A success story
We share with you a living source of inspiration that is dedicated to the community with a lot of passion and devotion. She likes to say about herself that she is the good policeman who is present to actively listen to the needs, the problems and to offer guidance to the citizens.
Felicia Hrihorisan is a Police Commissioner, Head of the School Safety Bureau at the Satu Mare County Police Inspectorate and an active volunteer within the GRAB – Support group for women who have experienced abuse – Satu Mare. She has been and currently is involved in the implementation of many projects to prevent and counter violence, and directly focuses on projects aimed at countering violence against women and sexual violence. She organized the Campaign “Invisible Violence – Causes, Consequences and Solutions to Violence Against Women” – where she won the first prize at the Romanian Youth Gala 2019 – non-formal section.
What she wants is for the collective mindset on how women are perceived to be changed, namely equal rights and for them to be treated with respect. And stereotypes about female victims of violence, such as “she deserves it” “has a big mouth” and “it’s her fault” to be eliminated.
Here you can read more about Felicia’s story.
* Action implemented within the CEAR project.
INDEED: A Major Step Forward for the PVE/CVE Field
On the 21st and 22nd of September, the 19 partners of the INDEED project met in Warsaw, Poland for the “Kick-Off” meeting launching the project. INDEED will be a 36 month project supported by the European Commission to improve evaluation and learning in preventing and countering violent extremism. Funded through the Commission’s ‘Horizon 2020’ funding line, the INDEED project represents one of the most important initiatives to date to improve how evaluation and learning are done in the PVE/CVE field.
The project consortium includes leading think tanks, institutes, universities and law enforcement agencies across Europe.
PATRIR is proud to be one of the members of the INDEED project. The Institute will be active across all aspects of the project, including in the organization of policy and practitioners forums bringing together policy makers, practitioners, academics and experts from across Europe; creating a new ‘podcast’ channel where we will hold exciting discussions with leading practitioners and experts in the field; creation of ‘Smarthubs’ and Communities of Practice linking front-line practitioners and improving collaboration in the field; and much more.
The Project Director at PATRIR will be Kai Brand-Jacobsen, President of the Institute. He’s joined by PATRIR Researchers Dana Dolghin and Isabella Pirlogea.
Partners in the INDEED Project include: Polish Platform for Homeland Security (CSO2); The Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania (PATRIR); VUB Institute for European Studies; Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime Research Sheffield Hallam University (CENTRIC); the University of Helsinki; the European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS); the Vienna Centre for Societal Security; DEEP BLUE; TRANSFORM; ITTI; Local Police Rupel; Police Police Regional Police Headquarters – Gdansk; Hellenic Police; Riga Municipal Police; Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs – Federal State of Bremen; Centre for Security Studies – Ministry of Citizen Protection; General Directorate Execution of Sentences (Prison and Probation Service); Madrid Municipal Police; Qualify Just – IT Solutions and Consulting
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“The INDEED project is an incredibly important step forward for the field. There is very little proper evaluation and learning done on preventing and countering violent extremism projects and policies in Europe – little effort to really understand what’s working, what isn’t working and why, and what we need to do better. INDEED will seek to address this challenge, working directly with practitioners and experts across Europe, building communities of practice, consolidating and driving forward practical knowledge and understanding of how to do evaluation – and just as importantly how to translate the learning from evaluations into improved policy and practice in the field.” Kai Brand-Jacobsen, President, PATRIR
Polarisation, radicalisation and discrimination with focus on Central and Eastern Europe – Publication
The polarisation of society has now become a buzzword that is hardly missing from any political analysis. Trump, the Brexit, migration and the flight movement from the South to Europe, which has almost been pushed into the background again, also globalisation and climate change, and the Corona pandemic, which has been going on for a year now … In all these topic areas, a very fundamental polarisation of positionings is indeed emerging, which overshadows intermediate tones.
The focus of the issue on “Polarisation, Radicalisation and Discrimination in Europe” focuses in particular on the situation in Central and Eastern Europe in the practice of prevention and intervention in the field of democracy education, group-focused enmity and right-wing extremism. Contributors to this issue include those who have been working on-the-ground in the countries, as members of civil society organisations with a sharp and trained eye; those who work in municipalities, schools and extracurricular education as “fighters on the front line” (first-line practitioners, FLPs for short, e.g. teachers, social workers, NGOs, police) on a daily basis in regular structures, in training courses, and workshops as well as in counselling; and have in-depth insights and experience of the challenges, barriers and attempts at solutions.
