Tackling hate speech and violent extremism
Fabrice Teicher has been researching conspiracy theories, hate speech and extremism for over 25 years, with a particular focus on the convergence of extremist ideologies.
Since January 2016, we have been developing regular programmes to prevent and combat extremism, aimed at individuals under judicial supervision and the professionals who support them.
OUR CLIENTS
Internationally:
Fabrice Teicher is a member of the following networks
International expertise
We regularly act as experts on countering violent extremism for UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the European Commission
Examples of projects
UNESCO
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Delivering and facilitating capacity-building seminars on the prevention of violent extremism and anti-Semitism in education (Venice, Almaty, Paris, Luxembourg, etc.)
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Authoring of four thematic guides on the prevention of violent extremism: conspiracy theories, anti-migrant rhetoric, anti-Semitism, and discrimination against Muslims.
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Development of a guide for UNESCO experts on the Prevention of Violent Extremism to prepare them to speak at UNESCO seminars (internal document)
Council of Europe
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Expert on the advisory board of the DEMRED initiative run by the Council of Europe’s Education Department and the Wergeland European Centre. Training sessions on Utøya for teachers from various European countries.
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Speaker at regional conferences on PVE
RAN – Radicalisation Awareness Network
Member of the network from 2016 to 2025; expert for the network from 2020 to 2025. Evaluation of four programmes in Finland and Belgium.
APCEIU (Asia Pacific Center for Education and International Understanding)
Online courses on the GCED Online Campus platform
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Critical Media Literacy, over 2,600 students from around the world
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Preventing Hate Speech, an annual course since 2021, 60 places per year
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Updating the French-language section of the www.gcedclearinghouse.org platform (resources, news, etc.)
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Running workshops and speaking at international conferences (Seoul, Tashkent)
ASSESSMENT AND CARE OF PATIENTS
Since January 2016, we have been carrying out assessments and providing support for individuals under the supervision of the justice system on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MLRV, DAP, SPIP, PJJ): men and women, in open and closed settings, adults and minors, across 10 departments: (01, 75, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 69, 35 and 36). Group and individual support.
OUR COURSES
We offer training courses for professionals dealing with the rise of racism, antisemitism and radicalisation (teachers, civil servants, social workers, policy-makers) in France and internationally, covering issues related to conspiracy theories, hate speech, antisemitism and radicalisation, including the convergence of extremist groups.
These training courses are aimed at a wide audience: staff from the Ministry of Justice, educators and social workers, teachers, local government officials, media and cultural professionals, representatives of civil society organisations, businesses and public decision-makers. They are run in partnership with major institutions (the Ministry of Justice, UNESCO, the Shoah Memorial, local authorities, international companies) and delivered across numerous regions in France, Europe, Africa, Central Asia and East Asia.
Pedagogical approach:
The training sessions alternate between theoretical input and practical exercises (role-plays). We always take the group as our starting point and tailor the programme to the situations encountered by the participants. The day is enriched by feedback from the trainer, who has been working in the field for over 10 years.
Conspiracy theories and the mechanisms of extreme thinking
To understand the mechanisms behind the development of conspiracy theories, the role played by the internet, and how they spread on social media. To identify the links between conspiracy theories and radicalisation, and to develop indicators for monitoring young people. To discover tools and practices for monitoring, analysing and debunking conspiracy theories. The training emphasises the analysis of the stages leading from conspiracy theories to the commission of violent acts.
Anti-Semitism and violent extremism
To understand how contemporary anti-Semitic prejudices are formed and spread, where they originate (distribution networks, but also ideological roots), and the role the internet plays in their dissemination on social media. Taking a historical perspective, the training sheds light on the contemporary context of competing victimhood narratives, the convergence of extremist views, and the impact of the war in Gaza on manifestations of antisemitism.
Convergence of extremes
Understanding the links and alliances between different extremist ideologies (political and religious): how ideas, discourses, and indeed individuals, can move from one side to the other; how they reinforce one another; and how they form alliances in France and Europe, particularly since the 1990s. This course takes a cross-cutting approach to strategies of alliance centred on common enemies, phenomena of mutual reinforcement (accelerationism) and strategies of de-demonisation (reversal of values, use of youth culture codes), primarily between right-wing and left-wing extremism, fundamentalist Catholics and Islamists.
Strengthening one’s professional approach when dealing with radicalised groups
To strengthen a shared and individual approach amongst different professionals and disciplines when dealing with radicalised individuals, taking into account each person’s distinct roles and working context, as well as their own subjective perspectives and the impact of this work.