This month, the RAN Update continues to explore the topic of ‘violent right-wing extremism’ (VRWE). While the previous Update examined how the challenge has evolved, including how VRWE groups have exploited crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic to radicalise and recruit, this Update features some of the content produced in the past months which highlights some of the good work being done by RAN practitioners to address it. The Update includes two films produced by the RAN, a new publication called ‘Spotlight’, and a roadmap which details the RAN’s previous activities on the topic as well as activities planned for the coming weeks and months.
Roadmap (11/06/2020)
In 2020, the RAN is developing a series of ‘roadmaps’ which establish how the RAN will tackle some of the priority P/CVE issues of the day. The first of these roadmaps for 2020 is on VRWE. The VRWE roadmap points practitioners to existing material produced by...
Spotlight (11/06/2020)
Spotlight is a new publication, published quarterly, which highlights and showcases the work of RAN practitioners in doing their work. In the first publication practitioners share their insights and stories on the topic of violent right-wing extremism.
Film (11/06/2020)
Two short five minute films, produced by the RAN, explore the evolving violent right-wing challenge in Europe and how practitioners are addressing it. We hear from a diverse range of practitioners from the RAN network about their experiences.
Upcoming events (11/06/2020)
RAN Collection (11/06/2020)
RAN is updating the RAN Collection, which consists of over 200 inspiring practices in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). Experts from the RAN expert pool will review existing practices to categorise them as either ‘best’ or ‘inspiring’ practices.
Call for participants: RAN Families, Communities & Social Care Working Group meeting – Dealing with Families of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (09/06/2020)
Violent right-wing extremism in focus, May 2020 (04/06/2020)
Spotlight is a new publication for the RAN’s network of practitioners, designed to give you, the people on the frontline in communities, in schools, prisons, online and elsewhere, the opportunity to share your insights and your stories about the work that you do to tackle the violent extremism challenges in Europe today.
There are a number of emerging and evolving violent extremism challenges to be addressed in 2020. To support practitioners to better understand and tackle these challenges, the RAN, through its various activities, will explore a set of ‘priority themes’. The first of these priority themes is ‘violent right wing extremism’ (VRWE). In recent years, the VRWE scene has undergone a paradigm shift in the pace and scale of its efforts to radicalise and recruit.
Its online activity has grown and become increasingly sophisticated, it has embraced and exploited the gaming culture, and there has been an increase in cross border activity and transnational networks. However, the VRWE challenge continues to evolve. This month, the RAN will be taking a look at how the challenge has evolved, including how VRWE groups have exploited crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and will highlight the work of RAN practitioners in addressing it.
Focus on VRWE (14/05/2020)
The RAN will be addressing the topic of violent right wing extremism in a number of its activities this year.
In May and June alone, we will be touching upon the VRWE topic in a Working Group meeting, two webinars and two publications.
Next month the RAN will publish an infographic ‘roadmap’ which will provide an overview of existing papers, videos, articles or other products relevant for RAN practitioners and outline RAN activities in the months to come.
Webinar (14/05/2020)
A RAN webinar on 15 May looked at the violent right wing extremism challenge.
Hosted by Nikki Sterkenburg, an expert on VRWE and award winning journalist, the webinar examined the insights from the RAN factbook on violent right wing extremism and discuss the implications for practitioners in their work.
RAN factbook (14/05/2020)
In December 2019, the RAN published a factbook on violent right wing extremism. The factbook provides a practical introduction to the fundamental elements of the VRWE scene in Europe, including a definition of what it encompasses...
Podcast (14/05/2020)
In December 2019, the RAN hosted a conversation online between four practitioners from across Europe to discuss the violent right wing extremism phenomenon. The podcast touches upon VRWE sub-cultures in football in Poland, VRWE attacks in Norway and VRWE efforts to recruit through online gaming. You can listen to the podcast in full here.
Case study (14/05/2020)
In October 2019, the RAN produced a case study film which explores the narratives and strategies deployed by violent right wing extremist groups.
The film follows the fictional story of a 19 year old lady called Hanna from a deprived suburb in Europe, who is being recruited by her cousin into a group whose aim to ‘protect the country against migrants’.
More to come… (14/05/2020)
Over the coming weeks in May the RAN will be highlighting and showcasing the work of its practitioners in addressing the VRWE challenge. Next week, the RAN will share the first of two films which capture the insights and views of practitioners on how the VRWE challenge continues to evolve, what this means for practitioners and what is currently being done to tackle it.
Upcoming events (14/05/2020)
Call for Expert Practitioners (14/05/2020)
The RAN is looking for new expert practitioners for its ‘expert pool’ for 2020 and beyond. The expert pool consists of radicalisation experts who stand out among their fellow practitioners because of their in-depth know-how on a specific topic and their capacity to share this know-how with others. Practitioners in the expert pool will fulfil the role of a tutor by supporting other practitioners in their ongoing development. Expert practitioners might be asked to deliver lectures and training workshops, represent the RAN at external events, and draft specialised papers. For more information about the expert pool, the criteria for selection and how to apply
The DNA of Digital Youth Work (14/05/2020)
A new paper provides insights for practitioners, particularly youth workers, who are looking to deliver digital interventions, on how to reach and engage with young people online. The paper explores four important elements of digital youth work, including: defining goals and understanding the audience; producing relevant platform-specific content; attaining the skills and resources needed; and organisational and ethical considerations. The paper draws on the insights gathered from participants at the RAN YF&C & RAN C&N online meeting on ‘How to do digital youth work in a P/CVE context: Revising the current elements’ on 19th March 2020.
