Terrorism tackled in SCN meeting

ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco has joined an international steering committee meeting facilitated by the Strong Cities Network (SCN) which discussed the efforts of the local government in “Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism.”

The virtual meeting was aimed at addressing all forms of violent extremism, hate and polarisation, while promoting a human rights-based prevention framework in which local knowledge and practice informs national, regional and international approaches.

The steering committee - which consists of a geographically diverse group of representatives from up to 25 cities and local governments, which are members of the SCN - is the leadership and decision-making body of the SCN. It provides strategic direction and promotes the SCN’s mission guided by its members.

Climaco, a staunch peace advocate, was the recipient of the United States plaque of “Recognition of Distinction” for her dedicated support to the “Countering Violent Extremism Program” (CVET) and its successful outcome in Zamboanga City.

The award was given recently by the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) under the Department of Justice. ICITAP-Philippines Attaché Juan Bortfeld presented the plaque to Climaco through Eric Orillaneda, ICITAP Site Supervisor. 

The plaque cited Climaco’s “visionary leadership of local government, exemplified through collaborative outreach with partnering agencies, augmenting capacity building and development opportunities for leading constituents enhancing their abilities to improve the quality of life for the citizens they serve.” 

Bortfeld also awarded Climaco’s executive assistant, Jojo Abdusalam, with a plaque honoring his distinctive service during the series of community dialogues and other activities on the CVET. 

Last March, Climaco was also featured from among over a dozen selected mayors and practitioners from all over the world and spoke at the SCN’s “Strong Cities, Strong Female Leadership,” in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The SCN asked leading female mayors, policy leaders, directors and practitioners from a broad spectrum across our global network to give their views. The first in the list to answer was Climaco and these were the answers she had given to a set of questions from the organizer. 

Why is female leadership important to building community resilience? “Women by nature are nurturing, caring and can multitask across the workplace, at home and with their families. When rebels attacked our city, my priority was our people – 120,000 were displaced and many living in fear.  Being a family counsellor, I made sure hostages got psychological first aid.  By night, I would be in communities reassuring their safety. This built trust since people knew the Lady Mayor was present with them.”

What advice would you give to girls and women aspiring to get involved in local government? “Follow your heart.  Make your voice heard.  You are a leader with big heart.” 

How can we as a global society support increased female leadership on local issues? “Hone women from childhood. My mom told me to speak out for my rights as a girl and teenager. We must continue to educate women of our rights and our significant roles in contributing to our community.”

Aside from Climaco, among in the list or mayors and professionals who joined the forum were the following: Mayor Anna König Jerlmyr, Stockholm, Sweden; Mayor Valérie Plante, Montreal, Canada; Vice-Mayor Rina Mariann Hansen, Oslo, Norway; Rubina Abu Zeinab, National Coordinator for Preventing Violent Extremism, Lebanon; Gulmina Bilal, Director for Individualland in Nowshera, Pakistan; Munira Hamisi, Director for CVE and Community Engagement in Mombasa, Kenya; Malin Martelius, Safety and Security Coordinator in Malmö, Sweden; 

Julie McKercher, MERIT Specialist from Ottawa, Canada; Marijeta Mojasevic, Youth Advisor in the Municipality of Berane, Montenegro; Johanne Nilsen, Crime Prevention Coordinator in Kristiansand, Norway; Rehema Zaid Obuyi - Integrated Initiatives for Community Empowerment in Nairobi, Kenya; Joumana Silyan-Saba, from Los Angeles in the U.S.A.; Desanka Stoshevska, Secretary of the Municipality of Kumanovo in North Macedonia. 

And early this year, the SCN also invited Climaco to join a group of selected global mayors for an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Climaco said she was impressed by the wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who talked about the Covid-19 pandemic and appreciating medical scientists and health workers for their sacrifices, learning and listening to experts, and telling everyone to be cautious.

The webcast was held from the residence of His Holiness in Dharamsala in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and broadcast live in Zamboanga City, India, Los Angeles and Washington DC in the United States, London in the United Kingdom, Beirut in Lebanon, Nairobi in Kenya, Surabaya in Indonesia and Melbourne in Australia.

SCN is the first ever global network of mayors, policymakers and practitioners united in building social cohesion and resilience to counter violent extremism in all its forms. (Zamboanga Post)