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| Prominent figures in counter terrorism are set to gather this April at the World Counter Terror Congress |
Prominent figures in counter terrorism are set to gather this April at the World Counter Terror Congress. Held in conjunction with Counter Terror Expo at London Olympia 21-22 April, the event will see senior representatives from the Home Office, GCHQ, Parliament, NATO and the Metropolitan Police join globally recognised experts from leading academic and research institutions to address the rising threat to national security.
Confirmed speakers include Charles Farr, Director of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office, and Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, Former Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the Intelligence & Security Committee of Parliament who will lead debate on the extent to which the UK security services can protect the country from terrorism. This session, which takes place 1030-1100 on Tuesday 21 April, will examine the UK's ability to anticipate and prevent home-grown terrorism, methods of dealing with detainees, and reconciling the conflict between privacy, security and the advances of communication technology.
The changing nature of international terrorism will be addressed by Dr Jamie Shea, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Emerging Security Challenges Division, and NATO 1130-1200 on Tuesday 21 April. Drawing on his extensive experience in international relations and security affairs, Dr Shea will analyse the security challenges facing NATO members following the disturbing developments in Syria, Iraq and the Ukraine, and set out future threats to our national security. Discussion will be supplemented with an update on international cooperation against terrorism, including working with Turkey.
Mark Rowley, Head of Specialist Operations and Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, will join the discussion to offer an assessment of the current threat from home-grown terrorism and extremism and the range of responses that can counter such activity. In addition, AC Rowley will provide an overview of foiled plots and lessons learned.
The event will see senior |
AC Rowley said: "I am very pleased to be invited to speak at the World Counter Terrorism Congress. Recent terrorist attacks in a number of different countries have reinforced the need to raise and maintain public awareness levels. As well as needing to remain alert, it is imperative that law enforcement organisations, business and the public understand the nature of the threat and what they should be doing about it. Good preparation is a way of reducing the impact of terrorist incidents - and helps prevent them from happening in the first place".
Reflecting the Home Office's support for the event, Richard Alcock, Director of Communication Capability Directorate, will provide his perspective on Communications, security and privacy in the digital, post-Snowden age.
Representatives from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Chatham House, King's College London, the Mackenzie Institute and the Quilliam Foundation will also speak candidly about subjects including: preventing the threats posed by lone wolf terrorists; terrorist financing; the proliferation of digital terrorism; and managing the 'jihadists' returning to the UK.
