Extreme Dialogue
Extreme Dialogue supports educators and young people to confront the realities of hate and extremism and how such issues might impact their lives.
Extreme Dialogue is ISD’s longest-running educational programme, reaching thousands of students, teachers, and youth workers globally since 2015. Compelling films tell the first-hand stories of former extremists and survivors of violence, accompanied by a series of interactive resources for use in formal and non-formal settings.
The resources offer a direct challenge to the increasing volume of extremist material and propaganda online, providing a human face for why people can become radicalised and the consequences of their actions. By creating a safe space to discuss the drivers for and pathways out of extremism, the programme helps confront issues which are often ignored or considered too sensitive to broach.
We want to remove the stigma and create an inclusive framework where young people and teachers can feel confident exploring their views. Extreme Dialogue centres on the testimony of real people, told in their own words, raw and unscripted. We believe this is the most powerful way to challenge stereotypes, debunk reductive labels around ‘heroes and villains’, and emphasise the profound impacts of extremism on people’s lives.
Witnesses include:
- a former member of the extreme far-right in Canada
- a mother whose son was killed fighting for ISIS in Syria
- a youth worker and former refugee from Somalia
- a former member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) whose father was killed by the IRA
- a former member of the banned UK Islamist group al-Muhajiroun
- a Syrian refugee now living in Berlin
- a member of a Roma community in Hungary targeted by far-right demonstrations.
‘Extreme Dialogue’ is an excellent programme which enables schools to develop the critical thinking skills essential for young people today. The high quality resources help teachers to engage in useful and constructive dialogue with students even in a sphere where emotions, opinions and knowledge can be varied.Alan Fraser, Assistant Head Teacher, Cranford Community College
All content is freely available on the project website in English, French, German and Hungarian.
Since its inception, Extreme Dialogue has been funded by Public Safety Canada (including via the Kanishka Project), and co-funded by the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union.
ISD continues to partner with film-makers duckrabbit, the Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence (CPRLV), and the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation to develop materials and bring the programme to new contexts worldwide. In Europe the programme is supported by project partners West London Initiative (UK), Cultures Interactive (Germany), and Political Capital (Hungary).
ISD’s Education team
Jennie King
Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy
Sina Laubenstein
Director of Programs, ISD Germany
Sina Laubenstein
Director of Programs, ISD Germany
Nathalie Rücker
Senior Manager, Capacity Building & Civic Action, ISD Germany
Nathalie Rücker
Senior Manager, Capacity Building & Civic Action, ISD Germany
Hanna Börgmann
Educator at the Business Council for Democracy, ISD Germany
Hanna Börgmann
Educator at the Business Council for Democracy, ISD Germany
Iris Boyer
Senior Advisor, ISD France