27 November 2025, Jakarta, Indonesia – The National Coordination Group for “Protecting Children from Violence in Contexts of Insecurity: Fostering Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Children Associated with Terrorist Groups in South and South-East Asia” gathered to share up-to-date information around challenges faced by Indonesia; review project progress to date; and agree on priorities for 2026.
In-depth discussions focused on the substantial progress made by Indonesia in preventing and responding to violence against children by terrorist groups; but also highlighted rising concerns around the online targeting of children for recruitment and exploitation.
The National Coordination Group considered the many ways in which Indonesia – under the leadership of its National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) and in partnership with UNODC and the Government of Canada – had succeeded in strengthening policy foundations and front-line practices since the project began in April 2024.
At the national level, decision makers from security, child protection and justice sectors have been equipped with knowledge and skills on leadership, mental health and strategic communication; decentralisation of rehabilitation and reintegration services has been supported through a
comprehensive training programme for social workers and psychologists on psychosocial assessment and case management; and law enforcement officers have gained the skills and knowledge necessary to better serve and protect child victims of terrorism in Indonesia.
Indonesia has additionally played a leading role in raising regional and global awareness on the phenomenon of child association with terrorist groups and strategies and measures for prevention and response to it. The country’s evidence-based advocacy led to the development and adoption of ECOSOC Resolution 2024/12 on the Treatment of children associated with terrorist groups; as well as key principles for intervention that bridge the gap between child rights and public safety being endorsed by the official delegations of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives and the Philippines at a cross-regional event held by UNODC to promote children’s resilience to recruitment and exploitation by terrorist groups in South and South-East Asia.
Internet accessibility and digital vulnerabilities have increased over the last decade, especially for children. It is estimated that around the world, a child goes online for the first time every half-second. Discussions during the National Coordination Group meeting highlighted increasing concerns around children being targeted in online spaces by armed and criminal groups; and the need for children’s safety in the digital environment to be treated as a national priority. Participants called for increased multisectoral coordination on this issue; specialized prevention programmes for children and caregivers; and trauma-informed rehabilitation and reintegration pathways.
The PCG concluded with unanimous approval of a project work plan for 2026 with its basis in a shared understanding that protecting children from terrorism is a collective duty. With its strong track record of preventing and responding to violence against children by armed and criminal groups and established partnership with UNODC and the Government of Canada, Indonesia is well-positioned to further strengthen its protective frameworks and set standards for safeguarding children in both physical and online spaces.
