Advocacy: Storytelling
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 25 June 2025 – INITIATE.MY hosted the third session of the Knowledge Hub series\, focusing on “Data-Driven Advocacy: Storytelling.” The session equipped civil society actors with practical skills to transform complex data into accessible\, compelling narratives that enhance advocacy efforts. \n\n\n\nFacilitators guided participants through tools and strategies that connect evidence with storytelling. They emphasised that data alone cannot shape public opinion or influence policy without thoughtful framing. Using case studies and live demonstrations\, facilitators introduced visualisation tools such as Flourish\, enabling participants—especially those without technical backgrounds—to create clear and persuasive charts and infographics. \n\n\n\nParticipants took part in hands-on exercises to critique and redesign data visuals. They identified and corrected misleading charts\, applied design principles that prioritise clarity\, simplicity\, and ethical presentation. Discussions also addressed common pitfalls such as overusing pie charts and poor colour contrast. \n\n\n\nThe session also explored: \n\n\n\n1.   Public opinion surveys as a form of data collection and storytelling. Participants examined how survey        design\, sampling methods\, and question framing shape responses and influence narratives. Careful phrasing       can reveal honest perspectives on sensitive issues without triggering bias or defensiveness. \n\n\n\n2. The growing use of machine-assisted analysis in advocacy\, including media monitoring and trend detection.     Facilitators cautioned against overreliance on automation\, stressed the irreplaceable role of human     judgment\, cultural sensitivity\, and emotional intelligence in crafting ethical and impactful narratives. \n\n\n\n3. Methods for blending legal analysis\, data\, and personal stories. This discussion underscored how      storytelling grounded in lived experience—especially when tailored to marginalised audiences—can challenge    dominant narratives and shape policy discourse. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKnowledge Hub strengthens a more connected and informed civil society. In this case\, data is most impactful when framed with care\, grounded in context\, and communicated clearly. As the digital information space grows more complex\, civil society must go beyond collecting and analysing data—they must learn to tell stories that resonate. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParticipants of Knowledge Hub Session 3 learned how to tell stories from data more effectively.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/knowledge-hub-session-3-data-driven-advocacy-storytelling/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250624T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250626T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T061336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T061345Z
UID:18695-1750752000-1750957200@initiate.my
SUMMARY:International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) 2025
DESCRIPTION:Singapore\, 24–26 June 2025 – The International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) 2025 brought together leaders\, practitioners\, scholars\, and youth from across the globe to explore how diverse communities can forge meaningful connections and build resilience in the face of growing societal challenges.  \n\n\n\nThe S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) convened this third edition of ICCS under the theme of “Cohesive Societies\, Resilient Futures.” Delegates from over 30 countries—representing institutions such as the United Nations Educational\, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)\, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)\, ASEAN\, civil society organisations\, and religious communities—joined the three-day gathering to share insights and strategies. \n\n\n\nThe conference centred around three thematic pillars: 1. Unpacking Multiculturalism\, 2. Navigating Uncertainty\, and 3. Forging Societal Resilience.  \n\n\n\nThrough high-impact plenaries\, hands-on workshops\, and immersive community explorations\, ICCS 2025 equipped participants with practical tools to lead transformative change and strengthen social cohesion within their communities.  \n\n\n\nHisham Muhaimi\, INITIATE.MY’s Project Coordinator\, represented the organisation. He participated in two key sessions at ICCS 2025.  \n\n\n\nConflict resolution workshop: Practical mediation and communication skills to strengthen conflict-sensitive programming and grassroots engagement.Visit to the Indian Heritage Centre: Exploration of South Asian cultural contributions to Singapore’s national identity\, reinforcing the importance of inclusion in fostering social cohesion.  \n\n\n\nHisham also reconnected with Amina Rasul-Bernardo and Atty. Salma Pir Rasul\, two prominent voices in peacebuilding and the prevention of violent extremism in the Philippines. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHisham Muhaimi reconnected with leading voices in peacebuilding and PCVE in the Philippines\, Amina Rasul-Bernardo and Atty. Salma Pir Rasul at ICCS 2025 in Singapore. \n\n\n\nAt ICCS 2025\, INITIATE.MY engaged regional and global networks to share its initiatives and contribute to key conversations on identity\, coexistence\, and societal resilience. The organisation remains committed to advancing inclusive dialogue\, diversity\, and community cohesion through education and cross-sector collaboration—locally and globally.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/international-conference-on-cohesive-societies-iccs-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250624T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250624T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T070913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T070917Z
UID:18724-1750752000-1750784400@initiate.my
SUMMARY:SEARCCT’s International Conference 2025: Emerging Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 24 June 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) International Conference 2025 with the theme of “Emerging Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism”. The conference brought together counterterrorism experts\, researchers\, policymakers\, and civil society representatives to address the evolving challenges of preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE)\, focusing on the role of digital platforms and emerging technologies.  \n\n\n\nThe first day of the forum featured two key sessions that explored the evolving nexus between youth\, technology\, and violent extremism.  \n\n\n\nFirst session:  How radicalisation unfolds across social media\, encrypted messaging apps\, gaming spaces\, and the dark web.  \n\n\n\n\nMr. Asrul Shah Razali from the Ministry of Home Affairs\, Malaysia moderated this session. \n\n\n\nMs. Mediha Mahmood from Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) highlighted the “bystander effect” online\, where silence by passive users amplifies extremist content. She cited successful counter-speech strategies\, such as a German initiative that reduced hate threats by 17%. \n\n\n\nMs. Emma Allen from Hedayah Centre\, United Arab Emirates shared findings from a study revealing that 96% of Malaysian youth are online\, making them highly vulnerable to extremist narratives that blend global and local themes. \n\n\n\nDr. Miraji Mohamed\, Swansea University and Dublin City University added an interdisciplinary lens\, stressing the importance of understanding how different platforms shape radicalisation processes and recommending gender-sensitive\, alternative approaches to prevention.\n\n\n\n\nSecond session: how artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies are reshaping the terrorism landscape and preventive strategies. moderated by  \n\n\n\n\nMs. Farlina Said from Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia\, moderated this session.\n\n\n\nMr. Asrul Daniel Ahmad from SEARCCT described how extremists exploit generative AI to create deepfakes\, emotionally resonant content\, and culturally subversive propaganda\, citing examples like AI-generated ISIS news modeled after Al Jazeera. He warned of AI’s potential to rapidly spread content in local languages\, increasing the threat in Southeast Asia. In response\, SEARCCT runs youth-focused story workshops and coding labs to build digital resilience.\n\n\n\nMs. Asha Hemrajani from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)\, Singapore highlighted digital vulnerabilities including a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and platform manipulation\, advocating for algorithmic retraining and multiple response mechanisms tailored to each platform’s dynamics.\n\n\n\n\nMr. Galen Lamphere-Englund from Extremism and Gaming Research Network (EGRN) turned the spotlight on the gaming ecosystem\, identifying its highly social nature as fertile ground for radicalisation. His research found that 30% of gamers across seven countries encountered extremist content\, with 22% seeing it as normal. Extremists exploit games through propaganda-laced titles\, in-game chats\, microtransactions\, and even live-streaming attacks. Buffalo 2022 shooter’s exposure to radicalisation\, for example\, was through platforms like Roblox\, Discord\, and Twitch.  \n\n\n\nHe proposed a “Prevent\, Detect\, React” framework including esports mentorships\, gaming literacy programmes\, and AI moderation to counter this radicalisation threat. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) is also preparing a Southeast Asian study to improve online safety in gaming spaces. \n\n\n\nThe conference highlighted the dual role of technology in extremism and PCVE\, from silence-driven radicalisation to AI-enhanced propaganda and gaming vulnerabilities. Building on INITIATE.MY’s established work on online extremism\, which addresses online threats and the exploitation of AI\, these insights strengthen our findings.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBalqis Maesara\, INITIATE.MY’s Project Officer\, and Irdina Sorfina\, INITIATE.MY’s Legal Intern contributed to critical conversations on digital threats and counterextremism in Southeast Asia as a civil society organisation.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/searccts-international-conference-2025-emerging-trends-in-terrorism-and-violent-extremism/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250618T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250618T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T071229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T071233Z
