Online Panel Discussion: Protection of Places of Worship and Religious Communities as Critical Infrastructure
12.12.2025
17:00 - 18:30
Across Europe, places of worship and religious communities are increasingly targeted by acts of extremism, hate crime, and ideologically motivated violence. These attacks reflect a broader threat environment in which religious spaces, much like critical infrastructure, require stronger attention to security and resilience.
This online panel brings together researchers and practitioners to explore the current threat environment, including emerging risks to diverse religious communities.
In addition to mapping the challenges, the discussion will examine existing solutions, from soft security and community engagement strategies to enhanced communication mechanisms between religious actors, local authorities, and security stakeholders. The panel will also reflect on validated practices and ways forward for ensuring safer and more resilient environments for worship.
Discussants:
Marcin Podogrocki
University of Łódź
José Luis Salido
Euro-Arab Foundation (Granada)
Alessandro Lazari
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CRISR), University of Salento (Italy)
Peter van de Crommert
Dutch Institute for Safe and Secure Spaces – DISSS
Moderation:
Daniela Pisoiu
oiip
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85155692924
Webinar-ID: 851 5569 2924
The event is hosted by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip) in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) and the EU project PARTESS-COM.