Call for participants: RAN VoT WG meeting - Making use of (the resilience of) victims/survivors of terrorism in preventing conspiracy narratives in schools

We are looking for participants interested in joining the upcoming meeting of the RAN Working Group Victims/Survivors of Terrorism on ‘Making use of (the resilience of) victims/survivors of terrorism in preventing conspiracy narratives in schools’.

Background and aim of the meeting

Victims/survivors of terrorism possess a unique perspective on the concept of radicalisation towards violent extremism, having directly faced its consequences. Their voices hold immense potential in the prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE). Especially their contribution to prevention work in classrooms has proven to play a very powerful role and can help tackle the growing danger of conspiracy narratives. However, practitioners have often been hesitant to involve victims/survivors due to uncertainty and/or fear of retraumatisation.

This meeting aims to review the discussions held by the VoT Working Group in recent years and assess the current state of play regarding key topics. These include the value of victims’/survivors’ testimonials in P/CVE approaches, their role in working with students in schools, countering conspiracy narratives, and utilising victims’/survivors’ voices in alternative narrative campaigns. Insights gathered from previous years and new insights from the meeting will inform the creation of guidelines for practitioners seeking to involve victims/survivors in their P/CVE work in preventing conspiracy narratives in schools.

Target group 

We are seeking participants from the following categories:

• Victims/survivors of terrorism.
• Representatives of victim organisations working in schools.
• Practitioners actively engaged with victims/survivors in P/CVE work in schools or aspiring to do so.
• Practitioners dedicated to raising awareness of the agency of victims/survivors in P/CVE efforts.
• Practitioners working on preventing/countering conspiracy narratives in schools.

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 17 May.

We will invite participants based on this information. Please keep in mind that we only have a limited number of places available for this meeting to foster exchanges, 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 f [dot] cantersradaradvies [dot] nl (Fenna Canters) or florian [dot] reimersviolence-prevention-network [dot] de (Florian Reimers).