RAN Victims/Survivors of Terrorism Working Group

(with input from RAN Youth & Education, and RAN Young)

This digital meeting will take place via WebEx on 18 June 2021 (10.00-12.30 and 14.00-16.00 with breaks included – times are approximate and subject to change).

We are currently looking for suitable participants for a RAN multi-meeting of the Working Group Victims/Survivors of Terrorism, with input from the RAN Y&E Working Group and RAN Young Platform. The topic of this multi-meeting is ‘Supporting the voices of victims of terrorism with a particular focus on supporting young people’.

Background and aim of the meeting

The voices of victims/survivors of terrorism play an essential role in societies. Their testimonies are a strong reminder of the painful human consequences of violent extremism and terrorism. For practitioners and organisations working with them, it is critical to understand that the experiences of victims/survivors may differ, and that each is a unique, genuine, and important voice in preventing and countering violent extremism.

Many victims/survivors want to participate in positive action against violent extremism. While many chose to support the prevention of the horrors of terrorism from occurring in the first place, others want to counsel peers who are suffering from similar experiences or want to promote societal resilience and reconciliation. In order to provide adequate support, practitioners working with victims/survivors need to take into account in their planning and work the diverse voices, perspectives and motivations that victims of terrorism bring to the table.

Young victims/survivors of terrorism play an important role in this regard. Having to live the longest with the consequences of terrorist attacks, young people’s needs and perspectives are informed by their transition to adulthood. Losing parents or close relatives can have lasting impacts on their lives. These young men and women often face a greater risk of marginalisation, and their voices need to be heard. In fact, young victims/survivors already contribute to P/CVE efforts across Europe, be it through advocacy, local prevention projects or by supporting reconciliation efforts.

This meeting will explore how young victims/survivors are making their voices heard against violent extremism – and how practitioners can best support them. Building on past meetings and input from RAN Youth & Education and the RAN Young Platform, participants will exchange their practical insights from working with young victims and discuss challenges and lessons learned in the area of social work, education, youth work and mental health support.

The outcome of this meeting will be a guideline with tangible advice for first-line practitioners working with young victims/survivors.

Participants we are looking for:

• Young victims/survivors and first-line practitioners as well as organisations and associations who are working with young victims/survivors in the area of social care, youth work, education or (mental) health support.
• Practitioners should have experience in working with young victims/survivors.

Deadline

If you are interested in participating at this meeting, please fill out the form by clicking here.

Please answer the questions and submit all relevant information by 04 June 2021 at the latest.

We will invite participants based on this information. Please keep in mind that we only have a limited amount of places available for this meeting to foster exchanges, so participation is not guaranteed.

The meeting will be held digitally in English.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fenna Canters and Nico Schernbeck.