UID:18726-1750233600-1750266000@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Knowledge Hub Session 2: Data-Driven Advocacy: Data Gathering Methods
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 18 June 2025 – INITIATE.MY organised the second session of the Knowledge Hub series titled “Data-Driven Advocacy: Data Gathering Methods”. This full-day workshop built on the earlier session on tech abuse threats to enhance civil society’s capacity for evidence-based advocacy to address the threats with a focus on credible and ethical data collection methods. \n\n\n\nParticipants comprised a diverse group of practitioners from civil society organisations engaged in civil and political rights\, gender justice\, counter-extremism\, digital rights\, child protection\, policy research\, and data journalism. The programme offered a dynamic mix of expert-led sessions\, hands-on methodology development\, and peer-to-peer learning\, grounded in strong regional relevance and practical application. \n\n\n\nFacilitators shared practical strategies for accessing information\, including through the freedom of information (FOI) requests\, open data portals\, and crowd-sourcing. They demonstrated the practical tools used in digital advocacy such as:   \n\n\n\n\nTikAPI (extracts public data from TikTok)\, Telethon (scrapes Telegram data via API)\, and GDELT (monitors global news and events in real time);\n\n\n\nTableau (creates interactive data dashboards and visual insights) for visualisation; and\, \n\n\n\nBayanat\, an open-source platform tailored for civil society data handling. They also explored HURIDOCS\, a flexible system of 49 microthesauri for classifying human rights violations\, widely adopted since the 1980s and adaptable to various advocacy needs. \n\n\n\n\nFurthermore\, participants were assigned with tasks to develop and refine their own research hypotheses through small group exercises that focused on case studies ranging from online harms\, access to education and environmental impacts. They needed to identify relevant data sources\, design their research approach\, and receive feedback on their framing and methodology. \n\n\n\nThrough Knowledge Hub\, participants enhanced their technical literacy\, built greater confidence in designing methodologies and collecting data\, and deepened their understanding of shared standards for credible and ethical data collection to address tech abuse threats. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParticipants of Knowledge Hub Session 2 learned how to strengthen skills in credible and ethical data collection.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/knowledge-hub-session-2-data-driven-advocacy-data-gathering-methods/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250615T100000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250615T120000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T071722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T071730Z
UID:18728-1749981600-1749988800@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Dialogue Session on ‘Peaceful Generation: Youth Against Extremism’ on the National Youth Day 2025
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 15 June 2025 –  The dialogue session ‘Peaceful Generation: Youth Against Extremism’ brought together Malaysian youth in conjunction with National Youth Day 2025\, celebrated under the theme ‘Believe You Can!’ at the Human Expression Hub\, Merdeka Square. The event was held in collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports\, the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM)\, and the National Youth and Sports Department being the joint organisers.  \n\n\n\nAizat Shamsuddin\, Founder and Director of INITIATE.MY\, joined the panel alongside Sassi A/L Shritharan\, Assistant Director at the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT)\, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. Eow Shiang Yen\, Executive Committee Member of the MBM\, moderated the session. The session aimed to promote inclusive engagement and learning and encourage young people to become agents of peace. \n\n\n\nThe dialogue unfolded in three thematic rounds:  \n\n\n\nFirst round on youth training and awareness: SEARCCT shared examples of creative outreach such as futsal and e-sports. INITIATE.MY highlighted the role of its flagship programme called “Peace Lab”\, including the Peace for Religious Leaders & Thinkers (PLRT) in 2024 through data-driven advocacy in strengthening resilience against extremism. \n\n\n\nSecond round on technology and AI in prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE): SEARCCT addressed the risks of extremist ideologies spreading through digital games. INITIATE.MY emphasised the potential of AI and social media in countering online hate narratives.  \n\n\n\nThird round on holistic strategies and community inclusion: SEARCCT discussed empowering young women in line with the Women\, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. INITIATE.MY shared its inclusive approach and how it is important to involve marginalised groups and women in peacebuilding efforts. \n\n\n\nThe National Youth Day 2025 recognises the role of key civil society organisations like INITIATE.MYs in localising Youth\, Peace and Security (YPS) among youth stakeholders. This aligns with one of the core pillars of the Malaysian Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (MyPCVE) which supports multi-stakeholder engagement to build resilience against radicalisation.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists and participants of the ‘Peaceful Generation: Youth Against Extremism’ dialogue are united in their commitment to empowering Malaysian youth as champions of peace.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/dialogue-session-on-peaceful-generation-youth-against-extremism-on-the-national-youth-day-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250614T110000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250614T153000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250524T081606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250606T054249Z
UID:18514-1749898800-1749915000@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Salam Stage
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salam-stage-tickets-1372678140269?aff=oddtdtcreator \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n🎟 Free entry – Limited seats! \n\n\n\nReal stories. Bold voices. Shared struggle. \n\n\n\nJoin us at Salam Stage\, a live-storytelling event Salam Stage\, a TED-style live storytelling event co-organised by the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) and the Freedom Film Network (FFN) that spotlights powerful\, personal stories of courage\, resilience\, and hope in the face of rising extremism and shrinking civic space in Malaysia. \n\n\n\nFrom confronting injustice to reclaiming dignity\, these lived experiences offer an unflinching look at what it means to speak up\, push back\, and reimagine peace in a divided society. \n\n\n\nThrough raw narratives\, creative performances\, and fearless dialogue\, Salam Stage invites you to listen deeply\, reflect critically\, and stand in solidarity. \n\n\n\nAGENDA11:00 AMRegistration & Networking \n\n\n\n12:00 PMOpening Remarksby Aizat Shamsuddin\, Founder & Director\, Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) \n\n\n\n12:10 PMOpening Remarksby Anna Har\, Director\, Freedom Film Network (FFN) \n\n\n\n12:20 PMHousekeeping Notes \n\n\n\n12:30 PM“May 13: Race and the Legacy of Fear”by Dr. Kua Kia Soong\, Social Activist & Researcher \n\n\n\n12:50 PM“Menyingkap Cerita Bekas Tahanan Keselamatan dan Radikal”by Dr. Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid\, Criminologist & Legal Scholar \n\n\n\n1:10 PMAudience Engagement \n\n\n\n1:20 PMPrayer Break\, Lunch Break & Networking \n\n\n\n1:50 PM“Challenging Sacred Narrative”by Khairi Anwar & Tan Meng Kheng\, Director & Producer of Mentega Terbang \n\n\n\n2:10 PM“Keteguhan Tradisi: Ceritera dari Kelantan dan Negeri Sembilan”by Ruby Jusoh\, Women’s Literature Researcher \n\n\n\n2:30 PMAudience Engagement \n\n\n\n2:50 PMClosing Remarksby Representative of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Malaysia [TBC] \n\n\n\n3:00 PMGroup Photo & Conclusion \n\n\n\n3:30 PMDispersal \n\n\n\n🧠 Come for the stories. Leave with purpose. \n\n\n\n🎟 Admission is free\, but places are limited – book your seat now!🔗 More info: https://initiate.my📩 General enquiries: salam@initiate.my💌 For sponsorship and donations: communications@initiate.my 
URL:https://initiate.my/event/salam-stage/
LOCATION:PJ Live Arts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://initiate.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PromoPoster-APPROVED-01.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250614T100000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250614T160000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T072258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T034543Z
UID:18731-1749895200-1749916800@initiate.my
SUMMARY:INITIATE’s First Live Storytelling Event: Salam Stage