The publication can be read and downloaded here
This special issue has been produced within the Champions Project.
PATRIR, the Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania, stands in solidarity with and supports local peacebuilders active in Afghanistan, at this difficult time. PATRIR staff has actively participated in work on democratization, inclusion and pluralism in Afghanistan and knows, first hand, the lengths that these actors had to go to achieve dialogue, mediation, cover basic education and health needs, sometimes against all odds and operating outside the protection of the international community. As an organization working on mediation and postconflict recovery, we know their work is irreplaceable.
We stand with the international community when urging the new regime to respect basic human and civic rights and to support the advancements of women in girls in science, education, administration and the private sector. We are aware that most local NGO workers, peacebuilders, mediators would like to continue their work. But for those opting to leave the country, we urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Romanian Government to expedite the visa process and any humanitarian assistance needed. The Romanian state, as the international community, has the “responsibility to protect” those whose lives are threatened by their own governments. Learn more information here.
PATRIR, Institutul Român pentru Pace, își exprimă solidaritatea și sprijinul pentru colegii noștri și cetățenii din Afganistan care au activat timp de două decenii la nivelul comunității locale pentru a construi un spațiu democrat și incluziv, pentru a garanta drepturile femeilor, tinerilor și dialogul interetnic și pentru a redresa efectele deceniilor de violență (cu cauze deseori independente de voința lor)., De-a lungul anilor, ca instituție care lucrează în mediere și facilitarea procesului de pace, prevenirea violenței și radicalizării, pentru drepturile femeilor și pace și stabilizare postconflict am lucrat împreună pentru reclădirea Afganistanului. În acest moment, suntem alături de acești actori uneori puțin cunoscuți și vizibili, care reușesc să intervină acolo unde alte organizații nu au acces și sprijină comunitățile să găsească soluții împreună.
PATRIR și comunitatea națională și internațională de lucrători în domeniul păcii nu poate să-și abandoneze colegii. Știm că mulți dintre cei menționați mai sus nu doresc să părăsească țara și continuă să activeze la nivel comunitar. Însă, facem apel la organizațiile naționale competente să pună în practică forme de asistență umanitară pentru cei care doresc să plece pentru că se simt amenințați. Dorim ca Ministerul Afacerilor Externe și Guvernul României să accelereze în regim de urgență procesul de acordare de vize tuturor celor implicați în operațiuni de cultivare și menținere a păcii din cadrul societății afgane care doresc să părăsească țara. De asemenea, invităm instituțiile responsabile din cadrul administrației să fie transparente în privința măsurilor propuse, să se consulte cu parteneri din societatea civilă, presă și organizații internaționale umanitare și să participe activ la eforturile internaționale de mediere a crizei umanitare. Pentru mai multe informații puteți accesa acest link.
Tackling radicalization and extremism through online tools – Launching ALERT, ARENA and Training Yard
CHAMPIONs is launching new online tools to support practitioners who work in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism. The online tools are embedded in the FirstLinePractitioners.com website which functions as a knowledge hub and networking platform for teachers, social workers, NGOs, researchers and local governments. Learn more information here.
How to design and carry out Social Labs in the context of analyzing and preventing extremism?
We are thrilled to introduce Social Labs, an innovative holistic approach to co-create findings, tools and solutions toward the analysis and intervention in the field of extremism, polarization and radicalization. Within the framework of the PARTICIPATION project, Social Labs are central spaces for the analysis of existing experiences and the formulation of future actions and activities to promote the uptake of social inclusion as a key factor to address radicalization. Learn more about it here.
