We invite representatives of non-governmental organisations working on counter-radicalisation and dialogue across divides as well as dealing with local/social memory and commemoration to participate in the study visit in Norway.
The visit will take place from 3 to 7 June, 2024. It will include a 3-day stay at the Utøya Learning Center and a workshop with the ULC educators on counter-radicalisation and their experiences of commemoration. The visit is jointly organised by the Active Citizens Fund – National and Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programmes.
Teams of two people are invited to participate, representing the organisation (or the organisation and its key partner in the activities dedicated to the topic of the visit, e.g. a local institution).
During the workshop, participants will learn about the working methods and experiences of those associated with the ULC, but will also work with them on the challenges they face in their work, e.g. they can discuss the difficulties they face or plan activities together.
In the application form, please describe the specific challenges / activities / action plans related to counter-radicalisation, dialogue, local memory or commemoration that you deal with in your organisations. In the first instance, we will invite people with ideas on specific topics they would like to work on during the visit.
On 22 July 2011, a right-wing Norwegian extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utøya, mostly young people attending a Norwegian Labour Party summer youth camp. The terrorist held the view that people of different cultural backgrounds could not coexist in society, and he also spread a conspiracy theory that Europe was being slowly taken over by the Arab world.
Since 2016, the Utøya Learning Center – has been operating on site – the island’s infrastructure has been redeveloped as a centre for commemoration and education, in an effort to balance the need to commemorate and the need to live, learn and engage in new ways for a more inclusive, democratic society. Today, Utøya bears witness to why values such as tolerance, equality and diversity cannot be taken for granted, but must be promoted and practised in everyday life.
Logistics:
- The organisers of the visit cover all costs related to transport, accommodation and meals during the visit (as well as travel and possible accommodation at the place from where the flight to Oslo will take place).
- The working language of the visit is English. However, there is a possibility to use on-site translation into Polish (using headphones) – please request this in the application form.
- On Utøya, we will be staying overnight in multi-bed cottages in the compound where the tragic events of 2011 took place. (2 people per room). These cottages are not locked. Failure to agree to this condition makes it impossible to participate in the visit, as we are unable to accommodate anyone elsewhere.
How to apply
If you would like to participate in the visit, please fill in the application form available here by 15 April and we will inform you of your eligibility by 19 April 2024.
Please apply in teams of two: 2 people from each organisation, or 1 person from the organisation and 1 person representing its key partner in the activities on topics related to the visit.
One application (i.e. the completed form) should include both people representing the organisation (or the organisation and its partner).
NOTE: Completion of the form does not constitute eligibility for the visit. In the case of more applications than places available, the Organisers will select the organisations on the basis of the information provided in the application form, trying to ensure first of all the diversity of the topics they deal with.
Preliminary schedule of the visit
3.06 (Monday):
- arrival in Oslo (flight from Warsaw 7.55-9.55, with possible connection with morning flights from Krakow, Katowice, Poznan and Wroclaw)
transfer to Utøya - guided tour of the island
- overnight stay on Utøya
4-5.06:
- workshops with the Utøya Learning Centre educators
- overnight on Utøya
6.06 (Thursday):
- wrap-up session of the visit
- transfer to Oslo
- visit to Nobel Peace Centre or other institution related to the theme of the visit
- overnight stay in Oslo
NOTE: Those needing to return to Poland on 6.06 will be able to do so on one of the evening flights:
- at 18.30 to Gdansk (arrival at 20.05)
- at 18:50 to Krakow (arrival at 20.50)
- at 19.45 to Warsaw (arrival at 21.40, with possible connection with flights to Katowice at 22.35-23.25, Poznań at 22.35-23.30 and Wrocław at 22.40-23.35)
- at 19.55 to Krakow (arrival at 22.05).
7.06 (Friday):
- return to Poland
If you have any questions about the visit – please contact the bilateral and regional co-operation coordinators: Ewa Stokłuska (Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme, ewa.stokluska@fed.org.pl, +48 720 801 013) or Anna Fedas (Active Citizens Fund – National Programme, afedas@batory.org.pl, nr tel. +48 22 536 02 41).
