Countering Extremism and Building Trust: A successful dialogue event held in Birmingham

Local leaders and experts gathered to discuss the critical role of civil society in promoting safety and cohesion.

The Dialogue Society, known for its work in fostering understanding and collaboration across communities, hosted a panel discussion titled “Countering Extremism and Building Trust: The Crucial Role of Civil Society” on November 6 at The Exchange Building, University of Birmingham.

The event brought together influential speakers, community leaders, and members of the public to explore solutions for combating extremism and strengthening community resilience. The panel was chaired by Sean Arbuthnot, Prevent Manager at Birmingham City Council, who has significant experience in counter-extremism and community safety initiatives.

Distinguished speakers:

Canon Dr. Andrew Smith, Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham, shared his extensive experience in interfaith work and community building.
Sean Arbuthnot, in addition to chairing the panel, highlighted his work on managing initiatives that enhance public safety and promote inclusivity.
Dr. Martin Glynn, senior lecturer in criminology at Birmingham City University, sent his apologies as he was unable to attend due to unforeseen commitments.
Rani Gundhu QPM, the longest-serving officer in West Midlands Police, brought an inspiring perspective on policing, diversity, and inclusion drawn from her nearly four decades of service.
Kerim Balci, Director of the Centre for Risale & Hizmet Studies at Respect Graduate School in the US, provided insights into dialogue and human rights work based on his extensive international experience.

Sean Arbuthnot introduced the panel, underscoring the significance of today’s discussion on extremism and trust-building. He highlighted the speakers’ diverse expertise and framed the session as a chance to explore practical solutions for fostering community resilience in divisive times.

Canon Dr. Andrew Smith, an interfaith leader since the 1990s, began by discussing his reaction to recent election news, reflecting that “we are not as engaged as we thought we are” and cautioning against societal tendencies to divide groups as “we” vs. “them.” He argued that extremism flourishes when people feel ignored and urged listeners to “take people seriously, even if you don’t agree with them.” Ending on a hopeful note, he stressed the power of listening and dismantling barriers between different groups.

Sean Arbuthnot shared insights from Birmingham’s community projects, including anti-extremism workshops with youth. He spoke of the “growing importance of digital resilience” in combating online extremism. Acknowledging financial pressures, he highlighted a recent grant for Birmingham that will support projects to strengthen community trust, noting that this funding is vital given the city's economic challenges.

Starting with a research in India, Kerim Balci emphasized the need for meaningful community interaction to reduce prejudice. He cited examples of communities bridging divides by sharing meals and celebrating together, noting that “one-on-one contact” makes the real difference. Conventional approaches, he argued, are less effective, calling instead for initiatives like Dialogue Society’s cultural exchange programs to foster understanding and connection.

Rani Gundhu QPM reflected on her career in policing and the positive strides made toward gender and ethnic equality in the force. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity from an early age, stating, “People cannot unlearn decades of beliefs in one day.” She highlighted initiatives to connect with diverse communities and underscored the need for persistence, noting, “Trust and honesty must be paramount in policing.”

Rani encouraged valuing all community members, stressing that diversity brings creativity and knowledge essential for building trust.Each speaker underscored the need for authentic, sustained engagement to counter extremism and cultivate trust across diverse groups. Their insights emphasized how small acts of understanding and connection can strengthen communities and foster resilience.

The panel was followed by a Q&A session where the audience had the opportunity to pose questions, sparking further dialogue on effective community strategies and collaboration.

The event concluded with closing remarks, leaving participants inspired and motivated to take part in collective efforts for building trust within their communities.

The Dialogue Society extends its gratitude to all speakers, attendees, and partners who made this event a success.

For more information about future events and initiatives by the Dialogue Society, please visit dialoguesociety.org or follow @dialoguesociety on all social media platforms.

Founded to promote understanding and cooperation, the Dialogue Society works on projects that bring people from different backgrounds together to foster peace and community resilience.