Earlier this year, Search for Common Ground, with the support of the United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office in Bishkek and in partnership with the Royal United Services Institute, published a research paper entitled ‘Understanding the Factors Contributing to Radicalisation Among Central Asian Labour Migrants in Russia’. The paper explores linkages between economic alienation and radicalisation. While many interviewees for this study appear to affirm a link between poverty and extremism, data attributed the cause to more ideational, ideological and spiritual factors.

Keneshbek B. Sainazarov has served as Search for Common Ground’s Country Director for Kyrgyzstan since 2013 and Central Asia Programs Director since 2015. In this Brown Bag Lunch discussion, he will share insights on how violent extremist networks exploit structural factors within the process of labour migration to radicalise Central Asian migrant workers, and will touch upon the role and policies of the EU and EU Member States in countering radicalisation and violent extremism in the region.

The presentation will be followed by a discussion with participants.

Please note that places are limited and registration is mandatory. Please RSVP to Lorenzo Conti if you would like to participate.