The BRIDGE project (Building resilience to reduce polarisation and growing extremism) will conclude on 31 May with an online event (10:45 to 13:00 CET) to exchange on European perspectives on the prevention of polarisation. The conference will also be an occasion to present methodologies and tools that allow local and regional authorities to assess social cohesion.
European perspectives on preventing and mitigating polarisation and radicalisation leading to violent extremism
Polarisation can be understood as a process of sharpening differences between groups in society that can result in increased tensions. It is a potential amplifying cause of the diverse psychological and social factors that make people vulnerable to radicalisation.
In order to effectively prevent radicalisation we need to understand the dynamics of polarisation: how do ‘us-and-them thinking’, social division and hostility gain ground in our communities? And how can we effectively intervene into such extremist dynamics and build bridges to foster social cohesion?
The BRIDGE project’s aims to strengthen the capacity of local actors to mitigate polarisation and to reduce individual and collective vulnerability to radicalisation leading to violent extremism
Its final event will take place online on 31 May, and will be the opportunity to exchange on ‘European perspectives’ on the prevention of polarisation. One of the key aspects to be discussed is the strengthening of social cohesion and community resilience at the local and regional level.
The speakers will present methodologies and tools that allow local and regional authorities to assess the presence and level of social cohesion and its contribution to overcome polarisation and strengthen urban security.
In the framework of this experience and knowledge exchange, BRIDGE partner local authorities will equally share their key lessons learned and recommendations with regards to the prevention and mitigation of polarisation.
31 May, 10:45 – 13:00 CET
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Simultaneous interpretation available in English and French. Registration is free of charge.
Programme
10:45-10:50 | Welcome and Introduction
Julia Rettig and Eszter Karacsony, Efus Programme Managers
10:50 – 11:20 | Local and regional authorities: key actors in fostering social cohesion
- Mette Gundersen, Member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe; City Councillor of Kristiansand, Norway
11:20 – 11:50 | Guest City Testimony : Prevention Pyramid, assessing the impact of social cohesion on urban security
- Lies Baarendse and Werner Van Herle, City of Mechelen (BE)
- Markus Pausch, BRIDGE Expert, Professor of Political Science, University of Applied Sciences Salzburg
11:50 – 12:00 | Coffee Break
12:00 – 12:20 | Q&A
12:20 – 12:45 | Key Takeaways of the BRIDGE partners
BRIDGE consortium members
12:45 – 13:00 | Closing remarks
Julia Rettig and Eszter Karacsony, Efus Programme Managers
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