Solving Extremism Through Diversity: A Conversation with Bjørn Ihler
“I spent a significant amount of time in my life travelling around, meeting with former extremists, whether those were members of far-right extremist groups, left-wing extremist groups, separatist groups, Islamist extremist groups … and one of the uniting factors behind all forms of extremism is the idea of supremacy, but also the fear of diversity.” — Bjørn Ihler
At 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 we invite guests to talk with us about migration. On the 9th of May, Project Phoenix’s Michael Goecken welcomed Bjørn Ihler to talk about diversity and inclusion, rather than integration, as the drivers behind the fight against extremism and radicalisation — on all sides.
Bjørn Ihler is an internationally renowned expert in countering and preventing radicalisation and violent extremism through the design of healthier communities, both on and off-line. In 2016 Ihler co-founded the Khalifa-Ihler Institute, which works to promote peace, human rights, and thriving communities. Recently, the institute also launched Activism Academy, a platform which serves as a commentary on events related to the multi-layered world of activism and peace-keeping. Ihler is also a member of the group Extremely Together working under the Kofi Annan Foundation to empower youth internationally. They work to challenge violent extremism in their local communities and work against radicalisation across the globe. Bjørn Ihler holds lectures, workshops, and talks worldwide. You can watch his contribution to the TEDx Maastricht event in November 2017, where he spoke about the importance of bursting one’s personal bubble to allow diversity in and to fight extremism.
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If you want to be a guest of one of our Phoenix Talks or have ideas and suggestions, please get in touch via contact@project-phoenix.eu. We look forward to your contribution.
Project Phoenix is a young European NGO and social enterprise working to empower migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in an urban setting, using the best of a social innovation playbook. Premised on the pillars of sustainability, economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, socio-cultural integration through professional-skills training and mentorship, we leverage our global networks and fill gaps that legacy institutions and international organisations are often unable to. We are limber, agile and use a systems-thinking, non-prescriptive approach to present feasible solutions.
Project Phoenix is currently running a Pilot Project on the ground in Cyprus. Motivated individuals apply to join as fellows to receive assistance through skills training and entrepreneurial support. Fellows contribute to their local community through the establishment of their own social enterprise which allows them to pay it forward. This innovative approach encourages the sustainable empowerment of refugees and migrants and the development of a circular and sustainable economic and social movement on the island.