Public Exhibition “Parteneriate Clujene”, June 1-15, Central Park of Cluj-Napoca
Join the 16 days campaign of activism against gender-based violence
PATRIR would like to invite organizations, institutions and companies from Cluj to join the “16 days campaign of activism against gender-based violence“. The campaign is a strong global commitment inspired by women, men, girls, boys, companies, civic organizations, public institutions, media partners, human rights activists, academia, and more – working together to increase awareness-raising in society and globally, in order to make practical changes to overcome and end all forms of gender-based violence. The campaign also encourages the participation of women and girls in all categories of society. This is an initiative based on inclusion and collaboration, co-developed by key actors in Cluj-Napoca, but also nationally.
You can learn more about how to get involved here: English | Romanian.
Cluj Collaboration Magazine: April – May Edition
Each month, “Cluj Collaboration” brings you information about events in Cluj, Europe and around the world, as well as updates on future events, their reports and news about current projects, courses and conferences that may be of interest. This edition also contains two interviews with our partners! The magazine can be widely distributed – including to colleagues and partners – and is intended to help improve the exchange of information. We hope that this newsletter will be of interest and that you will enjoy reading it! You can read the 5th edition by accessing this link.
#EUPrevent – European Conference on Preventing Polarization & Violent Radicalization: Strengthening Resilience, Fostering Innovation, Consolidating Lessons & Pioneering New Frontiers
Between 26-29 April 2021, specialists from across Europe on issues such as social polarisation, extremism and radicalisation, met at the European Conference on Preventing Polarization & Violent Radicalization: Strengthening Resilience, Fostering Innovation, Consolidating Lessons & Pioneering New Frontiers. The event was co-organized by six European Commission-funded projects ending in 2021: Rhizome against Polarization, CHAMPIONs, YoungRes, WayOut, ARMOUR and BRIDGE.
PATRIR and the CHAMPIONs project were represented in several sessions, especially focusing on initiatives in Cluj on youth well-being, inclusive education and equal opportunities as pilot projects to prevent social polarization and extremism. The ALERT / ARENA platform was also presented as a sustainable option for locating and reacting to cases of urban extremism in Romania, Hungary, Poland and Germany. You can learn more about the outcomes of the event here.
Cluj Forum 2021 | 18 – 19 May 2021
Between May 18-19, 2021, PATRIR, in partnership with over 15 non-governmental institutions and organizations, organises “Cluj Forum 2021”, a platform for debate on experiences and perspectives, successful initiatives and good practices for issues community of young people in Cluj. The event will take place online for two days, and aims to create a context that brings together the most relevant social actors in the field of inclusive education and youth well-being, through workshops for beneficiaries, discussions with the public and presentations. The main language of the event is Romanian, but there are also sessions in English.
You can register and learn more about the event on this page. You can also visit the Facebook Event.
Shaping the Future of Europe: Youth Summit Event | 13th of May 2021
PATRIR would like to invite you to the “Shaping the Future of Europe: Youth Summit” event that will take place on the 13th of May 2021. Shaping the Future of Europe is an online Youth Summit bringing together youth, youth organisations and organisations working with youth from across Europe and around the world. The Youth Summit will provide a platform for youth organisations and youth engaging across the continent to shape the future of Europe and bring forward their voices and their solutions on the most significant challenges facing us in Europe and in the world today. The Summit will be highly interactive, dynamic and engaging – with presentations, interactive sessions, and hearing from some of the most dedicated and inspiring youth working in their communities, nationally and internationally. The event is organised as part of the Shaping the Future of Europe Initiative of the Do One Brave Thing project.
You can register and learn more about the event on its official website.
“The Other Side of the Story: Perpetrators in Change” Project
One of our main partners in Cluj, The Social and Medical Services Directorate (DASM), is currently implementing a European project together with the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family – APHVF, Cyprus, as Coordinator, and its partners, Bournemouth University (BU)- United Kingdom, Centro di Ascolto Uomini Maltrattanti Onlus- CAM, Italy, The Union of Women Associations of Heraklion Prefecture (UWAH), Greece, and European Knowledge Spot, Greece. The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020).
The aim of the OSSPC project is to prevent further domestic violence and change violent behavioral patterns by increasing the capacity of frontline workers that will further teach perpetrators of domestic violence to adopt non-violent behavior in interpersonal relationships and understand the impact of domestic violence on them, family and community.
You can learn more about it by reading these documents: Press Release 1 | Press Release 2 | Newsletter 1 | Newsletter 2
Redirect 3.5% of income tax and contribute to our work!
