Interagency Structures used by Governments to build a WOG approach to counter violent extremism (CVE) across countries

Abstract

The need to coordinate all aspects of government policy-making and service offering mechanisms has increasingly gained critical relevance if the complex security challenges governments face in contemporary times will be addressed. The WOG approach to national security aspires to alleviate the problems and challenges that associated incongruence, duplication and inefficiencies goals, collaborative decision-making, and integrated processes of service delivery by the government. This is typically evident in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Building on evidence in these Western countries is a step in the right direction to avail insight on WOG approaches to countering violent extremisms (CVE). The study, therefore, set forth to investigate the type, frequency, rationale and benefits/limitations of different interagency structures used by governments to build a WOG approach in terms of both CVE policy Development and Program Delivery as relevant to the UAE. Research questions presented for empirical assessment towards the achievement of the aim of the study were principally explanatory and partly descriptive. The qualitative research methodology was considered in a case study research strategy. Interview discussions with carefully selected subject-matter-experts of WOG-CVE were considered. Three main case study countries were considered; these include Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). The qualitative approach was essential to help understand deep rooted CVE policy development and programs delivery operationalization mechanisms that exist across countries. Data were analysed with the help of qualitative content analysis of transcribed interviews. Results indicate that the case study countries share many similarities and some differences in all areas of WOG-CVE policy development and programs delivery, Main similarities exist in the area of common benefits, challenges and mitigation strategies. WOG CVE operationalization also revealed similarities in areas of budgetary allocation, meetings, and general organization. Key areas area of observable difference is that WOG-CVE in Australia and Canada are institutional-based whist WOG-CVE in the UK are system-based carried out by law enforcement agencies. Another area of contrast is the rationale behind WOG-CVE; whereas Canada focuses on the need to remove the underlying cause of radicalization as well the need for security, education, and public health, Australia focuses on the need to formulate policies and deliver services associated with CVE, and the UK focuses on the need for the government to remain aware of violent extremisms that threaten the security of people and property. Cultural orientation across case study countries and in comparison, with UAE cultural distance index (CDI), reveals the need to take on implementing findings to the UAE context considering significant differences in power distance, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance. iv It is concluded that the lack of institutional frameworks or when existing institutions are not offered the chance to possess overarching authority on CVE policy developments and programs delivery but left to an implicit strategy, CVE implementation may face resistance and more challenges to implementation. It is also concluded that culture to a large extent implicates the nature and effectiveness of WOG-CVE. It is recommended that UAE considers differences in power distance, individualism and uncertainty avoidance in event of adapting any CVE strategy form its Western counterparts. Ultimately, a formal structural environment, highly collaborative system-wide atmosphere and collectivist responsibilities will work best in UAE. Finally, UAE must build on the efficiencies of precise instructions, detailed assignments and strict timetables as opposed to case study countries. It is also commended that the UAE adopts a more integrated approach to CVE by publishing more policy documentation and updates through the Hedayah Centre or other institution of similar designation. A systematic approach to further understand the complexity of the phenomena of violent extremism in the UAE surrounding regions must also be installed.

Date of Award	Dec 2017
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Athol Yates (Supervisor)