Our Vision
The Resilience in Unity Project was founded during the COVID-19 Pandemic, in response to the increased risks arising from extremist activity online. We officially publicly launched in Nov. 2021, with the support of Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, General The Lord Dannatt, and Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes. Working towards this goal of combatting extremism through the use of lived experience, we have three key objectives.
Amplify.
The amplification of the voices and testimonies of victims of terrorism and those formerly radicalised. Through this goal, we help to humanise the victims of terrorism and those with experience of radicalistion, providing an incredibly strong opposition to the narratives spread by terror revisionists, sympathisers, and recruiters by demonstrating the realities of human suffering caused by these attacks.
Educate.
Through the amplification of these testimonies, we seek to educate wider society on the risks from terrorism, how to recognise the potential warning signs of radicalisation, and provide a resource for those aiming to counter the spread of hate and division in our communities. By organising difficult conversations with young people across the world, we want to educate and equip the next generation of leaders with the skills to challenge hatred and violent extremism.
Advocate.
None of our work would be possible, without the trust and support of the incredible individuals with whom we work. For victims and formers to feel capable of sharing their stories and engaging in counter-extremism work, they need to be supported and enabled with the resources to do so. As part of our work, we advocate on behalf of victims and formers, campaigning for improvements to national security legislation to keep society safe from the threat of terrorism.
How we do it.
The Resilience in Unity Project seeks to achieve a dual aim influenced directly by, and in response to, the increased risk from extremist activity online during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Working towards this goal, we have three key objectives.
By working with existing victim associations and campaigning groups around the world, we give survivors and those bereaved by acts of terrorism an opportunity to tell their story in a safe and secure manner in the presence of a fellow survivor and without fear of judgement. All interviews are pre-recorded to give participants an opportunity to re-do any sections that they are unhappy with, and all proposed questions are sent over in advance in order to allow time to prepare.
We’re always open to working with individuals and organisations from around the world so if you’ve been affected by an act of terrorism, or work to support victims in your country, then get in touch now for the opportunity to record your testimony. We record those bereaved, injured, or witness to acts of terrorism, in addition to first responders, anywhere around the world.
Collaboration
Once we’ve recorded testimonies, we give all those of involved an opportunity to come along to one of our in-person events and share their story with an audience of young people. We conduct outreach with Police, practitioners, civil servants, and education providers in order to facilitate the use of these testimonials on the frontlines of combatting extremism.
Example lesson plans have been created in the Resources section of the site, and we are always open to suggestions on how else the stories of people with lived experience of terrorism can be incorporated into preventing and countering radicalisation. Get in touch to let us know if you use the resources on this site as it is incredibly beneficial towards monitoring our effectiveness.
