Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities and An Garda Síochána conclude international conference with “Dublin Principles” for joint action
DUBLIN, IRELAND, August 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — On 27 August, police officers, religious leaders, civil society members, academics, and global specialists assembled in Dublin for the Building Cohesive, Safer Communities: Law Enforcement and Faith Partnerships in Preventing Extremism conference, jointly hosted by the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities (IAFSC) and An Garda Síochána.
The event drew on Irish and international expertise to explore the shifting danger of radicalisation and, crucially, how deeper collaboration between policing bodies and faith communities can avoid harm while reinforcing trust and community resilience.
Sessions covered the landscape of ideological violence and radical movements in Europe and Ireland, worldwide radicalisation patterns, the increasing influence of digital platforms and emerging technologies in drawing young people toward extremism, early behavioural warning signs of radicalisation, and concrete methods for prevention, rehabilitation, and disengagement.
Specialists also contended that religious communities ought to be regarded as autonomous and equal collaborators in prevention initiatives. Attendees stressed the value of interfaith dialogue as a tool for boosting tolerance across society. They noted that successful responses must rest on trust, steer clear of stigmatising any group, and concentrate on harmful behaviours and ideological manipulation, starting within the family unit.
The Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities and An Garda Síochána unveiled the Dublin Principles, a joint declaration outlining concrete areas for ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and religious communities. The principles detail a comprehensive strategy for preventing, identifying, and reacting to radicalisation.
Dana Humaid, Chief Executive of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, said: “We have seen in my own country, the United Arab Emirates, how a model of coexistence fostered by cooperation between government, faith leaders, communities can build lasting resilience within families and in society. That’s the spirit of partnership we brought to Dublin.
"Preventing radicalisation cannot be the responsibility of law enforcement or faith communities alone. It depends on trust between all these actors. Dublin has demonstrated the value of bringing partners together listening to one another, sharing expertise and building practical ways to intervene before vulnerability becomes radicalisation and radicalisation becomes harm. The Dublin Principles give us a foundation for turning that dialogue into action.
"To make sure that the Dublin conference is a true success, our shared task now is to translate trust into cooperation. That is how we learn from each other, build capacity to spot and counter radicalisation, and create safer communities.”
Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn, Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service, said: "An Garda Síochána recognises that radicalisation and violent extremism pose challenges to communities both locally and internationally. This is a serious concern, and we are committed to playing our role in managing and mitigating the threat in collaboration with others. Last week we welcomed faith leaders, academics and international partners to Dublin, as part of a dialogue on how to foster cross-sectoral collaboration in managing the threat of radicalisation to our communities.
"We, in An Garda Síochána, are always guided by the community policing model. By proactively engaging with local communities, we will continue to build trusted relationships, encourage mutual respect and tolerance, and promote social cohesion through community-led initiatives.
"This week's conference afforded An Garda Síochána the opportunity to strengthen relationships, including those with faith leaders at home and abroad. This experience will lay the groundwork for further collaborative opportunities in countering the growing concern of radicalisation and extremism, and protecting our communities.
"We thank the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities for their support, sponsorship and collaboration in making this important event a reality."
Specialists included delegates from religious organisations, academia, and dedicated counter-radicalisation bodies. The agenda featured presentations from analysts and practitioners based in Ireland and across the globe, with sessions examining regional and worldwide security trends, online radicalisation, effects on communities, international prevention approaches, youth diversion programmes, and the disruption of terrorist financing via the misuse of charitable channels. The role of social media and gaming platforms in radicalisation was a persistent theme.
Participants learned about proven prevention and rehabilitation methods from the UAE, Singapore, and Kenya, and debated which of these might be transferable to other settings.
Reflecting their joint dedication to practical initiatives that produce real results, IAFSC and An Garda Síochána confirmed their intention to explore new capacity-building programmes designed to equip religious leaders with the skills and knowledge to identify early signs of radicalisation. Additional proposed steps included creating safe and confidential channels for reporting safeguarding concerns, as well as conducting joint awareness sessions involving police and community representatives. The importance of multi-agency pathways to support rehabilitation and reintegration was universally acknowledged.
Digital safety also featured prominently throughout the conference. Attendees examined the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, synthetic media, encrypted communications, online gaming, and social media as platforms for spreading divisive and radicalising content. The Dublin Principles identify the digital environment as a strategic priority for efforts to counter radicalisation.
Special attention was directed toward young people, women, and families—groups that can be disproportionately impacted by radicalisation but can also serve a vital role in building resilience and spotting vulnerabilities at an early stage. Participants backed approaches grounded in behavioural indicators rather than demographic profiling, alongside accessible support for families worried about ideological isolation or radicalisation.
The international viewpoints shared during the conference underscored both the increasingly cross-border nature of radicalisation and the importance of locally grounded prevention and safeguarding measures.
The Dublin Principles call for the dialogue launched at the conference to continue beyond the event. Law enforcement, religious communities, and civil society pledged to maintain open engagement, contribute community insights to policy development, and build the capabilities of local officers, faith leaders, and grassroots advocates through appropriate guidance, tools, and training.
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Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities
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