Month: June 2025

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News Projects VANGUARD

Vanguard Project Shares Groundbreaking Anti-Trafficking Research at KU Leuven Workshop

On 16the June, researchers from the Vanguard project convened a hybrid workshop at KU Leuven University presenting the latest findings from their academic research on the prestigious Horizon Europe anti-trafficking initiative.

The workshop featured a presentation by Karen Hough from the Euro-Arab Foundation and Teresa Forlitti from Hart and Stand in the United States about their collaborative paper, “Creating sustainable models for the inclusion of lived experience experts in anti-trafficking preventative measures and policy making: insights from the Vanguard project”.

Attended by a diverse group of experts, including representatives from the European Commission, academia, and NGOs, the workshop fostered a highly productive and formative discussion. The research results were very well received, highlighting the project’s impact in the fight against human trafficking.

The Vanguard project, a European-financed initiative, is dedicated to strengthening the combat against human trafficking (THB). It achieves this by providing an improved intelligence picture, delivering an advanced and trustworthy suite of tools, and implementing innovative training activities.

Further workshops are planned in the coming months to continue sharing the project’s vital research and foster ongoing collaboration.

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EN PARTES News PARTES-COM EN Projects

PARTES Project Concludes, Evolves into PARTESS-COM

On June 16, the PARTES project culminated in its final conference in Vienna, gathering researchers, faith-community representatives, and security experts. Over its two-year duration, the project focused on protecting places of worship. It was made possible by financial support from the European Commission’s Internal Security Fund (ISF) and saw fifteen partners from ten European countries collaborate on this vital initiative.

The European Commission’s DG Home’s representative underscored the crucial role of Union Actions projects, like PARTES, in tackling transnational issues affecting the entire EU. At its core, PARTES aimed to bolster the protection of places of worship by fostering a deeper understanding of violent extremism and its potential impact. Its six key objectives included mapping threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and facilitating the exchange of best practices among diverse religious communities.

A critical aspect addressed was online threats, with a presentation by SCENOR detailing how extremist organizations exploit digital platforms to spread right-wing hate. This analysis revealed a significant shift in strategy: unlike in the past, these groups now actively conceal their true ideologies and objectives by masking their hate. This tactic allows them to evade moderation and reach a broader audience.

The project also introduced the “PARTES Guardian approach,” which prioritizes engaging faith communities and incorporating their concerns to ensure protective measures are culturally and spiritually appropriate. To further support these efforts, PARTES developed 23 “action sheets” – practical, step-by-step best practices gathered from 10 partners, covering areas like interfaith dialogues and mental health crisis guidelines. The conference concluded with acknowledgements to the dedicated team members, technicians, and security personnel who contributed to its success.

Euro-Arab Foundation Article Highlights Rising Vulnerability to Hate Crimes

During the final event of PARTES, the Euro-Arab Foundation, José Luis Salido Medina, exposed the results of his research on Extremism and Places of Worship: Analysis of Strategies and Ideological Motivations, conducted as part of the project. The article examines the increasing vulnerability of religious communities to hate crimes driven by extremist narratives. It presents findings from an analysis of 25 case studies of hate crimes and violent attacks across 13 European countries.  The research delves into the ideological and strategic characteristics of extremist groups involved, considering factors such as the perpetrator’s ideology, the nature of the attack, online/offline dimensions, and the presence of manifestos.

The final event of the PARTES project marked a significant milestone, signalling its transformation into PARTESS-COM. This evolution is a testament to the substantial work accomplished and the robust networks established during the project’s tenure.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

The Euro-Arab Foundation Addresses Misogynistic Violence and Incel Communities at International Anti-Discrimination Conference

On June 12nd, Murcia hosted the International Conference Against Underreporting of Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Organized by Columbares, this conference was a crucial event for addressing the concerning reality of low reporting rates in cases of discrimination and hate crimes.

The event’s opening featured Rosa Cano, director of Columbares, who emphasized the urgency of combating intolerance in light of the worrying underreporting data. Also present were Ana Vanesa Valero García (Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at the University of Murcia), Leopoldo Olmo Fernández-Delgado (Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Policy, Families, and Equality for the Region of Murcia), and Pilar Torres (Councillor for Social Welfare, Family, and Health for the City of Murcia). The Director-General for Family Diversity and Social Services of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, Patricia Bezunartea Barrio, participated remotely.

