For over 20 years, dealing with and preventing terrorism and violent extremism has been high on the agenda. Perhaps best known is the war on terror, and the military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to combat terrorism. At the same time, in recent years we have seen a development where the focus has been directed away from the somewhat "traditional" perspective of combating terrorism. It is an acknowledgment that the war on terror has not worked, and that other measures and strategies are needed. As a consequence, the focus has instead been directed towards issues of radicalisation, violent extremism and how this can be prevented. This change in approach to combating and preventing terrorism and violent extremism has received much attention, but there is no shortage of criticism.
To take these questions seriously, Østfold University College and the research group AreaS invite you to a conference on handling violent extremism and terrorism: Theoretical and practical perspectives. On Monday 2 October, the conference starts with a panel made up of researchers and practitioners from the Nordic countries who will share experiences about what works, or does not work in the work to prevent terrorism and violent extremism from the various countries.
On Tuesday 3 October, the conference continues with two panels. The first is: "How are PCVE policies and efforts impacting our societies?". The panel is made up of international and Norwegian researchers who will discuss and share knowledge about how specific measures and strategies affect our society. The second panel is: "What are the pitfalls of employing the language of extremism, radicalisation, deradicalisation and PCVE?". This panel is also put together by international and Norwegian researchers who take a closer look at various obstacles, challenges and problems related to language and discourse about radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism. The conference ends with a discussion where the participants are invited to share their experiences and comments to round off the conference.
Conference- Day 1: Monday October 2nd
13.-13.15: Introduction by Sondre Lindahl
13.15 -15.00: Panel 1: Countering and preventing violent extremism, what works in practice? Perspectives from the Nordic countries”
Chair: Sondre Lindahl | Speakers: Tina Christensen, Eva Mowitz and Erik Kruse
15:15- 16:30 Discussion and reflections regarding the first panel debate.
19.00: Dinner, social gathering at Kokkekollektivet
Conference - Day 2: Tuesday October 3rd
10.00- 11.45: Panel 1- How are PCVE policies and efforts impacting our societies?
Chair: Sondre Lindahl | Speakers: Martin Sjøen, Shahnaz Akther and Robin Andersson
11.45-12.00: Tea and coffee break
12.00-13.45: Panel 2- What are the pitfalls of employing the language of extremism, radicalisation, deradicalization and PCVE?
Chair: Franck Orban | Speakers: Richard Jackson, Sadi Shanaah and Charlotte Heath-Kelly
13.45-14.30: Lunch
14.30-15.15: Concluding remarks and debate
About the panelists:
Professor Richard Jackson is the Leading Thinker Chair in Peace Studies at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (NCPACS). He is the founding editor and current editor-in-chief of the journal Critical Studies on Terrorism, and the series editor of the Routledge Critical Terrorism Studies book series.
Eva Mowitz, advisor in support team that provides needs-based support to schools, municipalities, authorities and other actors. Eva has long professional experience of social work related to familysituations and antisocial- or criminalbehavior in youths. The last 10 years as manager within the Social Services for investigation and childprotection.
Dr. Robin Andersson Malmros is a senior lecturer in sociology and deputy director of the Segerstedt Institute, University of Gothenburg. Andersson Malmros has mainly published on topics relating to the organizing of prevention of violent extremism, with a specific interest in the local administrative level and aspects relating to multiagency collaboration and practices.
Sadi Shanaah is a Research Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, UK. He works in the ERC-funded project Neoliberal Terror: The Radicalisation of Social Policy in Europe, which is led by Prof Charlotte Heath-Kelly. Sadi has published thirteen articles and book chapters in top international journals such as Terrorism and Political Violence, Critical Studies on Terrorism, and Social Policy. He is interested in political violence, mostly from the perspective of social psychology and critical security studies.
Tina Wilchen Christensen has expert knowledge of pathways into, across and out of violent extremist groups and factors which shapes individuals ideological informed outlook and social practice. In my research I focus on mentorship-based approaches and how they can be tailored to support individuals’ exit and reintegrate processes. Moreover, I have hands on experience as a mentorship advisor for Royal United Service Institute in Kenya and from the training of mentors within CVE programs and approaches. The last years I have focused on risk assessment and the Scandinavian multi-agency approach across the Nordic countries.
Charlotte Heath-Kelly is a Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, UK. She is currently leading a 5 year project funded by the European Research Council, exploring how national security and counterterrorism responsibilities are entering social policy and frontline public administration.
Erik Kruse is a social worker with experience as youth outreach worker and school social worker in Oslo and Fredrikstad. He has a master’s degree in psychosocial work with children and youth and is currently working as a crime prevention coordinator in the munincipality of Fredrikstad.
Martin Sjøen is an associate professor at the University of Bergen and at the University of Science and Technology in Norway. His research focuses on peace research, security studies and educational research.