CRSP Talk

Combating Violent Extremism: from policy to practice

Episode Summary

Join us on CRSP Talk as we unravel the complexities of violent extremism in Canada with our esteemed guests, psychologist Ghayda Hassan and social work expert David Yuzva Clement. In this episode, we discuss the growing threat of far-right hate groups, fueled by social polarization and the powerful influence of social media. Ghayda and David provide valuable insights into how online platforms act as catalysts, enhancing extremist outreach and fostering dangerous ideologies. They stress the critical need for both online and offline prevention strategies, particularly highlighting the alarming vulnerability of children to extremist content and the importance of creating a comprehensive approach to counteract this pressing issue.

Episode Notes

(00:07) Understanding Violent Extremism in Canada

(09:57) Preventing Violent Extremism Through Research

(26:28) Understanding Online Harm's Impact and Policy
 

A thank you to our guests for this episode:

Dr. Ghayda Hassan is a clinical psychologist and professor of clinical psychology at UQAM university in Montreal and has several research, clinical and community based national and international affiliations. She is the director of the Canadian Practitioner Network for the Prevention of Radicalization and Extremist Violence funded by PS Canada and a UNESCO co-chair in Prevention of Radicalization and Extremist Violence. She currently sits as the Chair of the Independent Advisory Committee of the Global Internet Forum for Countering Terrorism. She is a member of the RCMP Management Advisory Board and was a member of the expert advisory group on online safety at the ministry of Canadian Heritage. She is a researcher and senior clinical consultant for the SHERPA subteam Research and Action on Radicalisation and Social Suffering at the CIUSSS Center in Montreal.

Dr. David Yuzva Clement is an adjunct research professor and contract lecturer in the School of Social Work, Carleton University (Canada), associate fellow at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (Netherlands), co-founder of the inter-faith peace initiative Bonn (Germany), and research advisor at the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada). David’s research focuses on examining the nexus between social work and preventing and countering violent extremism, advancing knowledge on children, youth, and families who are affected by violent extremism and extremist ideologies, as well as the interplay between community organizing, civic education, and democracy.

Dr. Bree Akesson was the executive producer for this episode. 

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