How does Mobile Counseling work?
Awareness
Right-wing extremism in an urban space like Berlin takes on many different forms and shapes. The days of the “typical Nazi-Skinhead” are long gone, even as their continued existence is evident on the streets. Strategies of right-wing extremist activists in the public arena are changing – they are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For this reason, the MBR offers information and training to clients. The aim is to improve their knowledge and increase sensitivity towards symptoms of right-wing extremism, racism and anti-Semitism. In most cases, the motivation to work against discriminatory and anti-democratic tendencies depends on how aware people are of problems, be it within their immediate surroundings or throughout society. Accordingly, higher awareness leads to increased knowledge and information about what is going on in the area. In its analysis of a situation, MBR is at its best when strategies can build on the locals’ knowledge base.
Analysis
A detailed analysis of the specific local situation provides the basis for developing sustainable strategies. Of concern in this analysis are the local forms of right-wing extremism, particularly the following factors: organized political activities of right wing groups or informal, unorganized groups; the level of politicization and racist ideology among the general public; RWE meeting points and infrastructure; chronological accounts of propaganda and attacks against people opposing RWE. Finally, situational analyses describe the socio-cultural climate within a neigborhood or district. The views and experiences of migrants, disabled people, gays and lesbians, and left-wing activists are of major importance to the analyses. More than anyone else, people with such a background are likely to experience the consequences of discrimination and hate speech. In turning to these varied groups, MBR recognizes their expertise regarding their neighborhoods and the things going on at the local level. By doing so, MBR helps to strengthen the position of minorities within communities and supports their voices to be heard.
Action
Strategies for dealing with right-wing extremism depend on multiple factors: First, that the problem be analyzed. Dealing with a violent youth group is different than dealing with an intelligently-organized and run RWE organization. And both are different from engaging against widespread, subtler racist attitudes spread throughout the population. Second, effective strategies depend on the abilities and resources of those who implement them. A group of young skaters, a teacher without colleague support, and the youth department of a city-district with 300,000 inhabitants all face different opportunity structures, and therefore need different strategies. Strategies and activities are only successful when they are custom-built to our partners’/clients’ needs. As “actions speak louder than words”, examples explain best MBR’s practice.
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What is Mobile Counseling against Right-wing Extremism?
- Support for victims of attacks and hate crimes
- School and youth work
- Youth activism
- “No-go areas”: right-wing extremism in public spaces
- Civic protests against right-wing manifestations