DESCRIPTION:INITIATE’s First Live Storytelling Event: Salam Stage \n\n\n\nPetaling Jaya\, 14 June 2025 一 INITIATE.MY and the Freedom Film Network (FFN) successfully organised Salam Stage\, a live storytelling platform that amplified diverse voices through powerful personal accounts of courage\, resilience\, and hope. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Malaysia. Over 100 participants joined the event\, representing an intergenerational audience that included Gen Z and Gen Y members from civil society\, student networks\, the press\, and diplomatic missions. \n\n\n\nSalam Stage used storytelling to humanise complex sociopolitical and socioeconomic issues in response to rising extremism and growing polarisation. The speakers are as follows: \n\n\n\n1. Dr. Kua Kia Soong\, a researcher and activist\, talked about his reflection on the trauma and political legacy of    the May 13 violent riots\, which he witnessed firsthand. He challenged official narratives by framing the      incident as a calculated power shift by emerging elites\, not spontaneous racial violence. He called for a truth    and reconciliation commission\, he urged Malaysians to seek truth from facts and confront history with    courage. \n\n\n\n2. Dr. Haezreena Begum\, a criminologist and legal scholar\, highlighted the silenced stories of former detainees.    She emphasised the often overlooked humanity of former detainees\, urging society not to define them by    their past. She called for empathy and second chances\, reminding the audience that returnees and former    detainees deserve dignity\, not stigma. \n\n\n\n3. Khairi Anwar and Tan Meng Kheng\, filmmakers\, reflected on the backlash to their film Mentega Terbang\,    which explores interfaith questioning through a young girl’s journey. In their session\, “Challenging Sacred    Narratives”\, they blended personal stories and performance to show how creative work can confront religious    taboos. Their session called on audiences to defend artistic freedom\, create space for honest conversations    about faith\, and support storytellers who dare to challenge taboo topics with courage and compassion. \n\n\n\n4. Ruby Jusoh\, a researcher\, shared personal and cultural stories from Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan where she    highlighted the enduring strength of women in Malay traditions. Through figures like her grandmother\, Mek    Zainab\, and the matrilineal roles of Ibu Soko and Bundo Kanduang\, she illustrated how tradition has long    upheld women’s leadership\, resilience\, and dignity.  She called on the audience to reclaim and celebrate   cultural traditions that honour women’s leadership\, and to challenge narratives that erase or diminish the    power of women in society. \n\n\n\nSalam Stage showcases INITIATE.MY’s public advocacy by bringing difficult issues to light through real and personal stories. It uses lived experiences and creative expression to make conversations about extremism and civic space more relatable. The event inspires people to take actions for a more just and peaceful Malaysia. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA group photo of the organising teams from INITIATE.MY and Freedom Film Network and the speakers of Salam Stage.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/initiates-first-live-storytelling-event-salam-stage/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250527T140000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250527T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T072614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T072618Z
UID:18734-1748354400-1748365200@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Briefing on Current Political Situation in Burma and Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship
DESCRIPTION:27 May 2025\, Kuala Lumpur – INITIATE.MY\, in collaboration with Bait Al-Amanah\, convened a closed-door policy briefing titled “Myanmar’s Evolving Political Landscape – Emerging Trends and 2025 Outlook.”. Aizat Shamsuddin\, Founder and director of INITIATE.MY\, facilitated the session\, which featured Myanmar policy analyst Arkar Hein and brought together representatives from the Malaysian government\, diplomatic community\, think tanks\, and civil society organisations. \n\n\n\nThe briefing examined major political and security shifts in Myanmar since the military coup in 2021. Over the past three years\, resistance actors—including the National Unity Government (NUG)\, ethnic revolutionary organisations (EROs)\, and people’s defence forces (PDFs)—have expanded control across liberated areas. These groups are coordinating efforts to provide governance\, security\, and services rooted in federal democratic principles.  Three emerging governance models: a top-down federalism driven by the NUG\, grassroots ethnic-led systems\, and autonomous regional administrations.  \n\n\n\nDiscussions also highlighted: \n\n\n\n\nChina-brokered ceasefire in northern Shan State\, which primarily aims to protect Beijing’s strategic interests along the border\, lacks longer stability and risks entrenching militarised stalemates.\n\n\n\nThe junta’s planned 2025 election also drew criticism for its lack of inclusivity\, absence of nationwide stability\, and the continued detention of over 29\,000 political prisoners.\n\n\n\nResistance-led governance models are gaining traction\, undermining the junta’s legitimacy and reflecting a deeper societal rejection of military rule. This transformation presents long-term implications for regional policy and engagement.\n\n\n\nOn the Rohingya issue\, there are signs of a generational shift towards more inclusive governance among resistance actors\, though serious protection risks remain.\n\n\n\nThe junta’s exploitation of illicit economies—including scam operations and narcotics trafficking—as key revenue streams\, alongside continued earnings from offshore oil and gas.\n\n\n\n\nThe briefing generated several forward-looking recommendations for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025: \n\n\n\n\nPrioritising Myanmar-led inclusive dialogue\n\n\n\nensuring cross-border humanitarian assistance reaches resistance-held areas\n\n\n\nmaintaining engagement with legitimate actors such as the NUG and EROs\n\n\n\nMalaysia’s proposals for a permanent ASEAN special envoy and its dual-track diplomacy are welcomed\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY views Myanmar’s crisis as emblematic of broader regional challenges where authoritarianism\, state fragility\, and transnational crime intersect. The organisation continues to advocate for regional responses grounded in the protection of human security in line with international human rights and humanitarian norms. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPolicymakers\, diplomats\, geopolitical analysts\, and civil society gathered for a closed-door briefing on Myanmar’s evolving political landscape and the implications for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/briefing-on-current-political-situation-in-burma-and-malaysias-asean-chairmanship/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250525T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250525T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T074942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T074951Z
UID:18752-1748131200-1748217599@initiate.my
SUMMARY:GI-TOC’s Meetings on Transnational Crime
DESCRIPTION:Putrajaya\, 21–25 April 2025 – Aizat Shamsuddin\, Founder and Director of INITIATE.MY\, co-facilitated a series of high-level stakeholder meetings on foreign criminality in partnership with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC). GI-TOC is an international organisation that strengthens responses to organised crime through research\, policy dialogue\, and cross-sector engagement. \n\n\n\nThe meetings convened law enforcement agencies\, government officials\, legal practitioners\, and civil society actors to examine the rising threat of foreign criminal actors operating transnational organised crime networks in Malaysia. Discussions focused on the strategies these actors use—including exploiting governance gaps—and evaluated the effectiveness of current countermeasures. \n\n\n\nAccording to GI-TOC’s 2023 Organised Crime Index\, Malaysia’s criminality score rose to 6.23\, marking a 0.30-point increase from 2021. This signals a worsening organised crime environment\, with increased activity across various illicit markets. Notably\, the score for foreign criminal actors rose to 7.00—a 0.50-point increase—indicating their growing presence and influence. \n\n\n\nMalaysia’s Organised Crime Rankings (2023): \n\n\n\n\n38th of 193 countries globally\n\n\n\n16th of 46 countries in Asia\n\n\n\n6th of 11 countries in Southeast Asia\n\n\n\n\nWhile Malaysia’s resilience score also increased slightly to 5.92 (a 0.08-point improvement from 2021)\, this remains insufficient to offset the expanding threats posed by organised crime. \n\n\n\nResilience Rankings: \n\n\n\n\n40th of 193 countries globally\n\n\n\n5th of 46 countries in Asia\n\n\n\n2nd of 11 countries in Southeast Asia\n\n\n\n\nThese figures underscore a growing vulnerability to foreign criminal networks\, despite moderate institutional resilience. There is an urgent need for stronger cross-border cooperation and preventive policy interventions to dismantle these illicit networks and address systemic enablers. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY’s counterterrorism work intersects with issues of foreign criminality and organised crime—especially where transnational terrorist groups like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Daesh collaborate with organised crime syndicates. These networks are involved in arms trafficking\, financial concealment\, and the trafficking of women and children\, often operating across Southeast Asia and beyond. \n\n\n\nAs ASEAN Chair\, Malaysia holds a critical opportunity to lead regional responses against these threats. In particular\, it should prioritise emerging challenges involving cyberspace exploitation and the misuse of AI. With the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) set for June 2025\, Malaysia should push for regional action particularly on cyberscams and forced labour plaguing the region\, and promote more agile and coordinated cooperation across Southeast Asia. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStakeholders from law enforcement\, government\, civil society\, and legal sectors convened in Putrajaya to examine foreign criminality in Malaysia.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/gi-tocs-meetings-on-transnational-crime/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250524T153000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250524T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250520T052940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T060403Z
UID:18458-1748100600-1748106000@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion on Tech Abuse Threats & Accountability: How Can We Work Together?
