World Anti Extremism Network

06/03/2026

📢Call for Abstracts: Case Studies on Extremist Movements

The World Anti-Extremism Network (WAEN) is pleased to invite scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for case studies on extremist movements in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

✍️📝Authors will be paid an honorarium for their work, and they will also be invited to present their case study at the World Anti-Extremism Network's Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada.

🗓️The deadline to submit 200-word abstracts is June 20, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET).

For full details and application submission, please click the link below:

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The World Anti-Extremism Network (WAEN) invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for a new series of six in-depth, high-quality case studies examining extremist movements across Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan,…

05/31/2026

Now live: WAEN’s May 2026 Newsletter.
From violence in Mali and growing hostility toward Christians in Jerusalem to political repression in Iran, rising antisemitic attacks in the United States, and transnational pressure highlighted by the suspension of RightsCon in Zambia, the WAEN May Newsletter explores key global human rights flashpoints.

📝It also features research by Muhammad Anwar on civil resistance in Pakistan and an article on the erasure of girls’ education in Afghanistan.

👉 Read the full newsletter here:

The latest edition of the World Anti-Extremism Network’s May Newsletter explores escalating human rights concerns and shrinking civic space across multiple regions. This month’s issue examines rising violence in Mali,…

05/30/2026

Katherine Barota, Local Coordinator at Students for Liberty, shared her perspective on the ‘Freedom Stage’ of the Toronto Democracy Forum 2025, noting that a lack of pluralism and tolerance poses a serious threat to democracy both locally and globally. She emphasized that rebuilding trust in civic institutions requires greater transparency, more open systems, and protecting the right to peacefully dissent and express public concerns.

05/25/2026

📰 What happens when millions of girls are denied the right to learn?
Since 2021, the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education have reversed decades of progress in Afghanistan, deepening poverty, inequality, and social instability while silencing an entire generation of young women.

Read our latest published article, From Classrooms to Silence: The Erasure of Girls’ Education in Afghanistan on our website written by A***n Adib, a graduate of the International Human Rights Certificate program.

Introduction A new academic year once symbolized hope and renewal for Afghan girls across Afghanistan. However, since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, this sense of opportunity has been replaced…

05/24/2026

📰 WAEN’s Monthly Infographic Project returns with a focused look at the Israel–Iran War and its regional implications.
This edition highlights key developments, casualty figures, and wider humanitarian and economic impacts of the conflict.

Explore the full infographic series here—swipe to view.

👉For sources, references, and additional information, please visit our website.

🌐 https://worldantiextremism.org/inside-the-israel-iran-war-key-facts-figures/

05/19/2026

⏳ Only 6 days left to apply for WAEN’s International Human Rights Certificate for Young Leaders!
A one-month online program for emerging changemakers worldwide, now in its 6th edition.

Explore full details and apply before 25th May at 12:00 PM ET:

🚀 Applications are open — take the first step today.

🔗 https://worldantiextremism.org/event/june-edition-6th-edition-of-the-international-human-rights-certificate-for-young-leaders-2026/

05/15/2026

Josh Dehaas, Counsel with the Canadian Constitution Foundation, shared his thoughts on the ‘Freedom Stage’ of the Toronto Democracy Forum 2025, highlighting complacency as a major threat to democracy, noting that many people “don’t bother educating themselves about the issues in elections” or understanding the importance of the rule of law. He also discussed extremism, noting that conflicts arise when people fail to engage in dialogue or listen to one another.

05/07/2026

📑 Nonviolent resistance emerged as a powerful response to authoritarianism and religious extremism in Pakistan, with citizens reclaiming democratic space, challenging oppressive laws, and defending cultural expression despite threats and censorship. The solidarity of lawyers, women, youth, and cultural activists showed the power of civic action. These insights are articulated by Muhammad Anwar, CEO of Freedom Gate Prosperity, in his paper “Civil Courage in Pakistan: Nonviolent Resistance to Authoritarian and Religious Power”, presented at this year’s Democracy Forum.
👉 Read the complete paper in the link below:
🌐 https://worldantiextremism.org/tdf2025-papers/civil-courage-in-pakistan-nonviolent-resistance-to-authoritarian-and-religious-power/

05/05/2026

The April edition of Uncensored Watch is here!

🗓️ This month, we unpack major human rights challenges shaping global headlines, from proposed online censorship rules in India and extremist violence in DR Congo and Pakistan, to democratic backsliding in Burkina Faso and harsh sentences against activists in Russia. Cases in Bahrain and Kazakhstan further raise concerns over accountability and rights protections.

📝It also features research papers presented at the Toronto Democracy Forum 2025, including Dr. Waqasia Naeem’s work on digital resistance to authoritarianism in Pakistan and Mustapha Radji’s study on Sufi-led peacebuilding in Algeria.

👉 Read the full April issue here:
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This edition highlights mounting pressures on rights, accountability, and civic space across multiple regions. From proposed online censorship rules in India and extremist violence in eastern DR Congo and Pakistan…