ASEAN Counter Terrorism Network (ACTN)

The ASEAN Counter Terrorism Network (ACTN) is a network spearheaded by the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, SEA Region. It is a network of experts, researchers, consultants, institutions and non-government organizations in the field to study, educate and counter the threats of Political Violence, Terrorism and Extremism in the ASEAN Region.

ORGANIZATION

The network organization consists of the following:

AIM

The aim of ACTN is to promote and provide a platform for collective discussion and immersion through a multidisciplinary, international network of experts, researchers, institutions and training centre’s in the field of political violence, terrorism and extremism.  We are a “learning organization” and our critical engines for growth and viability in the current, turbulent and unconventional environment is to be innovative-conscious, to develop and re-design, react and modify ideas collectively.

MISSION

The backdrop of 21^st century is inconsistent and unpredictable and to understand the terms “national security” and “international security” a refocus has to be created on current trends of asymmetrical threats and issues of terrorism, political violence and extremism. ACTN will strive to create a climate of intellectual clarity where we can discuss and educate others on highly complex topics, facilitate the exchange of perspectives and contribute applicable information and methods on global and regional issues of security, defense, and public policy making. The need for multidisciplinary approach, international cooperation, specialization and professionalism is imperative in this environment of rapid globalization and ACTN will meet this need through its initiatives.

INITIATIVES

• To facilitate and coordinate interaction among multi-disciplinary and international counter-terrorism research institutions and professionals.
• Promote and carry out focused subjects especially based on regional co-operation
• Identify and obtain resources to support the work of ACTN
• Create an infrastructure for the exchange of information, knowledge and lessons learned and best practices
• Assist decision makers through strategic guidance, planning guidance and implementation plans.
• Disseminate information as well as published materials
• To build a solution-focused consensus on forensic data to state emphatically what problems exists.
• Develop better communication between practitioners and governments
• Formulate and promote effective counter-terrorism policies for the ASEAN community
• Provide decision makers with counter terrorism recommendations
• Achieve a nongovernmental consultative status with the United Nations, The European Union and other international organizations

MEMBERSHIP

Full membership of ACTN is open to invited practitioners, academic and training centres, think-tanks, universities, research centre’ which relate to counter-terrorism. Full membership gives right to participate in all ACTN activities and receive all the ACTN products. The ACTN Executive Committee can decide on the co-option of new members or by request of governments from the Asean region.

OBSERVER

The status of observer is open to international organizations, societies, non-government organizations or institutions pursuing objectives compatible with those of ACTN in related fields of activity. Observers can participate to ACTN activities and receive its products, but have no right to participate in the elective process. The ACTN Executive Committee can decide on the co-option of observers.

INDIVIDUAL

Individual researchers with recognized credentials in the field of terrorism and counter-terrorism will be able to join the ACTN with the approval of the Executive Committee. Individuals can participate to ACTN activities and receive its products, but have no right to participate in the elective process. The ACTN Executive Committee can decide on the co-option of individual members.

EXCUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Network members consisting of the Asean appointed members and the Executive Committee will be responsible for implementing and coordinating ACTN’s activities.

STRUCTURE

The ASEAN Regional Director will have a consultative role and will lead all ACTN functions in international platforms.

Deputy Director is responsible for the overall implementation of the working program decided by the Network, organizing the Network’s forums and activities and also representing the ASEAN Regional Director’s ACTN at national and international forums where need be.

Program Director is responsible to promote and carry out focused subject efforts, especially work based on international co-operation, to disseminate information and publish articles and materials and be appointed as the Managing Editor of the ACTN Annual Counter Terrorism: Trends and Focus publication.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Ten members of the Executive Committee, they are appointed/elected by the Executive Committee or by request from the ASEAN community and shall be elected for a period of not more than three years. They assist and advise the Asean Regional Director and Deputy Director.

ACTIVITIES AND FORUMS

There shall be two meetings annually within member states and the Executive Committee.  Members within the ACTN (Observers & Individuals) and other organizations are invited by invitation only. These meetings will take place on a rotation between member states with the support of the entire meeting sponsored either by the host country or by an international organization.

A conference of the ACTN will be schedule every two years. The quorum for the conference shall be a majority of the ASEAN full member states and the EC. The conference will be decided at either one of the two annual meetings held. The Executive Committee and the host country member will be responsible for organizing the conference.

WEBSITE

The Executive Committee will currently be responsible to build a permanent site for the Network under existing space provided by the IACSP SEA Region or until further notice.

PUBLICATION

The ACTN shall sponsor the publication of such other material as the EC may determine.

ASEAN COUNTER TERRORISM NETWORK WORKING STRUCTURE

The ACTN works alongside fellow industry professionals and to take part in the international Workshops designed to shape the threats related to terrorism now and in the future. The ACTN aims to bring together terrorism experts and professionals who are prepared to consider and develop creative ways of addressing the threats of terrorism.

The ACTN will agree to set aside pre-conceived ideas, as well as the official positions of their employers, and be prepared to positively brainstorm and debate pros and cons of all suggestions mooted by the network.  The ACTN will restrained by prevailing legislation, existing organizations and infrastructure, or technologies currently deployed.

We welcome foreign and local governments, organizations and non-affiliate government organization to contribute to the outcome of the ACTN’s mission. The support will benefit the greater international community by providing expert advice, education and trainings for governments and the public to equip themselves with the knowledge that are readily available by the ACTN.

THE OUTPUT

The meetings will be followed by the creation of focus groups, which will work together to draft the reports from the above which will form the basis of a book to be published every autumn entitled “Counter Terrorism: Trends and Focus” in terrorism and the evolving threats.

FUNDING THE ASEAN COUNTER TERRORISM NETWORK

The ASEAN Counter Terrorism Network is a Social Responsibility Project under the IACSP Southeast Asia Region based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The support for the network is through funding from organizations within the network. The support for this Social Responsibility Project is by way of good faith in assisting the ACTN and its activities.

ACTN will seek funding from governments, international organizations, public and private support under the Social Responsibility funding approach or by means deem fit to the operations of the ACTN.

MORE INFORMATION

Please contact Andrin Raj at andrin.raj@iacspsea.org or Rakyan Adibrata at rakyan.adibrata@iacsp-nctn.org