Is fear rooted in the ignorance of the culture of ‘the other’?  How can we create cooperative and positive relations between people of different religions or beliefs? Are interfaith initiatives capable of bridging the gap of misunderstanding between various religions?  

Hate speech and prejudices in society are a threat to democratic principles as they undermine fundamental rights and particularly freedom of expression, by using them as a pretext for insulting and humiliating individuals and groups. Hate speech often targets diversity and represents a powerful obstacle to social cohesion. This lab showcases innovative initiatives to prevent hate speech and prejudices in diverse societies.

Can effective integration policies prevent the radicalisation of migrants and minorities and in this way combat terrorism? Are intercultural policies, focusing on the benefit of diversity for society, merely used as a token or are they the right way forward to prevent a further widening of the gap of misunderstanding and ignorance between cultures?

The lab will address challenges of confronting radicalization and violent extremism through firsthand experience of two Heads of State who worked on preventing or combating violent extremism in their countries and the necessary policies and tools needed to prevent and counter this growing phenomenon in today’s society.

The best defense of a democratic society against threats is an educated citizenry, a sense of shared humanistic values, and a high level of trust between individuals and in public institutions. It should strive to build a culture of living together in diversity and a shared vision about the future. But can learning of democratic culture be measured? Should we rethink it and if so, how?

Communities that marginalise their immigrant populations risk radicalising the most vulnerable elements, and also miss out on the many opportunities that come when all community members feel welcome. How can societies fully leverage the potential of diversity and benefit from the entrepreneurship, creativity and variety of skills associated with migration? This lab addresses new strategies to prevent radicalisation and to improve outcomes for all residents by more successfully integrating migrants into society.

As more people than ever are attempting to escape political violence, oppression, destitution and environmental changes in their countries, Europe faces major asylum and migration policy challenges, but lacks an explicit framework guaranteeing protection and addressing the fears stemming from growing ethnic and cultural diversity.

Civil society space is under pressure in countries where non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are perceived as a threat to security and sovereignty and where insecurity is used as a pretext to dispense with the freedoms of association, assembly and expression. This lab looks for ways of supporting and protecting NGOs by monitoring and analysing the situation, issuing early warnings, and addressing problems through policy prescriptions, advocacy, dialogue and co-operation in intergovernmental settings.