12 March 2026 (Virtual) – INITIATE.MY participated in the “R&R Series n.1: Trust Building and Public Communications in Rehabilitation and Reintegration”, organised by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) in collaboration with the University of Leeds. The session brought together participants and practitioners from across the globe, including speakers from Yemen, Mali, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, and Kosovo, to share grounded experiences on building trust and communicating effectively in rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) efforts.
Speakers:
- Mohammed Ali (Resonate Yemen)
- Abdou Kola (Think Peace Mali)
- Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman (Teach Peace Build Peace Philippines)
- Amir Mukambetov (SOS Kyrgyzstan)
- Kreshnik Gashi (BIRN Kosovo)
Across two panels, speakers emphasised that trust-building is a long-term process rooted in consistency, transparency, and meaningful engagement with communities. Key reflections included:
- Trust is built through actions and tangible results, not just intentions
- Inclusive approaches—such as engaging youth, community leaders, and women—are critical
- Transparency and honesty foster credibility, even when challenges arise
- Consistent communication and joint facilitation help strengthen relationships
- Shifting harmful or entrenched narratives requires sustained, localised efforts
On public communications in R&R, discussions focused on the importance of being strategic, clear, and audience-centred:
- Work closely with media to shape accurate and responsible narratives
- Tailor messaging to the needs and understanding of different audiences
- Monitor and manage information carefully to avoid misinterpretation
- Communicate proactively and avoid delays or unfulfilled commitments
- Share information strategically to build confidence without overpromising
For INITIATE.MY, and in line with its policy briefs Reintegrating Former Security Detainees: Challenges and Opportunities, the session reinforced that effective rehabilitation and reintegration requires more than programme design. It depends on long-term trust-building, clear public communication, and sustained engagement with communities, families, media, and institutions to strengthen rights-based and community-centred responses to violent extremism.