US-EU STUDY VISIT IN BELGIUM: INTERCONTINENTAL DIALOGUE ON COUNTERING VIOLENT RADICALISATION AND EXTREMISM (BY INVITATION ONLY)

The aim of the study visit is to bring together US and EU experts and first-line practitioners in the field of counter-radicalisation and prevention of violent extremism. Mindb4Act would like to provide opportunities to establish intercontinental dialogue between the aforementioned categories of professionals in order to exchange good practices and lessons learned, with a principle focus on: The current trends in radicalisation of individuals/groups; Interplay of different ideologies; and Technological advancement in counter-radicalization and preventive activities. The study visit is a two-day event organized by Mindb4Act project partners: VUB, Elcano Royal Institute, Agenfor and Italian Ministry of Justice in cooperation with the European Foundation for Democracy.

PROGRAM

Day 1. 20.03.2019

14:00 – 18:00

Conference. “The fights against Terrorism. Three years after Brussels attacks” (org. by European Foundation for Democracy and European Policy Center)

Venue: University Foundation, Egmontstraat 11 rue d’Egmont – 1000 Brussels

Day 2. 21.03.2019

09:00 – 14:15

Experts Round table. “Sharing the insights on the US and EU approaches in tackling radicalisation and violent extremism”

Venue: University Foundation, Egmontstraat 11 rue d’Egmont – 1000 Brussels

09.00 – coffee served

09.30 – 09.45 – Welcoming by Elcano and VUB

09.45 – 10.00– Mini-briefing by European Foundation for Democracy. Overview of the current trends in prevention of violent radicalisation in Europe: grass-root perspective

10.00 – 11.00 Current trends in radicalisation in the US and EU Member States

Moderator: Fernando Reinares

10.00 – 10.15 – Omar Ramadan, Head of RAN CoE

10.15 – 10.30 – Gregory Hughes, FBI Agent at Attaché in Rome

10.30 – 11.00 – Reflections, discussion and exchange

11.00 – 12.00 Technological solutions in prevention

Moderator:  Sergio Bianchi

11.00 – 11.15 – Steven Van de Steen, Corrections Technology Expert at Smart Corrections BVBA

11.15 – 11.30 – Mikael Falkoven, Supplier of the Tennessee prison system & Bianca Reisdorf, Assistant Professor at Michigan University

11.30 – 12.00 – Reflections, discussion and exchange

12.00 – 13.00 – Networking lunch

13.00 – 14.00 Interplay of different ideologies in radicalisation

Moderator: Fernando Reinares

13.00 – 13.15 – David Harris, CEO American Jewish Committee (New York)

13.15 – 13.30 – Dr. Christiane Höhn, Principal Adviser to the EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator, Council of the European Union

13.30 – 14.00 – Reflections, discussion and exchange

14.00 – 14.10 – Closing remarks and coffee

For more information about the event, please contact Irina van der Vet and Virginia Cinelli.