DESCRIPTION:🌐 ASEANPeoples@ASEAN2025: Digital Rights & Internet Freedom Cluster \n\n\n\nJoin us for an engaging event exploring the state of online rights in Southeast Asia\, featuring:🗣 Session B – Panel Discussion on Tech Abuse Threats & Accountability: How Can We Work Together?⚖️ Regional leaders explore how we can work together to address tech-enabled abuse and protect digital spaces. \n\n\n\n\nTehmina Kaoosji\, Independent Broadcast Journalist\, Partner & Communications Director\, The Big Picture (TBP) Communications\, Malaysia (Moderator)\n\n\n\nAizat Shamsuddin\, Founder & Director\, Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)\, Malaysia\n\n\n\nDamar Juniarto\, Founder\, Centre for AI & Tech Innovation for Democracy (PIKAT)\, Indonesia\n\n\n\nDr. Jun-E Tan\, Senior Research Associate\, Khazanah Research Institute\, Malaysia\n\n\n\nDaniel Lim\, Head of Public Policy Malaysia & Brunei\, Meta\, Singapore \n\n\n\nMediha Mahmood\, Chief Executive Officer\, Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia\, Malaysia\n\n\n\n\n📅 24 May 2025 (Sat)🕒 3.30PM – 5PM MYT📍 Wisma MCA\, Kuala Lumpur & Zoom🔗 Register now: http://bit.ly/4dsMcZm \n\n\n\n#ASEAN2025 #InternetFreedom #DigitalRights #TechAccountability \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBackground:This panel will focus on the growing threats of tech abuse in Southeast Asia\, including disinformation\, doxxing\, extremist content and online scams – harms that compromise the safety and rights of individuals\, communities both online and offline. The discussion will highlight the role of platform policies\, algorithms\, and multistakeholder partnerships in countering these threats\, especially as malign actors increasingly exploit online platforms and AI tools for political and illicit economic gain. \n\n\n\nThe session will: \n\n\n\n\n–  Examine the trends of tech abuse threats that undermine safety and rights in Southeast Asia.\n\n\n\n–  Explore the growing accountability of platforms and tech companies in addressing tech abuse  threats while safeguarding digital rights and internet freedom.\n\n\n\n–  Discuss multistakeholder and practical strategies involving civil society\, the private sector\, and  government agencies in:\n\n–   preventing and countering existing and emerging tech abuse threats\n\n\n\n–   strengthening governance around the use of technology and AI both at domestic and regional levels.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo discuss these\, the panel will feature representatives from civil society\, media\, social media companies\, and policymakers to foster an open dialogue on shared accountability. The session also aims to generate practical recommendations with participants for strengthening cross-sector partnerships across the ASEAN region.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/panel-discussion-on-tech-abuse-threats-accountability-how-can-we-work-together/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250524T143000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250524T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T072752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T072757Z
UID:18736-1748097000-1748106000@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion on Tech Abuse Threats and Accountability: How Can We Work Together?
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 24 May 2025 – The panel discussion ‘Tech Abuse Threats and Accountability: How Can We Work Together?’ brought together over 65 participants of digital rights advocates\, academics\, civil society leaders\, and platform companies representatives from the region. This event was part of the ASEAN Peoples @ ASEAN2025 Forum. INITIATE.MY co-organised the session with EngageMedia and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) to explore the rising threats and solutions to technology abuse in Southeast Asia. \n\n\n\nAizat Shamsuddin\, Founder of INITIATE.MY\, highlighted the growing threats of online scamming and digital extremism in Southeast Asia. He noted that countries in the region serve as both hosts and victims of increasingly coordinated scams\, including those using AI-generated fake content to deceive the public and bypass platform enforcement. \n\n\n\nHe referred to INITIATE.MY’s May 2024 report on far-right extremism trends during Malaysia’s 15th General Election\, which exposed how far-right actors used social media to incite racial hatred and revive May 13 narratives through coded language\, songs\, and symbols. Aizat attributed these harms not only to weak platform moderation but also to systemic issues like gaps in the education system. \n\n\n\nHe stressed the need for better cooperation with agencies like the Royal Malaysia Police\, real-time information sharing\, and more effective AI content moderation—while warning against overreaching security laws that risk silencing legitimate expression. He pointed to Singapore’s FICA law as a case for reflection. Rather than defaulting to criminalisation\, Aizat urged a focus on building digital resilience and literacy\, especially among youth\, ahead of future elections. \n\n\n\nDamar Juniarto\, Founder of the Centre for AI & Tech Innovation for Democracy (PIKAT) Indonesia\, warned that the internet has strayed from its democratic roots and become dominated by tech platforms that exploit user data and undermine accountability—what he described as “technofeudalism.” In Indonesia\, platforms like YouTube and Facebook have displaced traditional media\, causing journalist job losses and weakening democratic safeguards. \n\n\n\nHe highlighted four key forms of digital repression in Southeast Asia: information warfare\, content takedowns\, digital surveillance\, and online censorship. Damar stressed that authoritarian regimes and tech companies are both complicit in this growing tech abuse. To counter this\, he proposed a post-Western digital rights manifesto\, including cyber diplomacy\, technology transfer in local languages\, a Publishers’ Right Committee to support independent media\, and decentralised platforms to protect civic space. He called for multi-stakeholder accountability and region-specific strategies to defend democracy in the digital age. \n\n\n\nDr. Jun-E Tan\, Senior Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute\, highlighted the urgent need for structured monitoring and documentation of AI-related harms in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. She called for greater public awareness and research on AI safety\, distinguishing it from unrealised risks or “hazards.” \n\n\n\nDr. Tan emphasised the value of AI incident repositories—like AIAAIC\, OECD AIM\, MITRE ATLAS\, and AVID—that promote transparency and informed policymaking\, especially in high-risk sectors. However\, she noted significant challenges: vague definitions\, long-term harm detection\, causality issues\, limited awareness\, and Southeast Asia’s underrepresentation in global databases. \n\n\n\nDespite these difficulties\, she argued that documenting AI harms must be prioritised. Establishing robust incident repositories is essential for responsible and accountable AI governance in the region. \n\n\n\nDaniel Lim\, Head of Public Policy for Malaysia and Brunei at Meta\, stressed the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure a safer online environment. He urged tech platforms\, civil society\, and regulators to engage in constructive dialogue rather than fear new technologies. \n\n\n\nLim highlighted Meta’s USD 13 billion investment in online safety and its efforts to balance activist rights with content enforcement. He noted that Meta removes over 90% of harmful content and undergoes public audits to ensure transparency. He cautioned against disrupting effective systems and advocated for consultative approaches to regulation. \n\n\n\nHe cited Meta’s open-source AI model LLaMA and AI content labelling initiatives as examples of responsible innovation. Lim called for legislation that is enforceable\, practical\, and thoughtful. He reaffirmed Meta’s commitment to free speech while acknowledging the ongoing challenge of effective moderation. \n\n\n\nMediha Mahmood\, CEO of the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF)\, emphasised the importance of a collaborative\, consultative approach to responsible content governance. She explained that under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998\, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) enforces regulations while CMCF develops and maintains content standards as an industry-led body. \n\n\n\nShe noted a shift in public concerns from traditional media to complex online issues like child grooming and explicit content involving minors\, which has eroded trust among stakeholders. Mediha called for stronger digital literacy as a core skill\, not an add-on\, and stressed the urgency of integrating ethical safeguards into laws\, standards\, and AI systems.  \n\n\n\nShe advocated for consensus-driven governance that protects vulnerable groups—especially women and children—while respecting civil society’s role. While supporting self-regulation\, she stressed that it must be backed by shared principles and balanced regulation to uphold freedom of expression.The panel concluded with a strong call for multi-stakeholder collaboration to address Southeast Asia’s most urgent digital threats and rights challenges. Panellists and participants agreed that the session aligned closely with ASEAN’s regional goals\, including the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration\, both of which emphasise safe\, inclusive\, and rights-respecting digital ecosystems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists of the panel discussion were regional voices from civil society\, academia\, tech industry\, and media policy with a common interest in safeguarding safer and rights-based digital futures for Southeast Asia.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/panel-discussion-on-tech-abuse-threats-and-accountability-how-can-we-work-together/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250513T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250515T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T073248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T073251Z
UID:18738-1747094400-1747353599@initiate.my
SUMMARY:AI Workshop for Civil Society: Understanding AI Harms and the Need for Documentation
