In the spring of 2015 the Ad Team won an international competition for their innovative social media platform, titled One95, countering violent extremism.  Since that time the campaign has moved from idea to execution.

On Sept. 23, Sovereign Challenge presented a seminar, Challenging Extremism: Engaging the Successor Generation, in Washington, D.C. 118 individuals from 37 different countries attended. The seminar featured first person narratives and programs representing different regions and approaches, with a look at how several nations are innovatively and effectively developing counter-extremism initiatives that could be applied to a wider community of nations.

“It was an honor to be invited to present our counter-narrative solution to help prevent violent extremism. Missouri State University has an amazing opportunity to lead the way in preparing our students to become the successor generation with the knowledge and skills to develop effective communication strategies in the social media war to prevent violent extremism,” said Dr. Melissa Burnett, professor of marketing and Ad Team adviser.

Currently, Missouri State’s One95 initiative is teaming up with the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), which will help fund and support One95. Ad Team members Brittney Laramie and Meagan Brewer will continue to work with One95 under CEP’s umbrella.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with CEP and expanding the reach of One95 around the world,” said Laramie, Ad Team vice president and current MBA student. “I’m thankful for all of the learning opportunities and experiences I’ve gained through the Ad Team and am proud to represent MSU at an international level.”

The CEP, along with Search for Common Ground, co-hosted the Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism. The summit took place Sept. 28 in New York City as the kickoff to the launch of the One95 global youth effort to build resilience against extremism.

“The nature and scale of the partnerships on display at the Global Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism is unprecedented and signals the beginning of a sustained and determined movement to tackle the tragedy of youth radicalization head-on,” said Ambassador Mark Wallace, CEO of the Counter Extremism Project. “The summit is the launch of a year-round, global initiative supported by CEP’s One95 platform to ensure innovation and progress continues through next year’s summit and beyond.”

The summit was the kick-off of CEP’s One95 counter-narrative campaign, which includes a new website that will give young activists a year-round platform for discussion and idea sharing, and access to a counter extremism-based educational curriculum that can be widely adapted and shared.

Influential private sector leaders including Facebook have committed to supporting the event, laying the foundation for additional international public-private partnerships focusing on youth-led, community-based solutions to extremism.