Debating Notions and Approaches to Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

All the conceptual, theoretical and disciplinary issues concerning violent extremism and radicalisation are critically reviewed and established in Concepts and Analytical Framework. Debating Notions and Approaches to Radicalisation and Violent Extremism. This first paper released in the framework of the Horizon 2020 EU-funded project CONNEKT sets the academic backbone for studying in upcoming stages the radicalisation processes in MENA and Balkan societies with the aim of recommending tools and measures to prevent violent extremism among youths.

Corinne Torrekens and Daphné de le Vingne (Université Libre de Bruxelles) offer in this paper a comprehensive review of definitions on issues such as terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation, and put forward the analytical models of radicalisation processes developed by researchers. The paper also presents the current state of the art regarding the different drivers of violent radicalisation processes identified in the scientific and academic literature by exploring the different macro, meso and micro levels (transnational, community and individual) and their interplay.

Finally, the authors also offer a look into the literature produced on existing mechanisms of Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and regarding the initiatives of deradicalisation or disengagement, and the scope and results of the programmes of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) being put in place in MENA and Balkan societies.

Torrekens is professor and PhD in social and political sciences at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and has conducted researches for the Groupe de recherche sur les relations ethniques, migration et égalité (GERME-ULB) linked to the integration of Islam in Belgium. Daphné de le Vingne is a PhD Candidate, GERME-ULB.

The CONNEKT project

CONNEKT is a research and action project which analyses seven potential radicalisation factors among youth aged between 12 and 30: religion, digitalisation, economic deprivation, territorial inequalities, transnational dynamics, socio-political demands, and educational, cultural and leisure opportunities and evaluates them on three levels:transnational/state, community and individual.

Its aim is to establish a multi-dimensional map of drivers of extremism among youth in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bulgaria, and to identify the interplay between them. Based on the empirical research findings, the project will end up recommending tools and measures for the prevention of violent extremism from a social and community perspective both for the regions of study and the European Union.

Under the coordination of the European Institute of the Mediterranean, (IEMed), the project gathers a multidisciplinary Consortium involving 14 partners from MENA, the EU and the Balkans.

The CONNEKT project is funded by the the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement no. 870772.

Concepts and Analytical Framework. Debating Notions and Approaches to Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

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More:
https://launching.h2020connekt.eu/publications

Official website of the project (coming soon):
http://h2020connekt.eu/