Background and aim of the meeting
Victims/survivors of terrorism have a unique perspective on the concept of violent extremism, as they have been directly confronted with its consequences. Their voices can play an important role in the prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE). Over the past years, practitioners working in P/CVE have started to realise the importance of this role more and more. However, they might be hesitant to involve victims/survivors in their work because of not knowing how to, or for fear of retraumatising them.
This meeting will take stock of what the VoT Working Group has discussed in the last years, and will take a look at the latest state of play with regard to the topics that are at the core of the Working Group. Among the topics that will be discussed, are (1) the value of victims’/survivors’ testimonials in P/CVE approaches; (2) the role of victims/survivors of terrorism in restorative justice efforts and in building social cohesion; (3) cooperation with media; (4) using (young) victims’/survivors’ voices in alternative narrative campaigns. All insights that the Working Group has gathered in recent years, and new insights that will be gathered at the meeting itself on these and additional topics, will serve as the foundation for a set of guidelines that will be created for practitioners wishing to involve victims/survivors in their P/CVE work.
For an overview of the topics the VoT WG has discussed between 2011-2021, please read the WG’s special overview paper.
Target group
We are looking for the following types of participants:
- Victims/survivors of terrorism;
- Representatives of victim organisations;
- Practitioners working with victims/survivors in their P/CVE work or wishing to do so;
- Practitioners working to raise awareness of the agency of victims/survivors in P/CVE.
Deadline and practical information
If you are interested in participating in this meeting, please fill out the form by clicking here. Please answer the questions and submit all relevant information no later than 19 August.
We will invite participants based on this information. Please keep in mind that we only have a limited number of spots available for this meeting, so participation is not guaranteed. Moreover, participants are required to attend both days of the meeting.
Travel and accommodation are arranged and covered by RAN and the meeting will be held in English.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fenna Canters and Florian Reimers