One of the standout presentations at the conference was given by José Luis Salido Medina, a researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation, titled “The Violent Face of Misogyny: Manosphere and Incel Communities.”

During his presentation, the researcher delved into the incel movement, exploring its origin and context within the ecosystem of misogynistic movements and the so-called “manosphere.” The talk critically addressed the intrinsic relationship between hatred and violence, examining the common elements that underlie both and how these manifest specifically in the case of incel communities. Finally, Salido offered a concise reflection on a prevention paradigm specifically applicable to addressing misogynistic movements and the incel phenomenon, highlighting the importance of proactive strategies to combat these violent ideologies.

The conference also served as the platform for the presentation of the book “Breaking the Silence.” The result of research by Columbares, the book compiles testimonies from victims of hate crimes in various contexts (public spaces, social media, homes) and addresses topics such as LGTBIfobia, aporophobia, and racism. These accounts offer deep insights into the victims’ experiences, their reporting processes, and the consequences on their daily lives.

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News Projects VANGUARD

The Euro-Arab Foundation Highlights the Role of Ethical AI in the Fight Against Human Trafficking at High-Level Conference in Malta

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies participated in the “Empowering Change: Technology and AI in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” Conference, held on June 11, 2025, in Malta. The event, organized under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, brought together experts and global leaders to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in eradicating this heinous crime.

During the conference, Karen Latricia Hough, researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation, presented the innovative Horizon Europe Vanguard project in a crucial panel titled “AI and Human Rights.” Hough’s intervention underscored Vanguard’s commitment to developing technological tools that, in addition to being highly effective, strictly adhere to legal and ethical principles.

The conference served as a vital platform for dialogue among governments, international organizations, law enforcement agencies, academia, and civil society. Key topics addressed included the use of innovative technologies to dismantle trafficking networks, the human rights implications of AI use, and the need to foster intersectoral partnerships for a more robust global response.

Among the invited speakers were Professor Siobhán Mullally, UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights; the OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking; and Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of GRETA. The conference was attended by law enforcement agents, academics, experts, and representatives from NGOs. In particular, Dr. Hough discussed how the research team is ensuring that the technological tools created in the Vanguard project align with legal and ethical requirements.

The date coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, reaffirming the commitment of member states to innovative, rights-based responses in the evolving digital environment. This landmark instrument aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that fully respect democratic values, protect human rights, and uphold the rule of law – including in the crucial fight against trafficking in human beings.

VANGUARD Consortium Meeting

Researchers from the Euro-Arab Foundation attended the fourth VANGUARD consortium meeting in Lisbon to discuss the results of the Horizon Europe Vanguard project. The event took place at the judicial police office in Lisbon, where technological tools, including facial recognition and emotion recognition tools, were showcased. Researchers also discussed in depth the next steps for the project, which include policy roundtables and publications.

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News

The Euro-Arab Foundation underlines the importance of journalistic narrative at the International Congress on Palestine at the University of Barcelona

The International Congress on Palestine, organised by the Centre for International Historical Studies (CEIH) of the University of Barcelona, was attended by Isabel Pérez, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation, who shared her experience as a former correspondent and resident for four years in the Gaza Strip during the closing session, “Palestine and the media”.

The round table included a lecture by Palestinian journalist and analyst Mariam Barghouti. Afterwards, there was a round table discussion with the following speakers: Isabel Pérez, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation, Joan Roura (TV3), Ricardo Mir de Francia (El Periódico). Ara journalist Cristina Mas moderated the debate.

Mariam Barghouti during her conference

Isabel Pérez, Head of Communication for International Projects at the Euro-Arab Foundation and part of the Research Secretariat of the EU Knowledge Hub’s Thematic Panel on Ideologies and Narratives of Conspiracy, emphasised the importance of language, semantic field and context in the construction of the journalistic narrative. She highlighted how the media exert a notable influence on public opinion through agenda setting, which determines which issues become news, and framing, which defines how they are reported.

