Workshop: Deradicalizing Violent Extremists: Success Stories from the Field

The serious political crisis in the US is fueled in part by 702 extremist groups, who routinely resort to violence against their many enemy groups. Yet, some group members begin to seriously question their aggression, prompting them to leave the movements. How is this possible?

For this event, we showcase the mission, practices and successes of Beyond Barriers: Freedom from the Barriers of the Mind, which is dedicated to a world devoid of extremism, radicalized organizations, hate, violence, coercive and violent ideologies. Unique to Beyond Barriers is the composition of ex-extremist leaders, as well as academics and professionals involved directly in its research and development.

The keynote speaker for this session is the Founder and President of Beyond Barriers, Jeff Schoep. A former leader of a Neo-Nazi organization, Mr. Schoep and staff members now give lectures about preventing and countering extremism nationally and internationally, from synagogues to universities, from broadcasts on network television to international symposiums. In addition to working with community and government agencies, Beyond Barriers maintains partnerships with research institutions such as Simon Wiesenthal Center, RAND Corporation, International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), mental health professionals, academic research and development teams, religious and educational institutions across the United States and abroad.