The Constant Commitment to Advancing Knowledge on Violent Radicalization Processes (COSPRAD)
Established in the aftermath of the 2015 terrorist attacks, the COSPRAD was created by decree in May 2017. Its mission is to deepen the knowledge of institutional stakeholders on the various forms of radicalization. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. Its Vice-Président is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research).
Its primary mission is to provide scientific insight into the phenomena of radicalization, in order to ground public policy decisions on a foundation of documented and substantiated knowledge.
It brings together researchers with in-depth knowledge of research on radicalization processes and representatives from various relevant ministries and public institutions, with the aim of developing proposals for the Prime Minister.
The COSPRAD's objectives are to :
- Provide scientific clarification to the knowledge acquired in the field by the various institutional and operational actors involved in combating radicalization, by facilitating interactions between public administrations and researchers in the human and social sciences.
- Propose priority research areas on radicalization issues and disseminate best practices by organizing "ad hoc" events.
- Capitalize on the content obtained from the various formats of cross-disciplinary discussions between scientists and institutional stakeholders, for the benefit of public policies for the prevention and countering of radicalization.
- Contribute to the promotion of research results in the human and social sciences and their reuse, by encouraging reflection on access to sensitive data related to radicalization.
The members of the COSPRAD are :
- Representatives from the Ministry of National Education, higher education and research, the armed forces, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, the Interministerial Delegation (labor, solidarity, health), the General Commission for Territorial Equality.
- The Secretary General of the Interministerial Committee for the Prevention of Crime and Radicalization.
- The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CNRS.
- A representative of France Universités.
- Four representatives of associations of local elected officials.
- Qualified experts, as well as a member of the National Assembly and a member of the Senate.
The COSPRAD offers a variety of activities throughout the year to facilitate collaboration between institutional stakeholders and researchers : inter-institutional working groups, thematic workshops, science cafés, video capsule production, doctoral seminars.