germany
Profession He studied social science at the University of Cologne.	Background Mimoun also developed the Hikmah Concept, which creates positive narratives through story-telling, and a jail project to counter violent extremism among prisoners with migrant backgrounds.
Organisation 180 Grad Wende A social activist of Moroccan origin, Mimoun Berrissoun coordinates 180 Grad Wende (180 Degree Turn), an NGO that helps young people turn their lives around and prevents youth crime and radicalisation using peer-to-peer networking. Its services include counselling, school programmes to counter antisemitism and islamophobia, and training courses run in cooperation with city councils and the police.

Act
effectively

A mother calls your organisation or youth group because she is afraid that her son is about to travel abroad to join an extremist organisation. Your friend starts to spend his nights consuming extremist media on the internet. What can you do?

Targeted interventions

Intervening to help people who are on a path towards radicalisation but are not yet involved in violent attacks is an important dimension of CVE. Interventions can prevent individuals from joining dangerous groups and doing harm to themselves or others. They are most likely to succeed when they occur early and involve friends, parents or relatives who are close to the person at risk. Where possible, train interveners. Trainings should tell interveners what they need to know, how to proceed, and what to avoid. It is often effective to discuss examples of successful intervention. What do interveners need to know? First, many kinds of people become radicalised and it is vital to understand the personality and situation of those at risk as well as the depth of their engagement. Are they sympathisers, followers, or hardcore supporters?

Second, why are they attracted to the extreme movement in question? Motives are numerous: broken family relationships, solitude, low self-confidence, lack of direction, experience of marginalisation or discrimination, or having friends who are radicalised. Interventions must be carefully managed, because inappropriate approaches may push young people further towards radicalisation. In the worst cases, those at risk may cut their ties with friends and family, making it almost impossible to assist them or even stay in contact.

A programme in Tajikistan teaches mothers to combat radicalisation in their families. The Mothers’ School Model trains mothers to identify and respond to early signs of radicalisation.

We say

Remember that the person you want to deter from radicalisation is a victim, not the guilty party. Show empathy and sympathy while remaining clear about
what is right and wrong.

Make sure that your intervention strategy fits the profile of the beneficiary, and addresses his or her motives for radicalisation.

Communication is crucial. Be humble; talk at the same level; be careful of the language you use.

Offer exit strategies, different world views, alternative activities.

Oppose every form of violent extremism. Treat all people equally. Young people who are radicalised are highly sensitive to injustice, even if they only talk about it when they are treated unjustly.

Never include extremists as partners in your intervention work.

Analyse the situation in your area. Can you identify unjust or discriminatory conditions that are creating hatred or grievances?

Try to develop a reputation for integrity and credibility in your community. Build strong contacts with its key members.

Participate in networks for support. Encourage people at risk to do the same, because networks are stabilizing and help to prevent backsliding. Prepare a list or database of institutions that can help you work effectively with young people at risk. Meet with interveners or NGOs in your country who have professional experience of intervening.

180° Grad Wende came across Mustafa on the German subway. He was invited to participate in counselling groups and when he met other young people with similar problems he realised he was not alone. Older coaches helped him prepare a CV that he used for job applications. At his request, 180° Grad Wende helped him to obtain his high school diploma and complete a technical training course. Today, Mustafa is pursuing his education and helps other young people in the network.

germany

Profession

Background

Organisation

Acteffectively

Targeted interventions

We say

Meet our young leaders and learn more about their projects

Act
effectively

Meet our young leaders and
learn more about their projects