International Conference
Protect and Secure Worship
Protecting and Securing our Religious Heritage through Multisectoral Collaboration
Tuesday 25 April 2023 | 10:00 – 15:30 EET
Organisers

Hybrid format:
- Physical attendance: Chateau Status, Markou Drakou 12, Nicosia 1102, CyprusPhysical attendance: Chateau Status, Markou Drakou 12, Nicosia 1102, Cyprus
- Online Attendance: Livestream at the PROSECUW YouTube ChannelOnline Attendance: Livestream at the PROSECUW YouTube Channel
AGENDA
Registrations and welcoming with coffee & snacks
Conference Opening Speeches
-Demetris Hadjisofocli, CEO, CSI, Cyprus
-Panayiota Constanti, PROSECUW Project Coordinator, CSI, Cyprus
-Andrew Staniforth, PROTECTOR Project Coordinator, SAHER Europe, Estonia
Panel 1
‘Protecting Places of Worship: Sharing European Stories and Experiences’
Moderator: Dr Eliza Patouris, RESET, Cyprus
Panelists:
- Tamara Muñoz, DG Home, European Commission, Belgium
- Panayiota Constanti, PROSECUW Project Coordinator, CSI, Cyprus
- Andrew Staniforth, PROTECTOR Project Coordinator, SAHER Europe, Estonia
- Kaashif Awan, SOAR Project Coordinator, EFI, Ireland
- Edoardo Mattiello rep. of SHIELD Project Coordinator, Fondazione Amici della Cattedrale di Novara, Italy
- Marcin Podogrocki, PROSPERES Project Coordinator, University of Lodz, Poland
Parallel Workshops
Workshop 1
'Securing our places of worship - strengthening multistakeholder cooperation and policing in the EU’
Workshop 1 will present best practices, strategies and tools for effective collaboration and synergies among European Police Forces so as to best secure our places of worship.
Facilitator: Meredydd Hughes, SAHER Europe, Estonia
Contributions:
- Dr. Rafał Batkowski (police colonel ret.), University of Lodz, Poland
- Daniel Jacobsson & Nina Lindhe, The Swedish Police Authority, Sweden
- Fiene Flos, Antwerp Police, Belgium
- Eugene M OLeary & Eileen Connolly, Ireland’s National Police and Security Service, Ireland
- Chrysostomos Chrysostomou (Counter-Terrorism Dept.), Cyprus Police, Cyprus
Workshop 2
‘Protecting our Places of Worship: Bringing our Communities Together’
Workshop 2 will present European networks, concepts, and trainings, aiming to enhance the communication and collaboration among the communities for an effective protection and security within the society.
Facilitator: Dr José Paulo Oliveira, Lusófona University, Portugal
Contributions:
- Jacek Purski, Institute of Social Safety, Poland & Radicalisation Awareness Network, EU
- Dr Luca Guglielminetti, Universities of Bergamo, Bari and Portsmouth & Radicalisation Awareness Network, EU
- Jordi Mallarach, Future for Religious Heritage, EU
- Said Aini & Pia Ziyout, Klausenhof Academy, Germany
Workshop 3
‘Protecting and Securing in Practice: Tools and Services’
Workshop 3 will present hands-on, developed tools, systems and services available to the community so as to proactively protect and secure our places of worship.
Facilitator: Dr Elisa Ricci, FBK, Italy
Contributions:
- Dr Thorsten Kruse, University of Münster, Germany
- Marcin Podogrocki, University of Lodz, Poland
- Kaashif Awan, EFI, Ireland
Break with Coffee & Finger Food
Reporter on the 3 Workshops
- Anastasia Liopetriti, CSI, Cyprus (Workshop 1)
- Kyriaki Chatzipanagiotou, CSI, Cyprus (Workshop 2)
- Emily Psara, CSI, Cyprus (Workshop 3)
Panel 2
‘Opening the Dialogue for a Multiagency Response towards Religious Freedom’
Moderator: Dr Eliza Patouris, RESET, Cyprus
Panelists:
- Jacek Purski, Institute of Social Safety & Radicalisation Awareness Network, Poland
- Dr Thorsten Kruse, University of Münster, Germany
- Dr Nikolaos Dimitriadis, CEMES, Greece
- Dr José Paulo Oliveira, Lusófona University, Portugal
- Dr Massimo Abdellah Cozzolino, Europe Islamic Association, Italy
- Dr Luca Guglielminetti, Universities of Bergamo, Bari and Portsmouth & Radicalisation Awareness Network, Italy
- Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud, Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process, Cyprus
- Dr Carlotta Carbone, Transcrime - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Concluding Remarks
Policy Recommendations as Key Take-Aways
- Panayiota Constanti, PROSECUW Project Coordinator, CSI, Cyprus
- Andrew Staniforth, PROTECTOR Project Coordinator, SAHER Europe, Estonia
- Kaashif Awan, SOAR Project Coordinator, EFI, Ireland
- Andrea Zitter, SHIELD Project Coordinator, SYNYO, Austria
- Marcin Podogrocki, PROSPERES Project Coordinator, Lodzki University, Poland
Standing Lunch and Networking Gala
Simultaneous screening of the PROSECUW documentary ‘The Divinity of Oneness’
The documentary is a searing exposé of the stories shared by victims of religious hate crimes in Germany, Greece, Portugal, and Cyprus. It provides answers on critical issues about the escalating destruction of sacred sites and places of worship, the rise in hate of 'the other', and what is required to establish a society of interreligious respect and acceptance. Using a multi-angle approach, ranging from theological, intellectual, spiritual, social and political perspectives, the documentary triggers a journey of self-reflection, critical thought, and open heartedness. A documentary by the PROSECUW project, produced in collaboration with Film House Pictures, in the context of the European project PROSECUW, that aims to enhance protection at places of worship through multiagency cooperation, so as to develop their capacity to counteract radicalisation and hate-speech, in an effort to promote inter-religious respect and diversity.
VIP Dinner and Drinks (upon invitation)