2021 is an important year in the history of RAN. Ten years ago RAN was established by the EU Commission in response to the rising threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Europe. While the RAN network has flourished since then, the threat has continued to evolve. The work of RAN and its practitioners is therefore as important as ever.
Strategic Orientations (03/02/2021)
The EU Commission has published its ‘Strategic orientations on a coordinated EU approach to prevention of radicalisation’ for 2021. The Strategic Orientations guide the work of the Commission and EU Member States for the coming year. The activity planned for RAN in 2021 is also guided by these orientations.
10-Year Anniversary ‒ High Level Conference on radicalisation (03/02/2021)
2021 marks the tenth year of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN). While the threat posed by terrorist and violent extremist organisations has evolved over the years, RAN has been able to adapt and continue to support a growing network of over 6,000 first-line practitioners.
Upcoming events (03/02/2021)
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, RAN will continue to deliver all meetings in the coming months online. For more information on planned meetings please go to the RAN website. A number of other meetings, to those listed below, planned for the first few months of 2021 will be published in due time.
EU Handbook on Victims of Terrorism (03/02/2021)
A new Handbook on victims of terrorism has been produced by the EU Centre of Expertise for Victims of Terrorism. The Handbook aims to assist in the practical implementation of the EU legislation on the rights of victims of terrorism. It is based on lessons learned from responses to previous terrorist attacks. The Handbook is accompanied by a separate Annex, which focuses on useful, additional information (including elements not covered by the EU legislation).
RAN Publications (03/02/2021)
Galvanising youth in combatting online disinformation
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on the role of young people and new technologies in combatting disinformation online. The paper summarises the perspectives of young people on the disinformation challenge, how they experience disinformation, and the challenges and opportunities they have to respond to it. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at the RAN YOUNG digital meeting held on 7 – 8 December 2020.
The Role of Hotbeds of Radicalisation (03/02/2021)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on why some neighbourhoods in Europe turn into hotbeds for radicalisation while others, facing comparable challenges and factors, do not. The paper, which collates the insights shared by both practitioners and researchers, provides recommendations for practitioners on how to prevent or counter radicalisation in these neighbourhoods. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at a ‘small scale meeting’ held online on 25 November 2020.
Women’s Usage of Social Media and Lessons for Preventing Violent Extremism (03/02/2021)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on the radicalisation of (young) women online. The paper outlines the vulnerabilities that are specific to (young) women, explains how recruiters use these vulnerabilities online and provides recommendations for practitioners on how to address some of these issues. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at a ‘small scale meeting’ held online on 24 November 2020.
Digital Study Visit to Canada (03/02/2021)
A new paper provides lessons learned from the ‘Canadian Practitioners Network for the Prevention of Radicalization and Extremist Violence’ for practitioners working in Europe. The paper provides an overview of the P/CVE landscape in Canada and a list of inspiring organisations and initiatives. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at the Digital Study Visit to Canada held on 23 - 24 November 2020.
P/CVE and mental health support online (03/02/2021)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on how to engage with individuals vulnerable to radicalisation, through both online outreach and subsequent online/offline mental health support. The paper describes how to target and reach vulnerable individuals online and discusses opportunities to work with hotlines and app developers. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at a digital exploratory meeting held on 18 - 19 November 2020.
Preventing Polarisation and Building Resilience by Creating a Shared Identity (03/02/2021)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on how to prevent polarisation and build resilience by creating a shared identity. The paper provides a list of do’s and don’ts for practitioners who want to develop a strategy or campaign. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at a digital meeting of the Families, Communities and Social Care Working Group held on 10 - 13 November 2020.
Guidelines for local authorities: how to organise a youth review panel (03/02/2021)
A new paper provides insights for local authorities on how to work with young people in P/CVE, including how they can contribute to programme design and delivery. The paper provides guidance for local authorities on the organisation of a Youth Review Panel. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at the gathering of the RAN YOUNG Online Review Panel on 01 - 02 October 2020.
COVID-19 Narratives that Polarise (03/02/2021)
A new Handbook provides teachers and youth workers with advice on how discuss polarising narratives and conspiracy narratives related to COVID-19 in the classroom or on the street. The Handbook explores different types of reactions that teachers can give to students who express polarising narratives. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at the Youth and Education Working Group digital meeting held on 24 – 25 September 2020.
