Community perceptions of radicalisation and violent extremism: an Australian perspective

This paper discusses selected findings and implications of a recent qualitative Australian study, Community and Radicalisation, focusing on grassroots community and government perspectives about what radicalisation and violent extremism mean for Australian communities a decade after 11 September. The key aims of the study were to identify how communities understand the meanings of and relationship between radicalisation and extremism; to explore community perceptions of the underlying drivers for radicalisation and extremism; the perceived impact of radicalisation and violent extremism on sense of community and social harmony and cohesion; and to investigate community approaches to and solutions for eliminating or reducing the threat of violent extremism in Australia in order to inform and support effective policy and strategy development around countering radicalisation and extremism in Australia. The study's findings suggest that a broad national sample of 542 participants were reasonably confident that Australia is in a good position to meet and address some of the continuing challenges presented by the threats of radicalisation and violent extremism to a peaceful and open democratic society. However, a range of strategies and solutions were identified that help focus attention on what work still needs to be done and what innovations may be needed to stay abreast of a social and political environment that is dynamic, fluid, occasionally volatile and still working towards broadscale resilience and social cohesion in Australian contexts.