The Christchurch attacks (March 2019) and the Easter Sunday attacks on worshippers and others in Sri Lanka draw attention to the ever-present threat of radicalisation and its implications for personal safety, societal harmony and global security. They indicate the threat of radicalisation emanates both from jihadist groups and right-wing white supremacists. In light of these developments, there is an urgent need for comprehensive and evidence-based policy responses to address radicalisation and find ways towards de-radicalisation.

The symposium, co-hosted by the Centre for Muslim States and Societies (UWA), UWA Public Policy Institute and the Australian Institute of International Affairs WA, aims to focus on the following issues:

This one-day conference aims to explore:

• Radicalisation, its causes, its various manifestations, and how different spaces enabled by globalisation have spread radicalisation

• The experience of other countries in responding to radicalisation

• The responses by Australian government and community to radicalisation

• Emerging issues of responding to returning foreign fighters and their families exposed to terrorism in the wake of the fall of ISIS

The symposium therefore aims focuses on both research and policy in the areas of radicalisation, counter-radicalisation and de-radicalisation.

Conveners

Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director, Centre for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia

Dr Azim Zahir, Associate Lecturer, University of Western Australia

Co-hosted by

Centre for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia

UWA Public Policy Institute

Australian Institute of International Affairs WA

SPEAKERS

Keynote address, Professor Stephen Smith, Advisory Board Chair of UWA Public Policy Institute

Dr Hass Dellal AO, Preventing violent extremism, Executive Director and Company Secretary, Australian Multicultural Foundation

Professor Shamit Saggar, Evidence about Islamist inspired radicalisation, Director, Public Policy Institute, University of Western Australia

Professor Raymond Taras, Xenophobia and Islamophobia: what has changed since Runnymede 1997?, The Australian National University, Canberra

Professor Michele Grossman, Radicalisation and counter-radicalisation: post-Christchurch attacks, Deakin University

Dr Mark Briskey, The rise of right wing extremism, Murdoch University

Ms Shameema Kolia, Muslim youth response to Christchurch attacks, Community Relations Manager at MAA International

Dr Rizwana Begum, Pluralism as Counter-Radicalization strategy: the education of Singapore Muslims, Independent scholar, Singapore

Professor Samina Yasmeen, Returnees and dealing with children and women exposed to terrorism and radicalisation in Syria, The University of Western Australia

Dr Azim Zahir, Salafism, radicalisation and foreign fighters: lessons from the Maldives, Associate Lecturer, University of Western Australia

Mr Muhammad Suleiman, Countering radicalisation: African experiences, PhD Candidate, University of Western Australia