Nourdine M. Harouna Abdou has more than 15 years of experience in youth leadership, particularly in youth organization and civic and political training for better participation of youth in the democratic process and governance in Niger. He has more than 10 years of experience working on security programs that have addressed themes such as community dialogue, peacebuilding, and building community resilience against violent extremism, particularly amongst young people and women. He has also worked on civilian-military dialogue to build trust and on the dynamics of access to justice.

Nourdine has coordinated several community dialogue programs and led various studies and evaluations. He has conducted quantitative and qualitative studies, and evaluations related to issues of security and peace. Through his work, Nourdine has built solid professional relationships with political and military authorities, with nationally and locally elected officials, civil society leaders, customary authorities, and youth networks.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Countering Violent Extremism in Niamey 5

The project brought together 50 community leaders, women’s rights activists, civil servants, religious figures, students, and people with disabilities for a two-day forum to discuss the fight against violent extremism in Niamey. Participants were trained on violent extremism and the prevention of radicalization and then reflected on solutions to the security situation of Niamey. Participants learned to identify socioeconomic and cultural reasons why young people fall into extremism. They also gathered resources to learn about names given to extremist groups to better identify them and intervene in cases of youths moving towards extremism.

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Mamane participated in the IVLP Project Countering Violent Extremism, organized by the U.S. Department of State and World Learning in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, WorldDenver, Boulder Council for International Visitors and International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles.

Mamane's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "IVLP allowed me to strengthen my expertise in innovative initiatives to fight against violent extremism."

U.S. Communities Visited

Los Angeles, CA; Boulder, CO; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Louisville, KY

Country: Niger 

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