The Southeast Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations (SEAN-CSO) brings together over 25 regional CSOs and researchers working on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). This year, the network will focus on tackling hate in the region, especially online hate. PeaceGeneration Indonesia proposes three main collaborative initiatives to support this year’s theme.
Held from August 12–15, 2025 at Deakin University, Lancaster University Indonesia, the SEAN-CSO Workshop: SAFER (SEAN-CSO Empowerment to Counter Online Hate in Southeast Asia) was designed to build not only knowledge but also the mindset, toolset, and skillset needed by CSOs to respond effectively to online hate and violent extremism.
Through a gamified learning approach, participants called “Robots” completed four missions across four days. Each mission awarded a badge, and those who completed all four became Certified Guardians, ready to defend Southeast Asia’s digital space. The workshop followed the FIDS model (Feel–Imagine–Do–Share): starting with emotional connection, moving into envisioning safer futures, practicing strategies, and closing with reflection.
Day 1 — Hate and Online Radicalisation
The workshop opened with remarks from Irfan Amali (PeaceGeneration Indonesia), Greg Barton (Deakin University), and Shilpa Maniar (Australian Government Department of Home Affairs). Irfan explained that the sessions would be practical, incorporating gamification, online games, and AI. Shilpa highlighted rising terrorist threats in Australia, noting the impact of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and shared Australia’s PCVE strategy, which emphasizes prevention, societal cooperation, and early intervention. Greg stressed the urgent need to address hate speech as a driver of extremism in Southeast Asia.
Participants first connected through a lighthearted icebreaker, then engaged with Greg Barton’s presentation on understanding the connection between hate speech and violent extremism. Greg drew examples from Melbourne, the United States, Europe, India, and New Zealand, explaining how hate speech, while not always direct violence, creates conditions that fuel radicalisation and real-world harm.
Another highlight came from Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi (Board of Imams Victoria), who presented the Community Integration Support Program (CISP). The initiative provides religious mentoring and social support to individuals at risk of extremism, addressing ideology, social relations, and mental health while offering counter-arguments to extremist propaganda.
The day closed with a ‘Do’ session led by Irfan Amali, where participants practiced crafting alternative narratives. Using examples such as reframing divisive rhetoric into inclusive stories, Robots learned strategies to challenge hate speech creatively. Reflections collected via Mentimeter revealed participants’ empathy and a strengthened commitment to peace.
Day 2 — Gamification and Violent Extremism
The second day centered on gamification as both a risk and an opportunity. Noor Huda Ismail illustrated how extremist groups use gaming platforms and communities to spread ideology, while challenging participants to imagine how games can promote peace instead.
Best practice sessions followed. Luthfi Noorfitriyani presented peace-focused games such as Semester Baru, which tackles bullying, and Ekspedisi Ulun Lampung, which fosters inter-ethnic understanding. Eko Nugroho introduced the Kummara Learning Ecosystem, emphasizing how games provide safe spaces to test ideas, reflect, and build teamwork. Activities like Mind Before Send demonstrated how playful design can encourage responsible digital behavior.
During the ‘Do’ session, participants prototyped their own game ideas, ranging from board games to digital concepts. Their designs reflected local contexts and cultural wisdom, showcasing creativity in countering radicalisation.
The day ended with a Bandung Tour on Bus (Bandros) trip and networking dinner, giving participants the chance to bond across borders and discuss collaboration in a more informal setting.
Day 3 — Countering Hate Speech with Technology
The third mission shifted to technology and AI. The day began with roleplay exercises simplifying P/CVE concepts for younger audiences—reminding participants of the importance of clarity and empathy in communication.
Dan Goodhart presented lessons from monitoring antisemitism in Australia, highlighting spikes in incidents and the use of AI tools like BERT and Meta One to track hate. His work underscored how data strengthens resilience and builds trust between communities and authorities.
Following, a talk show featured William S.G (IMAN Research, Malaysia), Aizat Shamsuddin (INITIATE.MY, Malaysia), and Dedik Priyanto (Islami.co, Indonesia). They discussed strategies for leveraging technology and media to counter online hate, including the role of grassroots reporting and youth-led platforms. Dedik emphasized TikTok’s dual role as both a vector of hate and a tool for spreading inclusive narratives.
In the ‘Do’ sessions, Derry Wijaya introduced narrative mapping to analyze how identity, polarisation, and toxicity intertwine online. Matteo Vergani showcased AI models for monitoring online hate, and guided participants in creating custom prompts in their own languages. This exercise gave Robots firsthand insight into the opportunities and risks of AI in peacebuilding.
Reflections highlighted that online hate is never isolated it mirrors and fuels offline violence making technological innovation essential, though not without challenges.
Day 4 — From Learning to Action
The final day transitioned toward sustainability and action. Luthfi Noorfitriyani (PeaceGen) introduced the Lexicon on Ethno-Religious Hate Speech, an interactive e-learning platform made by Patani Forum, Thailand, which combines games, video screenings, and discussion to make learning engaging.
Following this, Lindawati Sumpena shared details on seed funding opportunities for CSOs. Grants will support innovative projects such as a CSO Risk Assessment Toolkit and interventions to counter online hate. Participants learned proposal requirements, co-funding possibilities, and eligibility criteria for both new and ongoing projects.
In the closing Share session, participants reflected on the potential and risks of AI in countering hate, and articulated their personal “first mission” after the workshop. Commitments included sharing workshop insights within their communities, designing new digital literacy programs, and experimenting with e-learning for peace.
A Collective Commitment
The SEAN-CSO SAFER Workshop 2025 demonstrated that addressing online hate requires more than just awareness: it requires practical skills, innovative tools, and collaborative mindsets. By engaging participants as Robots on a gamified journey, the workshop transformed abstract concepts into concrete action.
From Greg Barton’s global insights to hands-on sessions with AI, from game design to seed funding opportunities, every mission equipped participants with knowledge and agency. Most importantly, the workshop strengthened cross-border solidarity reminding Southeast Asia’s civil society that while hate travels fast online, collaboration and creativity travel faster.
SEAN-CSO provides a platform for civil society organisations in Southeast Asia to network and share resources. Through this network, members can support each other, share knowledge, and coordinate efforts to address the region’s social challenges. In doing so, SEAN-CSO contributes to strengthening the voice of civil society at both regional and international levels.