The project proposes a cross-sectorial initiative in the fields of education for media and strategic communication in relation to security, prevention and counteraction of criminal acts. The consortium partners include civil and military universities that offer expertise in how to create a safe communication environment and law enforcement agencies that are directly involved in preventing and countering social polarisation and unrest, radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.
According to expert reports, some of the most acute crisis in communication between public institutions and journalists have been reached during specific events. The southern part of Europe more specifically lacks a coordinated and efficient handling of such crisis as proven by the migration crisis in Greece (2015), the terrorist attacks in Spain (2017), or disaster cases in Romania (e.g. Colectiv arson case, 2015).

The culture of communications is changing at a rapid pace, driven by the power of internet and social networks. The digital communication environment, with its remarkable advantages and opportunities, also provides opportunities to different actors for conducting malicious influencing activities, divide societies, erode the democratic values and sow distrust in our institutions. Users are encouraged to create personal echo-chambers at the expense of information pluralism and to move away from reliable and credible news reporting and sound journalist analyses.


The three countries are linked by the need to address strategic communication in case of security threats. The course is developed in collaboration between: “Mihai Viteazul” National Intelligence Academy (MVNIA) – Romania, Ciberimaginario Research Group of the University Rey Juan Carlos– Spain, Kentro Meleton Asfaleias (KEMEA), Center For Security Studies – Greece and Ministry of Internal Affairs, Directorate for Information and Public Relations (MAI-DIRP) – Romania.

https://crescentproject.eu/

• Greece
• Romania
• Spain

• Youth
• The unemployed

The project can be replicated in any other country. The spread of disinformation and false news through social networks, and the increase in hate crimes, especially against immigrants, makes it useful that the information and training generated in the project can be reused to train youth in a culture of tolerance and peace.

The project offers numerous openly published training resources as Open Educational Resources that can be used without any limitations.

The project assumes many of the principles of WSIS, but especially that the Information Society should respect peace and uphold the fundamental values of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, shared responsibility, and respect for nature.