CPN-PREV concluded an exceptional week in Halifax, marked by meaningful exchanges, collective learning, strengthened partnerships, and a shared commitment to advancing the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) across Atlantic Canada.
The week began with the Atlantic Symposium (27, 28 October), organized by the Canada Centre, where Ghayda Hassan, Director of CPN-PREV, delivered a keynote address reflecting on the remarkable journey of capacity development across the Atlantic region. This journey has brought together 174 professionals working in the PVE field through CPN-PREV's onboarding workshops, contributing to a growing network of practitioners equipped with shared knowledge, tools, and approaches to support individuals, families, and communities.
On the second day of the symposium, Ghayda Hassan and Zeina Ismail-Allouche facilitated a participatory session, inviting participants to reflect collectively on the way forward for PVE in Atlantic Canada. The conversation highlighted the importance of sustaining connections, strengthening regional collaboration, and building on the momentum generated through capacity-development initiatives.
The week continued with an important milestone: a two-day advanced-level capacity-development workshop (29-30 October), organized by CPN-PREV in collaboration with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), under the UPSTREAM initiative.
Bringing together 34 practitioners from Halifax, Charlottetown, Fredericton and St John's, who had previously participated in the foundational onboarding workshops, this advanced training created space to deepen learning, exchange practice-based experiences, and strengthen practitioners' confidence in accompanying individuals navigating complex realities within the PVE space. Through interactive exercises, case-based reflections, and interdisciplinary dialogue, participants explored ways to translate knowledge into thoughtful, ethical, and context-sensitive practice.
A heartfelt thank you to our exceptional facilitation team:
Dr. Cécile Rousseau and Christian Savard from RAPS
Laura Stolte from OPV
Gabriella Zaram and Hana Hadzifejzovic from Project RESET, John Howard Society
Dr. Ghayda Hassan and Dr. Zeina Ismail-Allouche from CPN-PREV
Their diverse expertise, generosity, and commitment to collaborative learning enriched the experience and demonstrated the strength of working across disciplines and organizations.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all the practitioners and partners who contributed to making this week such a meaningful experience.
So far, 174 professionals have been onboarded and 34 practitioners have engaged in advanced learning. This journey centers people, relationships, trust, and a growing community of practice, to nurture the confidence to navigate complexity, create spaces for collective reflection, and recognize that effective prevention is built through sustained collaboration.
We leave Halifax energized by the commitment of practitioners across Atlantic Canada and inspired by the possibilities ahead.
The journey continues, and so do the connections!
