September 23, 2014 - New York City, United States
Check Against Delivery
Let me begin by thanking Minister Lidegaard and the Government of Denmark for convening this meeting.
Denmark has taken a leading role in strengthening international efforts to combat violent extremism.
And with Burkina Faso, they have done excellent work in countering the spread of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.
I would also like to thank the Global Center on Cooperative Security for organizing this event.
Last week, I was in Paris alongside Minister Lidegaard and others here to discuss the situation in Iraq.
There, representatives from 29 countries and organizations unanimously agreed: ISIL’s barbaric campaign of terror is a threat not only to Iraq, Syria and the region—but also to global security.
Sadly, most of our countries have already witnessed the violent savagery of extremist groups.
In fact, just days prior to the Paris conference, we learned of the beheading of a British aid worker by a fellow citizen in Iraq.
And this past Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the attack by Al-Shabaab on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.
Despite being half a world away, for me, this attack hit close to home.
Two Canadians were among the victims, including a diplomat from our High Commission in Kenya.
These acts of brutality underscore the global nature of the extremist threat.
Our security is inextricably linked with that of other countries.
From Syria to Somalia, extremism is the gateway to terrorism.
Regrettably, in Western countries it is no different.
Canada, like other freedom-loving nations, has seen some of our own citizens travel overseas to participate in terrorist activities.
We know of more than 30 individuals with Canadian connections who have participated in terrorist activities in Iraq and Syria.
To counter this, Canada pledged millions to support regional efforts to stem the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria.
But violent extremism can’t be eradicated overnight.
The unfortunate reality is that it is the test of our generation.
When other countries lack resources to prevent or respond to terrorism, everyone’s security is at risk.
Because violent extremism doesn’t just lead to terrorism. It inhibits economic development—which fosters further insecurity.
This spiral is as dangerous as it is tragic.
Extremism thrives in the chaos of ungoverned spaces.
Long-term threats like this require long-term solutions.
That’s why Canada has invested billions of dollars toward food security, toward sustainable economic growth, and toward maternal, newborn and child health in places where the vulnerable need dignity and opportunity the most.
Our contributions to global security include $66 million toward key global counterterrorism capacity-building efforts from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa.
And Canada welcomed the launch of the Hedayah Center, the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, in the U.A.E.
Ultimately, though, the weed of extremism always has local roots.
Extremist groups, with their violent narratives, prey upon local conflicts and personal grievances.
They use these conflicts to foment instability in communities around the world.
Any meaningful response to radicalization must come from within those communities.
For our part, the Canadian government regularly holds outreach events across the country to foster discussion about extremism.
For many, the discussion about violent extremism in their own community is a difficult conversation to have. But it is essential to prevent the rot of radicalization from taking hold.
Early intervention and enforcement are equally important.
Canadian security agencies have been successful in uncovering and disrupting terrorist plots that would have had devastating consequences.
Terrorism is the great struggle of our generation, the horrific end result of extremist ideologies taking hold in our communities.
We, as an international community, must unite to destroy it, by defending the principles that make nations great, prosperous and free.
Thank you.
