Civil actors’ role in deradicalisation and disengagement initiatives

Intersubjective body mapping for reintegration: assessing an art-based methodology to promote reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters

“…The handbook provides a comprehensive understanding for the complexities of reintegration initiatives and acknowledges the importance of community-based approaches (Hansen and Lid, 2020). While noting the importance of components such as dialogue and enhanced understanding and trust among actors (Hansen, 2020;Hansen and Lid, 2020;Lid, 2020;Wilchen Christensen, 2020), no reference is made to art as part of advancing reintegration initiatives.…”

“…Advancing understanding and trust between returnees and community members are recognized as crucial components in the holistic approach to strengthen reintegration strategies as part of preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism (Hansen and Lid, 2020;OSCE, 2020;Wilchen Christensen, 2020). Enhancing capacity to address challenges will inform and advance the development of reintegration strategies which are facilitated, and committed to, by returnees and community members alike (Mykkanen, 2020).…”

“…Trust and understanding are crucial elements of dialogue related to addressing challenges in the development and successful implementation of reintegration frameworks, strategies and initiatives (OSCE, 2020;Wilchen Christensen, 2020), as lack of trust and understanding are recognized as reasons for returnees and community actors failing, leaving or abandoning the process (Mykkanen, 2020). Enhancing trust and understanding between agencies and individuals is assessed as vital in order to facilitate and strengthen collaboration in implementation of reintegration initiatives (Dean and Kessels, 2018, p. 49;OSCE, 2020;UNSC, 2019a) and sustain commitment to the process (Mykkanen, 2020).…”

“…Providing a platform to advance communication and address current challenges will enhance understanding and trust, which are argued to be essential components for the successful reintegration of returnees as well as preventing and countering violent extremism (Hansen and Lid, 2020;Mykkanen, 2020;OSCE, 2020;Wilchen Christensen, 2020). It is recognized that visual arts, including the body mapping methodology, allow for participants to engage in a reflective process enhancing understanding for individual experiences, which increases embodied awareness that allows for non-conflictual interpersonal communication Orchard, 2017;van der Kolk, 2015).…”

The Phoenix Model of Disengagement and Deradicalisation from Terrorism and Violent Extremism

“…While such issues have often clouded the use of formers, the results of the review overall emphasised potential benefits rather than reporting problems. Among the advantages that studies highlighted for using formers was the enhancement of knowledge about the exit process, the credibility of formers, and the possibility of formers acting as role models (Christensen, 2020). However, no study has yet provided a clear-cut impact evaluation of the effectiveness of formers.…”