Far-right extremism and the extreme narratives held by the far fight
continue to pose a threat to community safety and national security.
Its impact is felt on a daily basis by individuals and communities
across the U.K. Though very often far right extremism is rooted in its
local context, the far-right extreme narratives know no national and
international borders. Online connectivity is of course making the
extreme interchanges more common and easy.
The most visible cases are those that hit the headlines, such as
Breivik’s attacks in Norway or the shocking and tragic murder of MP
Jo Cox. Though attacks of this magnitude remain rare, they are not
unheard of. Incidents as such leave a devastating impact on families
and communities as a whole; inducing an unbearable loss and magnitude
of fear and uncertainty. However, the bulk of the far right threat
is felt through hate crime/speech and incitement; street
demonstrations, harassment, and intimidation. Many of these incidences
often go undetected and are hard to quantify but the devastation and
destruction they leave in communities is immense.
At the heart of any effort to tackle the far right or provide a
counter narrative, an attempt needs to be made to understand the
drivers that lead to this rhetoric and these harmful narratives. In
doing so one needs to consider the multiple “faces” and discourses
of the far right, as well as their ways of operation and ability to
influence specific ethnic groups. With far-right political parties
finding their way into state parliaments and groups of white
supremacists becoming more and more influential, fascist ideologies
are expanding to a dangerous extent; requiring a specific but pressing
response.
Birmingham University in partnership with Birmingham City Council
would like to take this opportunity to invite you to an event that
will be taking place at the University of Birmingham. The event will
seek to raise awareness of ‘the multiple faces of the far right’,
as well as consider what an alternative voice to the far right may
look like.
This event is built on the experiences of those individuals that are
on the front line tackling far-right extremism and will incorporate
the views key institutional, practitioner, community and academic
stakeholders. The event will shed light on the various discourses of
the far right; from Islamophobia to anti-Semitism; as well as looking
at how the far right have engaged both the Polish and Sikh community,
as well as how football is used as a means to foster support or
credence for far right discourses. The event will also offer you an
opportunity to hear the story of a survivor of far right violence,
revealing how courage and forgiveness can empower victims to challenge
hate crime. A wider conversation will also be facilitated via a
question and answer session.
Confirmed speakers are:
Councillor Chatfiled, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Equalities
– Birmingham City Council
Dr. Chris Allen, Birmingham University
Prof. Matthew Feldman, Director, CARR - Co-Director, Academic
Consulting Services__
Fiyaz Mughal, Faith Matters
Dr Alex Oaten, Teaching Fellow in Political Science at Birmingham
University
Dr Kurdy - Survivor of a Far Right attack and community activist
(I4GIVEHA8)
Dr. Gareth Harris, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations,
Coventry University
Attend this FREE event if you wish to learn about the multiple faces
of the far right and if you wish to explore ways of providing a
counter far right narrative.
This event is aimed at professionals and grass root organisations
specifically that wish to build resilient communities in the face of a
rising far right challenge. Early booking is advised as tickets are
limited.
VENUE:
Birmingham University,
Edgbaston Campus,
Birmingham,
B15 2TT
TIME:
1:30pm (Registration and Networking)
2:00pm prompt start
For further details, please contact Shaida Bibi, Community
Co-ordinator, Birmingham City Council on:
shaida.bibi@birmingham.gov.uk
culture
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12/05/2018 Last update