Comparing two different contexts and approaches to P/CVE policies: Italy and Netherlands

ABSTRACT

Based on in-depth qualitative research, this paper compares and contrasts two different policy approaches to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) within the European context. On the one hand, the Dutch case relies on a holistic and integrated approach in which a national framework underlies a targeted multi-stakeholder approach to preventing and countering manifestations of violent extremism. On the other hand, while lacking an overarching national policy framework, the Italian case study presents a range of mechanisms and projects aimed at combating violent extremism at the local level. The paper traces the different histories of terrorism and radicalization in the two countries to assess the emergence of these divergent approaches. Subsequently, regional case studies of the Delft and Milan areas are explored in-depth to illustrate how the respective policies are put into action, and to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. The research is based on expert interviews and institutional research involving municipalities, education, social work, and civil society actors.

KEYWORDS:

• P/CVE
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Milan
• Delft
• violent extremism
• radicalization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Janse (2005) discusses the Dutch government’s reasons for changes in its approach on CT since 9/11, which was seen as a ‘new phenomenon’, posing an unprecedented security threat to society, in more detail, in his article ‘Fighting terrorism in the Netherlands, a historical perspective’.

2 Other names could be used for the same phenomenon we refer here to as ‘jihadist’, which falls in the category of religious extremism. We make use of this specific term as it is the one that Dutch policymakers on P/CVE mostly use. It must be noted that within Islam, jihadism is about one’s efforts for God, and can have various meanings, including the ‘inner jihad’, which is about one’s inner struggle to live as a good Muslim, the struggle to build a good Muslim society, and the violent struggle to defend Islam. Indeed, jihadists as described in the current paper have broadened the last term to include not only defensive, but also offensive deeds, also outside of Muslim countries and, about 300 Dutch youth traveled to Syria and Iraq, and joined various groups including Islamic State (AIVD, 2018).

3 Nota 2003 Terrorisme en de bescherming van de Samenleving.

4 Nota 2003 Terrorisme en de bescherming van de Samenleving.

5 The Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, the Minister of Justice and Security, the Minister of Health, Wellbeing and Sports and the Minister for Primary- and Secondary Education and Media.

6 Activities include the analysis of local phenomenon; the individual approach to radicalizing persons; building a network of persons and NGO’s involved in picking up signals on potential radicalization; capacity building of various professionals active in the local integral approach; prevention activities in the environment of the persons radicalizing; evaluation of activities related to countering radicalization and extremism (Ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie, 2020).

7 The course was organised from October 2018 consisting of 5 meetings – of 3 h to Wednesday 11 November.

8 Starting from the autumn of 2015, an organizational model was strengthened with the aim of encouraging the training of teachers in Lombardy, of awareness-raising initiatives aimed at the school community, in particular parents, and the consolidation of competent intervention procedures. For this reason, a referent teacher at regional level has been identified in coordination with a referent teacher for each UU.SS.TT as well as with the Postal and Communications Police, the Lombardy Co.re.com, the Universities and associations competent in the matter. All this with the aim of guaranteeing capillary actions throughout the region and the identification of particularly effective training models.

9 Interview, 1920th April 2021.

10 In the field of P/CVE, primary prevention is generally understood as prevention focused on individuals not at risk of radicalization into violent extremism. The goal of primary prevention is to prevent processes of radicalization before they have even started, and it targets broad populations. Secondary prevention is targeted towards populations or groups who have been identified as vulnerable to radicalization, and focuses on individuals who may be susceptible to extremist messaging but have not yet exhibited signs of violence. Tertiary prevention involves disengagement or deradicalization of individuals and groups who have committed acts of violent extremism or who have joined a violent extremism group.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pina Sodano

Pina Sodano, a Ph.D in political science (SPS/07) from the Doctoral School, curriculum in European and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, University of “Roma Tre”. He is a research fellow for the Horizon2020 project “PARTICIPATION. Analyzing and Preventing Extremism Via Participation” (Grant Agreement 962547).

Claudia Annovi

Claudia Annovi is a Ph.D. candidate in sociology and applied social research at Sapienza University. Her work and research focus on violent extremism, conspiracy theories, and jihadist radicalization. She has worked for three years as Head of Terrorism and Radicalization Unit at CeSI (Centro Studi Internazionali), a Rome-based think tank. She obtained her MA in International Relations (MENA Politics) from the University of Turin, and her Bachelor's from Ca' Foscari University (main languages: Arabic and Persian).

Jeanne Abdulla

Jeanne Abdulla is the Director of Programmes, Human Security Collective, Riviervismarkt 4, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Mark Hann

Mark Hann is a Programme Manager, Human Security Collective, Riviervismarkt 4, The Hague, The Netherlands.