In recent weeks, Austria and France have sadly become the latest countries in Europe to be affected by violence linked to religious concerns. In the aftermath of a terror attack, religious leaders carry heavy responsibilities; not only as leaders of communities which need reassurance and protection, but also as intermediaries between groups and institutions among which relations may have been severely strained. The effectiveness of their responses, the support they receive from other sectors and the collaborative relationships they form can be crucial to maintaining social solidarity and preventing more crimes taking place.



The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) and the European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL)- Religions for Peace Europe, have both observed with dismay the violence of the last two months. They have sought to offer representatives of different sectors an opportunity to come together to reflect on the best possible responses to violent extremism, and to identify the optimal means and areas for collaborating to manage and prevent it. Participants in the dialogue activities will consider what courses of action have had the most positive impact in the past and whether such examples can be learned from, adapted and replicated to help in other contexts. They will also analyse when and how partnerships between faith leaders and policy makers function most successfully to maintain trust and solidarity and to prevent alienation, radicalization and potential violence.

The webinar will gather a group of European religious leaders and representatives of secular organizations. The moderated conversation will address the difficult task of making the right response in the immediate aftermath of an attack, as well as the steps needed to prevent acts of violent extremism in the long term. The audience will be welcome to pose questions during the last part of the session. Ideas drawn from this discussion will both build upon and feed into a series of KAICIID initiatives designed to promote social cohesion in Europe next year.