Publication

This paper argues that Australia's foreign aid programs should help combat violent extremism and looks at how this can be done. In this, the authors examine 1) Australia's existing countering violent extremism (CVE) efforts and how CVE goals have already been incorporated into the country's foreign aid program; 2) how the integration of AusAID – Australia’s former government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program – into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) could improve the ability to link counterterrorism and CVE strategy with development policy; 3) the threat posed to development and the effectiveness of aid by terrorism; and 4) how aid can help CVE efforts and prevent terrorism. They also provide recommendations on how Canberra can best leverage its foreign aid program to deal with terrorism and violent extremism.