The Brussels International Center (BIC) supports EU's policies that foster social diversity and inclusion by engaging with members of the police and religious leaders, in various EU cities and municipalities.
BIC, in collaboration with EDARA and St. Philip’s Centre (UK) will host a roundtable meeting with representatives from the Cops Communities Consent (CCC) project on 5 and 6 July 2022 at its Brussels Office. The meeting will serve as a platform to foster collaboration between the police and black & ethnic minorities (BAME)/faith communities, share best practices and engage with international partners. It will further propagate - both locally and supra-locally- the EU's core values such as democracy, participation and diversity.
A special delegation from the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium will be present at PZA Antwerp and Brussels where civil society, police officers, youth, women and religious leaders of faith communities will come together for a roundtable debate.
On Day 1, participants will gather at PZA Antwerp to start discussions on how to improve diversity within the security sector, especially in the police. On Day 2, Brahim Laytouss, Head of the BIC Avera department will present BIC's main activities on the prevention of violent extremism and radicalisation over the past year and share best practices to participants.
Overall, the two-days meetings will intend to:
1) Shape diversity policies within the security sector, especially the police and how to improve communication between the security sector and community leaders
2) Enable Police and communities to work as partners in ‘real life’ situations
3) Create structures, protocols and platforms for long-lasting relationships
4) Improve perceptions of the Police in faith communities
5) Develop a ‘KINs’ (Key individual Networks) for dialogue between the police and faith leaders
The CCC project is a project that aspires to develop an integrated approach and better coordination in different European cities between the security sector and faith community leaders.