DESCRIPTION:Bali\, Indonesia\, 13-15 May 2025 – Hari Shankar\, INITIATE.MY’s Data Scientist\, participated in an intensive workshop hosted by EngageMedia. The programme was designed to equip civil society actors with the necessary tools to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) is developed and deployed in an accountable and ethical manner. The workshop\, led by award-winning journalist Karen Hao\, brought together experts from civil society\, academia\, and government to explore the multifaceted challenges of AI governance. The workshop sessions emphasised on the foundational principles to hands-on methods for investigating and documenting AI-related harms. \n\n\n\nFirst day \n\n\n\n\nreinforced the idea that the challenges posed by AI are not entirely new. Instead\, they are extensions of long-standing human rights concerns. \n\n\n\ninternational regulatory approaches. In particular\, the European Union’s risk-based AI Act was highlighted as a pioneering framework. This legislation categorises AI systems based on their potential for harm\, ranging from minimal risk to applications deemed “unacceptable\,” such as social scoring systems\, which are completely prohibited.\n\n\n\nthe importance of grounding AI governance in established human rights principles. Participants examined frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights\, which clearly delineate the responsibilities of both governments and private companies. Under this model\, states are expected to protect human rights\, while businesses must exercise due diligence to avoid causing harm.\n\n\n\nHuman Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) as a practical and proactive tool for evaluating the effects of AI systems. These assessments help organisations critically examine their assumptions\, anticipate how vulnerable communities might be affected\, and identify concrete strategies to mitigate potential harms.\n\n\n\n\nSecond day \n\n\n\n\nthe real-world implications of AI\, with a focus on systemic bias\, the spread of misinformation\, and the need for critical engagement with industry narratives. One impactful session revealed that AI systems are not inherently objective. When these systems are trained on historical data that reflects societal biases\, they can perpetuate and even exacerbate those biases. Concrete examples included a recruitment tool built using OpenAI’s GPT model that showed bias against job applicants with racially distinctive names\, as well as a welfare algorithm in Rotterdam that disproportionately penalised minority communities.\n\n\n\nThe role of AI in spreading misinformation and disinformation was another urgent topic\, particularly in the context of preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE). Participants examined how social media algorithms can be exploited to promote hate speech and extremist content. They also discussed the increasing threat of generative AI\, which can be used to produce persuasive and misleading propaganda at scale\n\n\n\nthe “AI B.S. Detector\,” encouraged participants to maintain a healthy scepticism toward overblown AI marketing claims and alarmist narratives about hypothetical\, long-term threats. The general consensus was that civil society should focus its attention on the tangible\, immediate harms caused by AI—such as discriminatory outcomes\, breaches of privacy\, and social polarisation—rather than on speculative concerns about existential risks.\n\n\n\n\nThe workshop also introduced several important tools and resources to support accountability efforts such as: \n\n\n\n\nUNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM)\, which is currently being implemented in over 70 countries\, including Indonesia\, to assess national preparedness for ethical AI deployment. \n\n\n\nAI incident databases\, such as the OECD’s AI Misuse (AIM) repository and the community-driven AI\, Algorithmic and Automation Incidents and Controversies (AIAAIC) archive. These platforms serve as essential resources for documenting real-world AI failures and informing better policies and regulatory frameworks.\n\n\n\ninsights into the AI development landscapes in Indonesia and Malaysia. These regional case studies included updates on emerging national strategies and governance initiatives\, such as Malaysia’s newly established National AI Office (NAIO)\, which reflect a growing recognition of the need for responsible innovation in the region.\n\n\n\n\nThe workshop strengthened INITIATE.MY’s capacity to protect marginalised communities from AI exploitation risks. Malicious actors exploit not only algorithms but also data voids\, manipulated content\, and weak platform design to amplify hate and violence. With enhanced understanding of AI governance and harm tracking\, INITIATE.MY can effectively advocate for evidence-based\, rights-respecting policy improvement. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParticipants at a three-day workshop of hands-on training on ethical\, rights-based approaches to AI accountability.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/ai-workshop-for-civil-society-understanding-ai-harms-and-the-need-for-documentation/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250510T090000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250510T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T073944Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T073948Z
UID:18740-1746867600-1746896400@initiate.my
SUMMARY:The Malaysian-ASEAN Youth SDG Summit 2025
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 10 May 2025 –  INITIATE.MY participated in the Malaysian-ASEAN Youth SDG Summit 2025\, a youth-driven regional gathering that united over 300 multi-stakeholder participants. The All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia for Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG) and its training arm MySDG Academy were the joint organisers of this summit with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia\, Malaysian Youth Council (MBM)\, and the United Nations Multi-Country Office for Malaysia\, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. The summit served as a dynamic platform for dialogue\, experimentation\, and action around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—led by and for youth.  \n\n\n\nEow Shiang Yen\, INITIATE.MY’s Communications Officer highlighted INITIATE.MY’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) work via the latest Peace Lab for Religious Leaders and Thinkers (PLRT) in 2024. PLRT is a youth empowerment initiative in collaboration with the  Malaysian Youth Diplomacy (MyDiplomacy) and MBM that tackles hate\, intolerance\, and radicalisation in Malaysia\, and empowers the youths to counter the harms through digital content creation and advocacy. \n\n\n\nA central highlight of the summit was the official launch of the W.A.Y. Forward Movement\, an initiative by APPGM-SDG and MySDG Academy to transform youth engagement from mere participation to co-leadership in achieving the SDGs. W.A.Y.—Weaving partnerships to Accelerate SDGs with You(th)—champions intergenerational\, cross-sectoral collaboration\, positioning youth as architects of systemic transformation.  \n\n\n\nThe summit redefined conventional formats through interactive SDG Labs\, themed side activities\, and a festive Utopia Night. Four SDG Labs explored Youth in Politics\, Community Empowerment\, Campus Advocacy\, and Corporate Sustainability—creating inclusive\, hands-on spaces for deep engagement. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY’s presence at the summit reaffirmed its commitment to Education for Sustainable Development\, and to amplify Youth\, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda including youth-led peacebuilding and digital advocacy initiatives. As sustainability must be lived\, felt\, and co-created\, INITIATE.MY looks forward to advancing collaborative efforts in alignment with SDG 4\, 10\, and 16\, both nationally and across Southeast Asia. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY highlighted its youth-led peacebuilding and digital advocacy efforts through the PLRT via a ESD poster at the Malaysian-ASEAN Youth SDG Summit 2025.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/the-malaysian-asean-youth-sdg-summit-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250509T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250512T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T074106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T074109Z
UID:18742-1746748800-1747094399@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Closed-Door Workshop on “Religion and Liberal Thought in Malay Society”
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 9–12 May 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the closed-door regional workshop “Religion and Liberal Thought in Malay Society\,” organised by Sisters in Islam (SIS). The event brought together civil society actors\, religious leaders\, legal professionals\, and researchers from Malaysia\, Indonesia\, and Singapore to examine liberal thought in Muslim-majority contexts and reflect on how state and religious actors securitise and misrepresent it. \n\n\n\nFacilitators presented Islamic concepts such as maqasid (higher objectives of Islamic law)\, maslahah (public interest)\, and mubadalah (reciprocal justice) as internal ethical tools. Participants engaged with these frameworks as grounded in Islamic tradition—not external ideas\, and used them to challenge exclusionary narratives. They explored how far-right and extremist actors weaponise terms like “liberalism” through emotional rhetoric\, selective scripture\, and institutional gatekeeping. \n\n\n\nParticipants identified how institutionalised religion across all major faiths often prioritises control over inclusion. They discussed how these dynamics shrink civic space\, discourage diversity of belief\, and create environments that undermine trust and resilience. In Malaysia\, participants reflected on how dual legal systems (civil and Syariah) affect both Muslims and non-Muslims\, and how state policies often politicise religion in ways that marginalise minority communities and reinforce identity-based divisions. \n\n\n\nThrough polling\, reflection exercises\, and Forum Theatre\, participants examined real-world scenarios involving discrimination\, moral policing\, and institutional exclusion. These sessions reinforced the need for community-based approaches to PCVE that focus on root causes such as injustice\, identity insecurity\, and lack of civic trust rather than reactive or security-heavy responses. \n\n\n\nSpeakers from Indonesia and Singapore offered comparative insights\, showing how decentralised religious authority and open public discourse create more pluralistic and inclusive societies. Participants also called on interfaith leaders to hold their own traditions accountable\, challenge internal biases\, and resist identity-based political agendas. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY used the space to deepen the team’s understanding of how ideological control and religious politicisation fuel societal polarisation and strengthen the policy and community work in promoting resilience against extremism.  \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParticipants of the workshop were united in challenging exclusionary narratives and strengthening community-centered approaches to justice and resilience across Malaysia\, Indonesia\, and Singapore.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/closed-door-workshop-on-religion-and-liberal-thought-in-malay-society/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250508T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250508T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T074258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T074300Z