Every year, PATRIR, through its projects, strives to promote and strengthen democracy, to increase the well-being of communities, to promote gender equality, opportunities, security and innovation, but also initiate initiatives against radicalization, extremism and hatred, both at the level of locally as well as internationally. Contribute to this change, helping to fulfil our mission, by redirecting the 3.5% of income tax! You can find out more about the steps to follow here.
STIRE – Supporting the Integration of the Resettled
Activity Report
The overall objective of STIRE is to foster the resettlement process by contributing to the social and cultural support (prior to departure and after the arrival) of the resettled, by facilitating capacity building activities in the receiving communities and by enhancing cooperation and partnership between resettled and host communities in Austria, Croatia, Italy, Ireland, Romania and Slovenia. The report of the project is now available online. This report is summarising the activities and events hosted in the second year of STIRE implementation, mainly between January 2020 – January 2021. This report is summarising the activities and events hosted in the second year of STIRE implementation, mainly between January 2020 – January 2021.
You can find the report here.
Dearest Friends and Colleagues Around the World,
2021 is upon us. We begin it with energy, inspiration and dedication.
Our world today is facing many challenges – armed conflicts, demagoguery, challenges to good governance, the global environmental crisis, attacks on the rights of women, rising extremism, fake news and hate and much more. Read here our commitment for 2021!
#16Stories Initiative – 16 Days Women Empower Cluj Campaign
This year, PATRIR, in collaboration with more than 40 institutions, organisations and companies, organised several activities as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence International campaign, that took place from the 25th of November until 10th of December. One of the initiatives as part of the campaign is the #16stories by Women Empower Forum 2020. The initiative brings together stories of determined women across Romania that are empowering all of us to contribute to the elimination of violence against women and the promotion of women’s rights. You can find all the stories here!
We joined the Cluj Education Cluster!
We are very proud to be a member of the Cluj Education Cluster, together with the City Hall of Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania College, the Cluj School Inspectorate and more. Cluj has always been about collaboration, inclusion, and coming together to do better together. For this reason, a superb initiative bringing together educational actors in Cluj was created in order to work to improve education for all children and youth – and hopefully through to adult education as well. Find out more information about it here.
PeaceTraining.eu
Looking for the most interesting training providers, courses or trainers on Conflict Prevention and Peace Building?
PATRIR was a partner in this project. Have a look at the website peacetraining.eu.
Peacebuilding Interview: Kai Brand-Jacobsen
Peace Magazine Editor Metta Spencer interviews PATRIR Director of the Department of Peace Operations Kai Brand-Jacobsen on ‘peacebuilding‘. Over the course of an hour this wide-ranging interview covers the critical need for peacebuilding in the world today, ways in which peacebuilding can be done on the ground, experiences in north East Nigeria and the work of organisations like Search for Common Ground, the situation in Venezuela and much more. It is a tour de force from one of the leading trainers, practitioners and scholars in the field – an introduction to peacebuilding and overview of critical issues that should be shared and seen widely. As the interview continues it becomes more and more powerful and inspiring.
Click here to watch the interview
Departments
DPO
The Department of Peace Operations works upon request from conflict parties and local, national and international organisations and agencies to support violence prevention, peacebuilding, mediation, and post-war recovery. DPO experts include practitioners, analysts, diplomats, and others.
IPDTC
The International Peace & Development Training Center is one of the world’s leading providers of training, capacity building and professional development support for practitioners, governments, UN and local, national and international organisations working in peacebuilding, prevention, and post-war peace consolidation.
NPD
The National Peace Department works for a world in which young people share their belief that their attitudes and behaviors are decisive in resolving conflicts and waging peace, a world in which they can and do act upon that belief with the beauty, creativity and enthusiasm specific to their age.
Testimonials
– Solomon Woldemichael
Civil
Affairs Officer, Unites Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
– Dr. Oana Cristina Popa
Former ambassador of Romania to Croatia
– Paul Ebikwo
Civil Affairs Officer, UNAMID, Sudan
Projects
Sponsors & Partners
Pentru informații oficiale despre granturile SEE și norvegiene accesați www.eeagrants.org
