Conference for the project “Extreme Society”

Extremist political views are experiencing a boom. Positions on both the right and the left sides of the political spectrum as well as in the context of religious sectarianism have been radicalizing here in Germany as well. In order to avoid the development of a “society of extremes” and to strengthen our liberal values, we must first understand the mechanisms that inform individual and collective processes of radicalization. Along with preventing and prosecuting criminal acts, incentives for exiting extremist groups must also be provided.

The conference organized by the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) and the German Foundation for Peace Research (DSF) presents the key findings and recommendations for action developed by the project “Extreme Society. Radicalization and deradicalization in Germany”, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. Under the direction of PRIF, a 24-person team comprised of experts from the academic community and practitioners investigated the current state of knowledge related to the following six cross-cutting issues and generated policy recommendations:

The conference is targeted at experts representing the areas of policy-making, federal, state and municipal administrations, security authorities, academia, media outlets and civil society organizations involved in political education, prevention and deradicalization. Workshops and discussions with the respective project teams will be held for each of the six cross-cutting issues. A roundtable discussion will also address the matter of how much radicalism a society must withstand and how to effectively develop prevention efforts.
 

When? Wednesday, 12 September 2018, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where? Leibniz-Geschäftsstelle, Conference Room (5th floor), Chausseestrasse 111, 10115 Berlin

We kindly request interested participants to register via email: info@bundesstiftung-friedensforschung.de

 

Program

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening remarks and introduction, with talks by:

  • Professor Dr. Ulrich Schneckener, Chair of the German Foundation for Peace Research (DSF)
  • Professor Dr. Matthias Kleiner, President of the Leibniz Association
  • Dr. Michael Meister, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)
  • Prof. Dr. Christopher Daase, Deputy Managing Board Member, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), a Leibniz Association


10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Presentation of the modules: First block

  • Andreas Zick: The radicalization of individuals: An overview of possible explanatory approaches
  • Naika Foroutan Bridging narratives: Connecting elements of group radicalization
  • Eva Herschinger: The radicalization of society? Research perspectives and policy recommendations
  • Carmen Wunderlich: Moderation


11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Coffee break
 

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Parallel workshops: First block

Workshop 1: The radicalization of individuals: An overview of possible explanatory approaches

  • Fabian Srowig, Viktoria Roth, Daniela Pisoiu, Katharina Seewald, Andreas Zick
  • Moderation: Carmen Wunderlich
     

Workshop 2: Bridging narratives: Connecting elements of group radicalization

  • David Meiering, Aziz Dziri, Naika Foroutan, Simon Teune, Esther Lehnert, Marwan Abou-Taam
  • Moderation: Julian Junk
     

Workshop 3: The radicalization of society? Research perspectives and policy recommendations

12:35 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. Roundtable: How much radicalism must a society withstand?

1:35 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Lunch break
 

2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Presentation of the modules: Second block and brief final remarks

  • Thomas Mücke: The challenges of deradicalization Insights into research and practice
  • Peter Neumann: The role of the Internet and social media for radicalization and deradicalization
  • Andreas Armborst: Evaluations in extremism prevention: Approaches and controversies
  • Julian Junk: Moderation and final remarks
     

3:45 PM a.m. – 4:00 PM a.m. Coffee break
 

4:00 PM a.m. – 5:00 PM p.m. Parallel workshops: Second block

Workshop 4: The challenges of deradicalization: Insights into research and practice

  • Judy Korn, Thomas Mücke, Till Baaken, Tore Bjørgo, Michael Kiefer, Maximilian Ruf, Dennis Walkenhorst
  • Moderation: Carmen Wunderlich
     

Workshop 5: The role of the Internet and social media in radicalization and deradicalization

Workshop 6: Evaluations in extremism prevention: Approaches and controversies

  • Andreas Armborst, Janusz Biene, Marc Coester, Frank Greuel, Björn Milbradt, Inga Nehlsen
  • Moderation: Magdalena von Drachenfels
     

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Social event with canapés