Distanz e.V. supports young people in individual and group Deradicalisation Trainings, helping them to distance themselves from dehumanising and violence-affirming attitudes. By drawing on youth cultural, media-related and historical interests, access points to young people’s life worlds are created and their sense of self-efficacy is strengthened. The Deradicalisation Training is an intensive educational measure that lasts on average one year and focuses on supporting young people in shaping a constructive future.
Goals of the Deradicalisation Training
- Distancing from dehumanisation
- Reflection on dehumanising attitudes
- Addressing discriminatory views
- Development of human-rights-oriented perspectives
- Reduction of violence
- Raising awareness of the consequences of all forms of violence
- Development of non-violent conflict resolution strategies
- Self-worth and reflection
- Promoting empathy and perspective-taking
- Strengthening self-reflection and tolerance of ambiguity
- Meaningful life perspectives
- Support in future planning and leisure activities
- Development of alternative life concepts beyond dehumanising ideologies
Implementation
The training is designed to be outreach-based and flexible in order to reach young people in their life worlds with low barriers. Through cooperation with schools of all types, youth welfare offices and institutions of youth (social) work and independent youth services, a relationship-oriented approach is achieved. For each case, individual engagement strategies are discussed with the professionals involved. Within the ongoing process and in compliance with data protection regulations, they are involved in the outcomes of the trainings.
Training Methodology – the BRAKE Approach
B (Relationship): Within the Deradicalisation Trainings, we aim to establish an educational relationship with the participants. A stable pedagogical relationship is the foundation of every training and the basis for intervention. Only within a trusting relationship will participants open up and reflect on criticism.
R (Reflection): The aim is to stimulate reflection processes among participants. They are encouraged to critically question themselves, gain insights and pursue new self-defined goals. This approach makes a significant contribution to distancing from deeply rooted dehumanising attitudes.
A (Outreach): The outreach aspect is of particular importance and shapes our work throughout the entire process. Our basic approach is not to provide an offer that can simply be taken up, but to actively approach potential participants. This means that the work does not begin with a motivation to distance oneself; instead, attitudes are problematised from the outside. This requires close cooperation with sensitised professionals in the everyday lives of young people at risk of entry.
K (Critique): Clear criticism of ideological fragments, generalisations and prejudices is also necessary. This criticism does not call the relationship into question; in some cases, it can even strengthen it. It may also meet young participants’ need for friction and spark curiosity about a new perspective on an issue. Through a critical stance, the relationship level is consciously used to convey that certain personal qualities are valued, while specific political attitudes are problematised and/or rejected.
E (Development): Over the course of the training, a developmental process is initiated among participants that aims to prevent further far-right socialisation and, ideally, open up new perspectives for respectful coexistence. Processes of distancing are ultimately to be understood as transformational processes of identity formation. This includes a view of humanity that grants everyone the possibility to change. We actively seek to shape this transformation process through the outreach-based BRAKE approach.
Insight into Our Deradicalisation Trainings
Practical example from a youth club
A young woman repeatedly attracts attention through comments that insult and demean young people with a history of forced migration. The youth club staff have already held many conversations with her, but so far the interventions have had little effect. The team discusses whether the young woman can continue to be tolerated in the club’s premises. On the one hand, all young people should feel safe and welcome in the club; on the other hand, the staff fear the potential consequences for her development if she is forced to look for other places to spend her time. The team would like to make an offer and therefore contacts Distanz e.V. Together, a concrete and individual engagement strategy is discussed. While Distanz e.V. organises a space outside the club to implement the training, the staff approach the young woman. They are transparent in explaining that a ban from the premises due to her racist remarks is being considered, but that they would prefer to offer support instead. She is asked to attend an initial meeting with the trainers from Distanz e.V. together with a staff member from the youth club. At this first meeting, the staff member explains the reason for the training and then leaves after the training has been introduced. In the initial session, the trainers from Distanz e.V. focus as much as possible on the young woman’s perspective, her interests, hobbies and everyday challenges. Through a respectful and life-world-oriented approach, the trainers are comparatively often able to motivate young people to participate voluntarily in the training.
Thanks to their experience in working with young people who are at risk of or oriented towards far-right extremism, the trainers from Distanz e.V. relieve the youth club team. They are able to offer the young woman appropriate support and also assist the youth club team in the sustainable development of the organisation.
f you are interested in a Deradicalisation Training or would like further information, please contact the Centre for Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process.
More information on the BRAKE approach (PDF, approx. 1 MB)
Information brochure: Deradicalisation Trainings (PDF, approx. 2.3 MB)