UID:18744-1746691200-1746723600@initiate.my
SUMMARY:UNCAC Awareness and Implementation Workshop for Civil Society in Malaysia
DESCRIPTION:Petaling Jaya\, 8 May 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Awareness and Implementation Workshop for Civil Society in Malaysia\, hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M). The workshop gathered civil society groups\, legal experts\, and anti-corruption advocates to reflect on Malaysia’s progress under the UNCAC and explore ways forward. \n\n\n\nCorruption remains a key obstacle to development and good governance in Southeast Asia. This workshop has served several purposes: \n\n\n\n\nTimely space to assess Malaysia’s anti-corruption efforts\, particularly in response to two UNCAC review cycles conducted in 2013 and 2017. These reviews focused on key areas such as law enforcement\, preventive measures\, and asset recovery\, offering both insights and recommendations for reform.\n\n\n\nThe linkage between corruption and organised crime. Case studies such as the 1MDB scandal highlighted how large-scale corruption can enable crimes like money laundering. While other examples showed how organised criminal networks have facilitated terrorism financing.\n\n\n\nStrengthening the role of civil society in UNCAC implementation\, encouraging knowledge exchange\, and identifying actionable strategies to address ongoing gaps.\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY shared reflections from its policy work on Malaysia’s National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (MyPCVE). Drawing from its 2022 policy brief “Civil Society Deserves a Seat at the Table\,” INITIATE.MY documented how civil society is often sidelined in security policymaking processes. This exclusion is not unique to the security sector as similar gaps are evident in UNCAC processes\, where civil society organisations are rarely included in formal reviews. Without genuine civil society engagement\, transparency and reform risk falling short. \n\n\n\nOverall\, the workshop provided an opportunity to engage with civil society organisations and anti-corruption experts and deepened the organisation’s capacity in understanding international anti-corruption frameworks\, and reflecting on how corruption intersects with INITIATE.MY’s work to prevent extremism and terrorism. This includes the patronage and financing aspects; the terrorist financing to sanctioned groups such as IS and the misappropriation of charity funds under the guise of humanitarian and religious causes such as AMAN Palestin and GISB Holdings cases in 2024. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCivil society representatives\, legal experts\, and anti-corruption advocates in Malaysia gathered at the UNCAC Awareness and Implementation Workshop\, reaffirming their commitment to transparency\, accountability\, and inclusive governance.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/uncac-awareness-and-implementation-workshop-for-civil-society-in-malaysia/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250430T090000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250430T160000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T074504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T074509Z
UID:18746-1746003600-1746028800@initiate.my
SUMMARY:INITIATE.MY’s Self-Care and Well-Being Session
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 30 April 2025 – INITIATE.MY organised a Self-Care and Well-Being Session facilitated by a clinical psychologist Dr. Vizla Kumaresan as part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to its team’s mental health and well-being with a backdrop of challenging advocacy and research environments. \n\n\n\nDr. Vizla guided participants through discussions and exercises on managing stress and burnout\, achieving work-life balance\, setting personal boundaries\, and using coping strategies for anxiety and depression. She also introduced self-care practices and mindfulness techniques. Participants gained practical tools to strengthen emotional resilience and manage the pressures of their advocacy and research work more sustainably. INITIATE.MY also provided mental health guides\, videos\, and mindfulness tools to support participants beyond the session. \n\n\n\nDr. Vizla addressed the often-overlooked psychological toll of working on emotionally intense topics. She explained how such work can trigger physical and emotional reactions and offered healthy ways to respond. She also covered how to engage with distressing data\, navigate sensitive topics\, involve men in mental health conversations\, and maintain well-being while confronting personal biases—especially when researching far-right  \n\n\n\nThis session marked a major step forward in normalising mental health conversations within the organisation. It reinforced the organisation’s commitment to creating psychologically safe workspaces as part of its 2025 professional development roadmap. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY team came together to prioritise mental health and self-care.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/initiate-mys-self-care-and-well-being-session/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250425T090000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250425T170000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T074815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T074822Z
UID:18750-1745571600-1745600400@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Workshop on Empowering Communities in Asia to Use ALDOUS Generative AI for PCVE
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 25 April 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the Generative AI for Counter-Terrorism Workshop focused on the theme “Empowering Communities in Asia to Use ALDOUS Generative AI for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).”  \n\n\n\nThe workshop\, hosted by Mythos Labs and Meta with Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) as the strategic partner\, aimed to equip law enforcement and civil society practitioners with the knowledge and tools to utilise ALDOUS\, an advanced AI-powered solution\, to support counter-terrorism efforts. \n\n\n\nParticipants from Asia Pacific gathered to explore how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) can enhance the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The workshop provided a platform for sharing strategies and practical applications of AI in counterterrorism work. \n\n\n\nThe Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia\, H.E. Datuk Mohamad Bin Alamin\, officiated the event. Datin Paduka Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib\, Director of the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) delivered a keynote speech and shared valuable insights on the growing role of AI in addressing violent extremism. \n\n\n\nMythos Labs introduced Aldous as a tool that enables practitioners to detect threats earlier\, combat radicalisation at scale\, and improve response readiness. The team also showcased two specialised chatbots powered by Aldous: \n\n\n\n\nAlethia\, which supports deradicalisation and rehabilitation by engaging with radicalised individuals and former terrorist fighters (FTFs) to help reintegrate them into society.\n\n\n\nProtheus\, which simulates conversations with radicalised individuals to test counter-narratives and train officers in effective engagement techniques.\n\n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY is further keen to learn and contribute on how these AI tools can be adapted to regional and local contexts to support the implementation of the Malaysian Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (MyPCVE). By participating in this workshop\, it complements INITIATE.MY’s capacity in integrating AI into community-based counterterrorism efforts.  \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n INITIATE.MY team participated in the AI for Counter-Terrorism Workshop\, hosted by Mythos Labs and Meta\, exploring the use of ALDOUS generative AI to support P/CVE efforts across Asia-Pacific.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/workshop-on-empowering-communities-in-asia-to-use-aldous-generative-ai-for-pcve/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250425T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250428T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T074633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T075750Z
UID:18748-1745539200-1745884799@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Future Action Summit 2025
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 25–28 April 2025 – Future Action Summit (FAS) 2025 brought together over 120 passionate youth from around the world in Kuala Lumpur. Echo Change led the event in partnership with the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) and Kenan Foundation Asia. Over four days\, young leaders collaborated\, exchanged bold ideas\, and built actionable solutions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). \n\n\n\nThe summit featured interactive workshops\, panel discussions\, cultural showcases\, and networking sessions. Participants tackled pressing global issues—such as youth empowerment\, peace and security (SDG 16)\, and climate leadership—and explored strategies to overcome resource limitations and systemic inequality. Their contributions generated momentum toward the 2030 SDG agenda. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY actively shaped the summit’s impact. Representing the organisation\, Hisham Muhaimi led two key sessions. In a fireside chat with Paula Porras and Sahlim Charles\, he explored how youth can drive SDG 16 through peacebuilding and institutional reform. In a panel with Philip Gassert and Elisa Shafiqah\, he examined practical strategies\, shared lessons learned\, and proposed solutions to fast-track SDG progress. These sessions connected youth perspectives with expert insights and reaffirmed INITIATE.MY’s commitment to SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development)\, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)\, and SDG 16. \n\n\n\nFAS 2025 activated the Quadruple Helix model by bringing together youth\, government\, academia\, civil society\, and the private sector. The summit catalysed new SDG initiatives and strengthened global networks. INITIATE.MY helped drive this momentum by facilitating partnerships and co-creating innovative responses to global challenges. \n\n\n\nThrough education\, advocacy\, and collaboration\, INITIATE.MY continues to lead efforts that advance sustainable development goals. The organisation remains committed to building a more inclusive\, just\, and resilient future by 2030. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOver 130 global youth participants united at FAS 2025 in Kuala Lumpur\, led by Echo Change with INITIATE.MY and Kenan Foundation.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/future-action-summit-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250409T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250411T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250801T075225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T075229Z
