In the context of the ISMKA project, on the 9 March 2018, the long-awaited International Security Narratives has been hosted by the Centre of Excellence in Public Safety Management – CESAM in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The Symposium brought together academics and practitioners from private and public fields with the objective to co-create security solutions based on security narratives and to discuss and develop approaches to local safety and security challenges. About 80 international participants came from private industries such as technology and banking, and from public sectors such as municipalities, ministries, police, first responders, safety regions, and embassies. They were joined by academics from several disciplines such as management sciences, social sciences and criminology, as well as artists working in sculpture, dance, poetry and theatre.
Following the opening speech by Prof. Gabriele Jacobs, ISMKA project coordinator, a high-level panel of keynotes presented their experience concerning co-operation, co-creation and integrity with regard to both public and private security. Then, the audience has been involved to attend seven parallel co-creation workshops, which fostered the participants to discuss and to share their ideas on some of the most current topics and challenges related to safety, security and emergency management.
As a conclusive moment for open discussion, a panel of relevant experts in the field of Security and Emergency Management, has been facilitated by Dr. Fabio Bisogni Vice President of Fondazione FORMIT (ISMKA - WP4 leader), while the event was closed by Dr. P. Saskia Bayerl, Co-Director Centre of Excellence in Public Safety Management (CESAM) and ISMKA WP5 leader.
Participants reported their perception of the event as “confronting their perspectives with meaningful insights outside their comfort zones”. Listening and sharing security narratives increases understanding and common language and facilitates the development of new solutions, and many insights from the symposium were unexpected; they referred to overcoming prejudice and stereotypes towards specific sectors and professions.
As a special remark, after the event, the ISMKA project coordinator, Prof. Gabriele Jacobs, was endowed professor of Organisational Behaviour and Culture at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) and, the project Consortium congratulate with her wishing a brilliant academic career.
For further impression of the day, here is a link to the official movie: