World Anti Extremism Network

06/16/2026

⏳ The clock is ticking!
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – Case Studies on Extremist Movements
WAEN invites bold thinkers, researchers, and practitioners to submit 200-word abstracts on extremist movements across:
Afghanistan | Iran | Pakistan | Tajikistan
💡 Selected contributors will:
✔ Receive an honorarium
✔ Develop full case studies
✔ Present at WAEN’s Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada
📅 The last date to apply is June 20, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET)
Don’t miss your chance to turn research into real-world impact.
For full details and application submission, please click the link below:
https://worldantiextremism.org/event/case-studies-on-extremist-movements-in-south-and-central-asia/

06/15/2026

Rishmi Williams, a student at University of Toronto, shared her perspective on the ‘Freedom Stage’ of the Toronto Democracy Forum 2025, describing healing the world as respecting and listening to each other. She emphasized that “healing means looking out for each other” and highlighted the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives, debating ideas constructively, and truly listening rather than just responding, as a way to address global issues and strengthen communities.

Watch the interview reel from TDF 2025 to hear more perspectives on global healing.

06/14/2026

📝The Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment since 2021 have created severe gender-based exclusion across NGOs, public institutions, and Afghanistan’s economy. Our latest article examines the enforcement of these restrictions, their ideological and cultural justifications, and their socioeconomic and legal consequences for Afghan women and society.

🧾Read our latest published article, “The Plight of Afghan Women Employees Under the Taliban’s Rule Since 2021”, on our website written by Rosita Sekandari, a graduate of the International Human Rights Certificate for Young Leaders.

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August 2021 marked a turning point in Afghanistan's history. Following the Taliban's return to power, Afghan women faced increasing restrictions on their participation in public life, including severe limitations on…

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/