Preventing Violent Extremism – Dialogue, Reconciliation and Hope
At a time of growing polarisation, conflict and unrest around the world, the question of how to prevent violent extremism is becoming increasingly urgent. How can we stop young people from being drawn into extremist groups? And what happens when people from different countries, and from opposing sides of a terrorist attack, choose to meet rather than allow hatred to have the final word?
In December 2018, Maren Ueland was murdered in Morocco.
Following this tragedy, her mother, Irene Ueland, founded the Marengarden Peacebuilding Foundation. The foundation works to promote dialogue, reconciliation and the prevention of extremism through culture and nature, with a particular focus on parenting.
Since its establishment, the foundation has built bridges across borders: between Norway and Morocco, between parents affected by the Bataclan terrorist attacks on both sides, and across professional communities and religious organisations.
In 2023, the foundation and the Nobel Peace Centre organised the dialogue event “When Reconciliation Seems Impossible”.
We invite you to an honest and personal conversation about meeting “the other side”, grief, responsibility, restoration and hope. We will also explore what parents, professionals and society can do to prevent further polarisation and stop both young people and adults from being drawn into violent extremism.
The event will open with a video greeting from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. A greeting from Irene Ueland, founder of the foundation, will also be read aloud.
Moderator
Marte Spurkland, journalist and author.
Contributors
- Jonas Gahr Støre – Prime Minister of Norway (video greeting).
- Irene Ueland – Founder of the Marengarden Peacebuilding Foundation (greeting to be read aloud).
- Elisabeth Harnes – Psychotherapist, religious studies scholar and specialist adviser on radicalisation and violent extremism. Editor of the book Efforts Against Extremism: Theory and Practice. Member of the EU Knowledge Hub on Radicalisation and board member of the Marengarden Peacebuilding Foundation.
- David Hansen – Professor of International Terrorism at the Norwegian Correctional Service University College (KRUS). Member of the EU Knowledge Hub on Radicalisation and board member of the Marengarden Peacebuilding Foundation.
