Web Talk Series “Targeted Places – Local Strategies for Dealing with Islamist and Racist Violence”

As part of the RADIS funding program, a new web talk series entitled “Targeted Places – Local Strategies for Dealing with Islamist and Racist Violence” will launch in November 2025. The series will focus on how Islamist and racist attacks not only affect individuals, but also shatter community life and social cohesion at the local level. In addition to stirring up insecurity and fear in public spaces, such attacks also mobilize enemy stereotypes and polarize the social climate. The emotional, social, and political effects of such acts of violence extend far beyond those directly affected.

How do civil society and municipal actors deal with the consequences of this violence? What local strategies are emerging to address collective trauma, uncertainty, and social polarization? How are those affected supported and how is remembrance organized? And which structures have proven effective after such events and can serve as preventive approaches for other cities?

These questions are addressed in the web talk series from the perspective of local actors. The aim is to gather experiences that can be used both in prevention approaches and in acute crisis situations. After all, places that have been the target of Islamist or racist attacks are in need of new forms of solidarity, remembrance, and cooperation.

The event series is primarily aimed at civil society actors, local government employees, and local politicians, with the aim of sharing experiences, outlining challenges, and exploring possible courses of action.

First web talks:

November 11, 2025 | 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Traumaland: Eine Spuren­suche in deutscher Vergangen­heit und Gegen­wart
With Asal Dardan (author)
Moderators: Sakina Abushi and Judith de Santis (ufuq.de)

December 2, 2025 | 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Am Tag danach. Erfahrungen des Opfer­beauftragten nach dem Anschlag in Hanau
With Robert Erkan (mediator and coach, former municipal victim counselor for the city of Hanau)
Moderators: Götz Nordbruch (ufuq.de) and Lars Schäfer (RADIS)

December 16, 2025 | 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Nach dem Anschlag in Magde­burg – Resonanz­straftaten und migrantische Perspektiven
With Aras Badr (LAMSA e.V.) and Saeed Saeed
Moderators: Manuela Freiheit (IKG, RADIS) and Lars Schäfer (VPN, RADIS)

Further dates tba.
The web talks are held in German. Register via RADIS website.