Rehabilitation in prisons (03/02/2021)
A new film explores the challenge of rehabilitating violent extremist and terrorist offenders (VETOs) in prisons, from reception to preparation for release. The film, which hears from two practitioners, from Bulgaria and France respectively – including a co-chair of the RAN Working Group on Prisons – explores different facets of the challenge, including risk assessment, how VETOs are detained, staff training and the role of prison chaplains.
2020 was marked by an unprecedented global event, the COVID-19 pandemic. It changed the way many live, work and interact with one another. For those of us working in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), the pandemic has had significant consequences, both in terms of how we do our work and in the nature of the challenges that need to be addressed. In the first RAN Update of 2021, we take a look back at some of the key moments and highlights from 2020 – in case you missed them. We also look ahead to 2021, which marks the 10th anniversary of RAN. To do this, we hear from a small panel of experts who discuss some of the challenges we might expect to face.
Highlights (15/12/2020)
A lot happened in 2020. New leaders of RAN Working Groups were installed from July and introduced to the larger network at the RAN plenary in October. A series of new Working Groups were also established, including RAN Youth & Education, RAN Rehabilitation, RAN Prisons, RAN Health and RAN Families, Communities & Social Care.
The View (15/12/2020)
The View is a programme which brings together leading Member State representatives and first-line practitioners in the field of P/CVE to exchange views on some of the most relevant and timely issues of the day. In the second episode of The View, a panel of four look ahead to 2021 and explore some of the emerging P/CVE challenges that practitioners might need to address as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upcoming events (15/12/2020)
All Working Group meetings and other events planned for the first few months of 2021 will be published on the RAN website in due time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RAN will continue to deliver all meetings in the coming months online. Further information will be published in future Updates.
Extremists’ Use of Video Gaming – Strategies and Narratives (15/12/2020)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on the nature and extent of the use and abuse of video games and adjacent communications platforms by extremist groups, including the strategies and narratives deployed. The paper also provides insights on the ways in which the gaming community could be empowered to deal with the challenges, although the resilience of this community should not be underestimated or even undermined.
The Diversification of VRWE as Challenges for Rehabilitation (15/12/2020)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners, particularly those working in probation or doing exit work, on the challenges that the diversification of VRWE is posing for rehabilitation work. The paper explores the resources required to rehabilitate an older demographic. It also considers their needs and how to motivate them to participate in rehabilitation programmes.
Harmful conspiracy myths and effective P/CVE countermeasures (15/12/2020)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners on individual and psychological benefits of believing in conspiracy myths and indicator categories for potentially harmful conspiracy myths. The paper outlines a series of five preventive and counter-measures, including critical thinking, dialogue, tolerance, pre-bunking and debunking.
Europe has once again been rocked by a series of terrorist attacks. Recent attacks in Austria, France and Germany show that the threat from violent Islamist extremism remains. While COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise and Europe finds itself once again in lockdown, the work of first-line practitioners in tackling all forms of violent extremism has never been more important. In such unprecedented times, this work has never been more difficult. However, there are reasons for hope.
Film: ‘The View’ (01/12/2020)
‘The View’ is a new RAN panel of leading experts in the
field of P/CVE from across Europe which meets to discuss
some of the most relevant and timely issues of the day.
We brought together the panel – consisting of Member States representatives and practitioners – for the first time this autumn and filmed them exchanging views on the topic of COVID-19 and its
impact on the P/CVE environment in Europe.
Film: ‘COVID responses’ (01/12/2020)
‘COVID series’ of films takes a look at how some first-line practitioners are overcoming and/or addressing some of the specific challenges created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We meet two experienced practitioners who talk to us about how they are tackling the proliferation of conspiracy narratives, the digital transformation and youth engagement.
RAN Rehabilitation Manual (01/12/2020)
‘The ‘RAN Rehabilitation Manual’ provides guidance for first-line practitioners working to rehabilitate radicalised and terrorist offenders, both within and outside prison. It provides a comprehensive overview of the chronological phases of rehabilitation. The various actors contributing to rehabilitation processes are offered a structured assessment of important points of attention.
Spotlight: ‘Prisons, rehabilitation and reintegration’ (01/12/2020)
The next edition of the RAN Spotlight publication explores the topic of prisons, rehabilitation and reintegration. The Spotlight features a series of articles by and interviews with first-line practitioners who share their thoughts and insights on a number of different aspects of the challenge, including gender and families.
Upcoming events (01/12/2020)
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, RAN will continue to deliver all Working Group meetings in the coming months online. Further information will be published in future Updates.