UID:18754-1744156800-1744415999@initiate.my
SUMMARY:2nd National Action Plan Women Peace Security Academy Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Jakarta\, Indonesia\, 9-11 April 2025 – The ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) and UN Women Indonesia jointly organised the 2nd National Action Plan (NAP) Women\, Peace\, and Security (WPS) Academy Workshop\, themed “Strengthening the Implementation and ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on WPS at the National Level.” The Governments of Canada\, the Republic of Korea\, and the United Kingdom supported the workshop.  \n\n\n\nThis is part of the ASEAN-wide initiative in empowering women for sustainable peace\,  prevention of violence\, and promoting social cohesion in ASEAN. It brought together government focal points and civil society representatives from Indonesia\, Malaysia\, Cambodia\, Thailand\, and Vietnam\, with approximately six participants from each country.  \n\n\n\nOver three days\, the workshop facilitated capacity-building\, peer learning\, and strategic dialogue aimed at improving the development and implementation of national-level WPS\, while also aligning these efforts with the ASEAN-level WPS.  \n\n\n\nEow Shiang Yen\, Communications Officer of INITIATE.MY participated in this workshop with Malaysian delegates representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs\, Ministry of Home Affairs\, Ministry of Women\, Family and Community Development\, Malaysian Armed Forces\, and Sisters in Islam (SIS) or known as SIS Forum. \n\n\n\nThroughout the sessions\, participants:  \n\n\n\n\nenhanced their skills and institutional capacities to design\, monitor\, and evaluate NAPs more effectively. \n\n\n\nexchanged good practices and lessons learned from their respective national contexts and explored the use of ASEAN’s WPS Localisation Toolkit and Guidelines as a means to adapt regional goals to local realities.\n\n\n\ndiscussed ways to strengthen coordination mechanisms\, promote institutional accountability\, and ensure that civil society organisations play a central role in national and local WPS implementation.\n\n\n\ndiscussed lessons learned from over two decades of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325\, and strategies for integrating emerging challenges such as climate change\, cybersecurity\, and violent extremism into the WPS framework. \n\n\n\n\nThe workshop highlighted the need to localise WPS commitments by adapting them to specific political\, cultural\, and institutional contexts within each ASEAN Member State. Localisation is not a mere administrative task but a transformative process that enhances legitimacy\, relevance\, and impact on the ground. There was a sharing session on case studies in Indonesia\, the Philippines\, Timor-Leste\, Thailand\, and Cambodia\, highlighting inclusive coordination models and the value of grassroots engagement in advancing gender-responsive peacebuilding. \n\n\n\nNotably\, the workshop coincided with Malaysia’s forthcoming milestone\, as the Ministry of Women\, Family and Community Development moves toward the official launch of the country’s first National Action Plan on Women\, Peace and Security in September 2025. INITIATE.MY views this development as an opportunity to fully translate Malaysia’s commitment to the regional WPS framework into the national WPS. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParticipants of the 2nd NAP-WPS Academy Workshop in Jakarta\, Indonesia representing ASEAN Member States\, civil society\, and international partners gathered to strengthen regional collaboration and localisation of the WPS agenda.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/2nd-national-action-plan-women-peace-security-academy-workshop/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250325T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250325T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250515T080239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T080242Z
UID:18441-1742860800-1742947199@initiate.my
SUMMARY:MCCHR’s Buku Beyond Bars
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 25 March 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the Buku Beyond Bars roundtable discussion held at the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) office. The discussion focused on prison rehabilitation programmes and the challenges former inmates face in reintegrating into society. \n\n\n\nAs part of MCCHR’s campaign\, the event aimed to expand prison library collections and promote rehabilitation opportunities within the prison system. Participants came from diverse backgrounds\, including NGO professionals\, medical students\, and other key stakeholders committed to improving reintegration support and advancing prison reform efforts. \n\n\n\nThe discussion highlighted several pressing issues in prison rehabilitation\, particularly the limited skills and support prisoners receive upon release. Participants stressed that rehabilitation must include not only educational support\, but also stronger psychosocial assistance. They recommended expanding and improving the implementation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)\, noting that current programmes are often inaccessible or lack depth. \n\n\n\nA key concern raised was the shortage of essential resources\, including trained personnel\, educational materials\, mental health services\, and vocational training facilities in both adult prisons and youth correctional centres. To address these gaps\, participants proposed developing tailored rehabilitation programmes and actively involving prison wardens in their delivery. \n\n\n\nThe discussion also focused on reintegration challenges\, particularly the psychological effects of incarceration. Long-term inmates often experience institutionalisation\, becoming so dependent on the rigid structure of prison life that they struggle to adapt upon release. This is compounded by societal stigma\, which hinders their ability to rebuild family ties\, reintegrate into the community\, and secure employment—factors that increase the risk of recidivism. Participants cited the “Norwegian prison system as a successful model\, highlighting its emphasis on rehabilitation and significantly lower reoffending rates. \n\n\n\nHisham Muhaimi contributed insights on the lack of effective rehabilitation programmes for former security detainees (FSD) detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA)\, Prevention of Crime Act (POCA)\, and Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Although general rehabilitation efforts exist\, there are currently no targeted programmes designed to address the specific needs of these individuals. Participants also discussed the government’s reluctance to collaborate with NGOs\, often citing limited resources\, which further complicates efforts to fill this gap. \n\n\n\nThe event concluded with a call for tailored rehabilitation that prioritises skills\, social reintegration\, and vocational training to reduce recidivism and support comprehensive reintegration. \n\n\n\nParticipants at MCCHR’s Buku Beyond Bars’ roundtable discussion.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/mcchrs-buku-beyond-bars/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250325T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250325T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250515T075011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T075342Z
UID:18435-1742860800-1742947199@initiate.my
SUMMARY:RightsCon 2025’s Shareback Session
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 25 March 2025 – As a follow-up to the summit\, INITIATE.MY participated in a shareback session hosted by the event sponsor\, Luminate Foundation. The session brought together Malaysian participants of RightsCon 2025\, including Architects of Diversity (AoD)\, Freedom Film Network\, Sinar Project\, and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ). During the session\, participants reflected on key learnings from the summit\, identified overlapping areas of interest\, and explored possibilities for future collaboration. \n\n\n\nBefore\, INITIATE.MY participated in RightsCon 2025\, held from 24 to 27 February 2025 in Taipei\, Taiwan\, and organised by Access Now. As the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age\, RightsCon brings together business leaders\, policymakers\, legal experts\, government officials\, technologists\, academics\, journalists\, and human rights advocates to tackle urgent challenges at the intersection of human rights and technology. \n\n\n\nThis year’s summit featured a dynamic mix of fireside chats\, workshops\, strategic roundtables\, private meetings\, and an interactive exhibition space. Key focus areas included artificial intelligence\, freedom of expression\, surveillance\, content moderation\, and data protection. INITIATE.MY joined the event remotely and attended selected online sessions\, focusing on issues related to Southeast Asia\, civic space\, and grassroots digital security. \n\n\n\nHisham Muhaimi\, representing INITIATE.MY during the shareback session\, highlighted the value of exploring the wide range of digital security practices and tools showcased at RightsCon. These included the Secure Drop Workstation\, a secure platform enabling whistleblowers and journalists to exchange sensitive documents safely; the digisec.wiki\, a living resource that compiles practical digital safety guides for activists and civil society groups; and Pari AI\, a tool designed to detect and monitor online hate speech\, particularly on social media platforms. \n\n\n\nLearning how other groups have integrated these technologies into their work inspired INITIATE.MY to consider how similar efforts could be piloted or adapted locally\, especially to monitor election-related digital abuse\, hate speech\, and extremism. \n\n\n\nThese tools are directly relevant to INITIATE.MY’s work in countering online harassment\, disinformation\, and digital hate speech—issues that disproportionately affect marginalised communities\, women\, and human rights defenders in Malaysia. Tools like Pari AI provide practical solutions for organisations to track and respond to harmful narratives in real time\, enabling more strategic and data-driven advocacy. \n\n\n\nLocalising these tools and frameworks within INITIATE.MY’s digital safety and literacy programmes could significantly strengthen the capacity of activists\, journalists\, and community organisations to detect risks early\, respond effectively\, and advocate for platform accountability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. \n\n\n\nMoving forward\, INITIATE.MY aims to apply these RightsCon insights to develop impactful local programming\, push for community-informed policy frameworks\, and contribute to broader regional discussions on human rights in the digital age. \n\n\n\nRightsCon 2025 offered interactive sessions on AI\, digital rights\, surveillance\, content moderation\, and data protection.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/rightscon-2025s-shareback-session/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250321T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250515T083544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T073418Z