Pérez affirmed that, despite established editorial lines, a journalist with a rigorous professional performance can get his or her proposals published, knowing that his or her news product will always be influenced by his or her knowledge, prejudices or interests, such as the commitment to denounce genocide. The importance of sources was another central pillar of his presentation. Pérez warned that the selection of unreliable sources can lead to misinformation and biased reporting. On the contrary, the use of contrasted sources allows for balanced and fact-based coverage, which contributes to the formation of a critical and informed society and the emergence of a decolonial media narrative.

In his intervention, Pérez also criticised the Israeli propaganda apparatus known as ‘Hasbara’, which aims to improve Israel’s international image and counter criticism. She cited examples such as reports on the beheading of Israeli babies or mass rapes, the veracity of which has been questioned and requires independent investigation. Finally, she called for a more rigorous questioning of official Israeli sources and a deconstruction of the Western and colonial media narrative.

For the Euro-Arab Foundation, the Palestinian issue is of vital importance, and its participation in this congress reinforces its commitment to the analysis and dissemination of accurate information on the region. The Foundation has carried out various activities and campaigns in support of Gaza and Palestine, including the organisation of workshops, seminars and conferences to address the humanitarian and political situation, as well as to promote dialogue and understanding. These initiatives seek to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the Palestinian population and to promote respect for human rights and international law.

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News Projects Rebel EN

We participate in the REFUGIN Project Final Conference emphasising ethical refugee integration

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies recently participated in the REFUGIN Project Final Conference, held on May 30th in Lisbon, Portugal. The conference served as a vital platform for professionals from across Portugal and Europe to share insights, reflect on project outcomes, and explore future strategies for the inclusion and integration of individuals in refugee-like situations.

The Euro-Arab Foundation’s researcher, Rascha Albaba Acosta, delivered a presentation highlighting the critical need for ethical and human rights- compliant inclusion of refugee populations in Europe. She stressed the importance of fostering and establishing national and cross-border cooperation mechanisms to effectively address the needs of these communities.

The REFUGIN Project, an IPS-partnered initiative, promotes a dual, inclusive approach by empowering refugees as active participants in their integration journey and mobilising civil society to create supportive, welcoming environments through shared responsibility.
The conference brought together diverse stakeholders to exchange best practices and discuss lessons learned, reinforcing the collective commitment to enhancing refugee integration across the continent.

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News SHIELDed EN

New European project to protect places of worship, schools and religious communities

Last week, the Euro-Arab Foundation participated in the kick-off meeting of a new 3-year project, SHIELDed, aimed at protecting places of worship, schools and religious communities in Europe.

The kick-off meeting brought together the project’s 17 partner organisations from 10 European countries and marked the beginning of a coordinated effort to address the growing vulnerabilities and challenges facing communities across Europe. By promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, strengthening the capacity of soft targets (such as schools and religious institutions and sites), inter-religious dialogue, tolerance, democratic and civic literacy, and critical thinking, the SHIELDed project seeks to foster a shared culture of safety, dialogue and mutual respect for all.

The Euro-Arab Foundation was represented at the SHIELDed launch event by its researcher Rascha Albaba Acosta.

In this project, the Euro-Arab Foundation will lead the coordination and implementation of the third work package, which focuses on establishing a baseline understanding of the needs, threats and vulnerabilities of soft targets, including local and organisational specificities, as well as the development of accurate and innovative materials and mechanisms to enable rapid, effective and comprehensive multi-level threat assessment and response options.

About SHIELDed

Funded by ISF (Homeland Security Fund), SHIELDed aims to respond to the global rise of disinformation, hatred and resulting violence directed at soft targets such as schools and places of worship. The project aims to work towards the protection of these symbolic places and their communities by building on the EU Action Plan to Support the Protection of Public Spaces and promoting cooperation between public authorities, religious organisations, educational institutions and local communities.

In addition, SHIELDed aims to improve public awareness by working with local communities and their youth. This will be achieved through capacity building, cooperation, awareness raising, preventive and response mechanisms. SHIELDed plays a crucial role in preventing crime and mitigating radicalisation and extremism, through primary and secondary preventive mechanisms. Its focus on improving literacy, tolerance and resilience will be crucial for tertiary prevention, particularly in assisting the (re)integration of people with criminal convictions.