ESW Open Seminar Series
Centre for International Education (CIE)
Monday 4th April, 4.30pm
Room G22, Jubilee
Speaker
Lynn Davies, Emeritus Professor of International Education,
University of Birmingham & Director of ConnectJustice, presents:
Preventing Extremism:
Resilience in a secular democracy
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Some of the strategies devised by governments and educationists to ‘prevent’
extremism are counter-productive. Simplistic notions of the roots of
radicalization, together with calls for surveillance of potential extremists, act to
stigmatise sections of the community – whether Muslims, single parents or
government critics. Research (including her own) into journeys in and out of
extremism reveals these trajectories to be highly complex - and not always
interrupted by ‘counter-narratives’. Religious particularism, in particular, can
easily be amplified into extremism for individuals seeking a sense of purpose.
In her seminar, Professor Davies will argue that two sorts of resilience need to
be built: individual and systemic. Both of these rely on healthy doubt and the
possibility for change and critique, meaning safe spaces for debate in
educational institutions and community forums where people can voice views
and grievances and have them challenged. At the systemic level, this would
equate to a participative democracy with the potential for regime change where
citizens have the freedom to challenge authority - and participate in decisionmaking at local levels. Underpinning both is the need for a secular democracy
which accommodates religion but does not privilege it or make it immune from
challenge.
Educational institutions are places where the young can learn how to use
freedom of speech responsibly – whether in confronting religious or far right
extremism. They should equally be places where the young can gain a sense
of importance.
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