UID:18444-1742515200-1742601599@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Knowledge Hub’s First Session on Mapping the Landscape of Tech Abuse in Malaysia 
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 21 March 2025 – INITIATE.MY held the first session of its Knowledge Hub project\, titled “Mapping the Landscape of Tech Abuse in Malaysia\,” to address rising technology-facilitated abuse. First launched during the Luminate Foundation Convening in November 2024\, the Knowledge Hub is a collaborative initiative led by 15 expert practitioners from Malaysian civil society organisations (CSOs). It aims to strengthen CSO capacity to understand and respond to digital threats through collaborative learning and evidence-based approaches. \n\n\n\nThe first session brought together 20 participants from diverse CSOs working in civil and political rights\, counter-extremism\, gender advocacy\, and child protection. It aimed to build collective understanding of tech abuse and map emerging digital threats that endanger both civil society work and broader at-risk communities in Malaysia. \n\n\n\nDuring the session\, participants discussed several things: \n\n\n\n\nThe role of state and corporate actors in manipulating public opinion and repressing civil society through online platforms. This includes mining personal data to deliver targeted political propaganda aimed at influencing electoral outcomes. They also use pseudo-news portals and private chat channels to conduct doxxing campaigns against civil society organisations and human rights defenders. These actions have had real-life consequences\, undermining both civic participation and democratic space.\n\n\n\nThe tactics and spread of radicalising narratives online\, particularly those rooted in ethnoreligious supremacy and anti-minority ideologies. Participants examined how actors use social media and generative AI to increase reach and simulate organic engagement. These narratives have contributed to offline consequences\, including violence. Many of these messages evade platform enforcement due to their indirect or coded language\, raising concerns about the effectiveness of both AI and human content moderation.\n\n\n\nThe rise of anti-rights and anti-gender narratives\, fuelled by the global surge of far-right politics and disinformation strategies that are now being localised in Malaysia. Participants noted how these narratives promote prejudice and restrict rights\, especially targeting women and LGBTQ+ communities.\n\n\n\nThe growing threat of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA)\, including grooming through digital platforms. Participants highlighted the gaps in legal protections and policy frameworks\, stressing the urgent need to centre children’s safety in both digital governance and law reform efforts.\n\n\n\n\nIn breakout discussions\, participants proposed tools to monitor and document tech abuse threats\, recommending Bayanat and HURIDOCS for data collection and classification\, and Newsgraphy for visual storytelling. They identified urgent threats such as coordinated disinformation campaigns\, AI-generated sexual abuse content\, and the spread of dangerous narratives across digital platforms. \n\n\n\nThe Knowledge Hub will continue to build on these efforts through upcoming sessions\, an online repository\, a policy paper\, and a practical toolkit. The next session will focus on data-driven advocacy\, offering hands-on skills in real-time monitoring\, OSINT techniques\, data collection\, and ethical practices for evidence-based advocacy. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nThe Knowledge Hub ‘s CSO partners participated in the first session.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/knowledge-hubs-first-session-on-mapping-the-landscape-of-tech-abuse-in-malaysia/
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DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250310T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250310T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250516T072048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T072052Z
UID:18451-1741564800-1741651199@initiate.my
SUMMARY:INITIATE.MY’s Buka Puasa
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 10 March 2025 – INITIATE.MY hosted a Buka Puasa gathering during the final days of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur\, bringing together its Board of Experts\, along with partners from the diplomatic community\, international organisations\, and government and law enforcement agencies. The event provided an opportunity for guests to reconnect\, network\, and exchange ideas\, particularly on issues related to security and human rights. Guests enjoyed a variety of traditional Malay delicacies\, offering an authentic Ramadan dining experience. \n\n\n\nIn his remarks\, Aizat Shamsuddin\, Founder and Director of INITIATE.MY\, expressed gratitude for the continued support and collaboration from partners. He stressed that such partnerships are vital in the shared mission of democratising the security sector\, particularly in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE). He also highlighted INITIATE.MY’s commitment to fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration by bridging civil society with other sectors\, and uniting diverse expertise across ethnic\, religious\, and gender lines. \n\n\n\nAizat thanked the guests for their support of the organisation to advance democratising the security sector.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/initiate-mys-buka-puasa/
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DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250220T000000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20250220T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250516T072921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T072928Z
UID:18454-1740009600-1740095999@initiate.my
SUMMARY:INITIATE.MY’S Courtesy Visit to Yayasan MySDG
DESCRIPTION:Kuala Lumpur\, 20 February 2025 –  INITIATE.MY paid a courtesy visit to Yayasan MySDG\, a foundation established under the Ministry of Finance to support Malaysia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda through collaborative partnerships and strategic initiatives. \n\n\n\nYayasan MySDG was represented by Anita Ahmad\, Chief Executive Officer\, Anjulie Razak\, Strategy & Partnerships Manager\, and Nor Hafizan bin Ahmad Kalana\, Associate. INITIATE.MY was represented by Aizat Shamsuddin\, Founder\, Qiana Falisha Aufiya Jessica\, Project Officer and Eow Shiang Yen\, Communications Officer. \n\n\n\nThe meeting served as a platform for both organisations to exchange ideas on advancing SDG efforts\, particularly in the areas of social inclusion\, peacebuilding\, and human rights—core focus areas for INITIATE.MY. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY shared its previous and ongoing initiatives\, including work on preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE)\, providing aftercare assistance for Former Security Detainees\, and advocating for digital rights in Malaysia. In turn\, Anita Ahmad outlined Yayasan MySDG’s focus on empowering underprivileged communities and reducing inequalities. \n\n\n\nBoth parties recognised the importance of integrating civil society’s grassroots perspectives into efforts to build holistic and sustainable solutions. They also exchanged insights on key SDG goals—SDG 16 (Peace\, Justice\, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). \n\n\n\nThis courtesy visit helped both organisations gain a deeper understanding of each other’s work and priorities. Moving forward\, INITIATE.MY and Yayasan MySDG expressed their commitment to sharing networks\, exchanging information\, and collaborating to advance the SDG 16 and SDG 10 agenda. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY had a productive exchange with Yayasan MySDG and gained clearer insight into the foundation’s work and priorities.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/initiate-mys-courtesy-visit-to-yayasan-mysdg/
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DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20241212T180000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Shanghai:20241212T220000
DTSTAMP:20260406T005921
CREATED:20250128T004228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250303T134203Z
UID:18077-1734026400-1734040800@initiate.my
SUMMARY:Architects of Diversity’s End of Year Dinner
DESCRIPTION:Putrajaya\, 12 December 2024 – INITIATE.MY attended the End-of-Year Dinner hosted by Architects of Diversity (AOD)\, an organisation that shares overlapping goals with INITIATE.MY in youth empowerment\, capacity building\, and digital rights. The End of Year Dinner brought together AOD’s staff\, alumni\, partners\, and friends to celebrate AOD’s collective achievements\, reflect on AOD’s journey\, and envision the future of a more inclusive Malaysia.  \n\n\n\nIn his opening speech\, Jason Wee\, Executive Director of AOD\, commended the dedication and passion of everyone who has contributed to AOD’s mission over the past year. He highlighted AOD’s inclusive strategies for fostering an appreciation of diversity in various settings\, involving stakeholders from a range of backgrounds. \n\n\n\nThe dinner also featured remarks from two distinguished guests: YB Syahredzan bin Johan\, Member of Parliament for Bangi\, and YB Michelle Ng Mei Sze\, State Assemblyperson for Subang Jaya. YB Syahredzan shared personal stories of growth while serving one of Malaysia’s most populous and diverse constituencies\, emphasising the importance of breaking barriers and fostering understanding through daily social interactions. The event concluded with “Paint the Future\,” a collaborative activity where attendees envisioned and illustrated the Malaysia they aspire to live in. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY is committed to strengthening its partnership with AOD\, particularly as part of the Luminate Foundation’s civil society network. Together\, these organisations aim to promote the responsible use of technology and foster social cohesion.. Collaboration among civil society organisations is essential to addressing Malaysia’s pressing social challenges and building a more inclusive future. \n\n\n\nINITIATE.MY team took the opportunity to reconnect with one another and engage with  the AOD community.
URL:https://initiate.my/event/architects-of-diversitys-end-of-year-dinner/
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