Australia, US host workshop to combat online extremism

Australia and the United States have joined forces to co-host an international workshop in Washington DC Tuesday to tackle the emerging threat from online extremism, Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who opened the workshop via video link, announced.The workshop is part of the Australian government's ongoing efforts to develop global approaches to countering violent extremism and was also attended by high-level representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands."The online environment presents law and policy makers, our intelligence agencies and law enforcement officials with significant challenges," Dreyfus said, "but it also provides us with opportunities to engage directly with our own communities and a worldwide audience, to challenge those who seek to hijack the online world with a hate filled and violent narrative."Attendees discussed the current and emerging threat environment and shared proactive approaches to addressing the continually evolving issue of online radicalization.The Australian government's countering violent extremism strategy aims to identify and support vulnerable people to reject violent extremism, build resilient communities, challenge extremist messages and provide alternative messages.The government has contributed more than 4 million Australian dollars (4.12 million U.S. dollars) to Australian community organizations that foster social cohesion and build resilience to violent extremism under the Building Community Resilience Grants program.