IMPACT Europe News Digest [#14]

Welcome to the fourteenth instalment of the IMPACT Europe news digest. Through this series, the IMPACT Europe team will endeavour to present you with a selection of news, commentaries, journals articles and web materials relating to research and policy developments touching on the subject matters underpinning IMPACT Europe’s project’s mission. To receive the latest updates on IMPACT Europe’s research, dissemination and outreach activities you can follow our Twitter account (@impacteurope) or sign up to our quarterly newsletter through our homepage.

 

NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

EU policy update

European Commission

Migration, security and social inclusion are three of the six priorities on the agenda of the Maltese EU Council presidency that runs from January to July of this year. Countering the financing of terrorism remains an ongoing legislative focus as part of the EU security agenda [source].

On 25 January the European Commission presented its fourth progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union. Key developments highlighted in this report include work on: (i) information systems and interoperability; (ii) soft target protection; (iii) cyber threat; and (iv) data protection in the context of criminal investigations [source].

One year after the launch of the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC), Europol reported on the activities, outputs and impacts achieved by the ECTC. In particular, Europol announced that, through this initiative, information sharing between EU member states has markedly improved. By the end of 2016, Europol held 10 times more information on ‘person entities’ compared to the amount of information held in January 2015 [source].

On 16 February, the European Parliament approved a new directive on combatting terrorism. This directive extends the current EU framework in order to respond to emerging threats and intervene earlier in the development of terrorist groups and activities. For example, activities associated with the “lone wolves” and foreign fighters phenomena that will now be criminalised include: travelling abroad to join a terrorist group, recruiting for terrorism, and training or being trained for terrorism. The directive also introduces new provisions to ensure immediate assistance to victims of terrorism and to their relatives. Assistance will be provided in the form of logistical help, medical and psychological support, and legal and financial advice [source].

 

Sketch of a Social Ecology Model for Explaining Homegrown Terrorist Radicalisation

International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – The Hague (ICCT – The Hague)

In this research note, Lorne Dawson reflects on the reluctance of some academic experts to propose an explanatory model for homegrown radicalisation to violent extremism due to the complicated and diverse manifestations of this phenomenon. Dawson argues that, regardless of its perceived complexity, understanding how and why radicalisation occurs is necessary for developing both intellectual and practical knowledge in this field. He therefore proposes an ecological approach to modelling the process of radicalisation. Unlike a linear, stage-based model of progression, an ecological approach would be able to more comprehensively take into account the many variables and dynamics that may, in different combinations, influence an individual’s radicalisation to violent extremism. This ecological model encompasses five contextual layers, or ‘ecological niches’, namely: late modernity; the immigrant experience; youthful rebellion; ideology; and group dynamics. Across these niches, the author argues that patterns may begin to emerge.

Link: [link]

 

CREST Security Review: Issue 3 – Transmission

Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST)

The latest issue of the CREST Security Review focusses on the transmission of ideas, beliefs and values. Articles in this issue provide insights into how, where, and by whom extremist messages and ideologies are acquired and spread. A number of articles in this issues are of particular relevance for the P/CVE community, including those on: the extent to which extremist ideologies are transmitted between family members, by Simon Copeland; the potential of educational programmes that seek to introduce complexity and ‘value pluralism’ into students’ thinking, by Lynn Davies; and an interview with Ray Lee, a former right wing violent extremist who now works informally to provide counter-messaging to right-wing influences on local youth.

Link: [link]

 

Exit work in a multi-agency setting

Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) Centre of Excellence

This ex-post paper is based on insights and lessons learned that emerged from the RAN EXIT working group’s meetings and activities. Recognising the now widely-held view that multi-agency structures add value to the delivery of complex interventions, this paper seeks to develop our collective understanding of how a successful multi-agency collaboration may be achieved. The paper focusses in particular on multi-agency working in the context of EXIT programmes for the deradicalisation and reintegration of violent extremists, providing a synthesis of learning shared by practitioners and programmers involved in multi-agency EXIT initiatives. Based on these experiences, the paper invites readers to consider a range of questions that may impact the effectiveness of such collaborations. These include: (i) how to determine which partners should be involved in a multi-agency structure; (ii) how to coordinate the mandates of different agencies; and (iii) how to ensure buy-in and an appropriate level of engagement from all partners.

Link: [link]

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

  • The prevention of radicalisation in the context of probation and prison
    LIAISE 2 Seminar
    29 March, the Hague, Netherlands
    [Link]

 

  • Building resilience to Radicalisation and Violent Extremism II
    Strong cities Network Global Summit 2017
    17-19 May 2017, Aarhus, Denmark
    [Link]

 

[Image shared by Marie Aschehoug-Clauteaux via Flickr; CC BY 2.0]