Activities: frame of references

Briefly, the activities and researchers of ITSTIME draw on a basic assumption that the organizational structure of terrorist groups is complex and involve many networks. This structure implies a constant need for resources in order t to survive and be effective. In particular, two main needs seem to be crucial:

•  the communication of terrorism and

•  the financing of terrorism.

These two needs are primary and necessary for any organization, including terrorist groups. ITSTIME researchers focus specifically on these two needs.
The project's background has its roots in the knowledge of terrorist culture. The essential principle of our group is that if we are interested in understanding and fighting terrorism, we have to “think as terrorists do”. The outcomes of our research include the elaboration of potential risk scenarios and managing emergency practices.

In particular, ITSTIME research activity aims at analyzing the communication process of terrorism. We monitor the jihad communication, directed by the statement that “terrorism is communication”. The main difference between a terrorist and a criminal is that the latter seeks a symbolic acknowledgement of his action. This means that he is aware of the media system where he proposes himself as the main character. Therefore a study that attempts to understand terrorist actions has to adopt both an integrated and a very direct approach, using communication as an important interpretive filter and framework.
Terrorism is a “communication phenomenon” because terrorists seek out and manage communication. It is therefore imperative to analyze the communication through media research tools. This is even more crucial in a world in which “public opinion”, thanks to real-time updated technologies, plays a key role in orienting political and strategic actions.
In addition, the terrorist attacks in London on July 2005, although could be described as an expected scenario, marked a progressive “palestinisation” or “baghdanisation” of the terrorist question. In the coming years, we will have to respond to this development, throughout the world. As a matter of fact, after July 2005, the risk of terrorism has become a reality for both the local governments and its citizens throughout the world.

ITSTIME experts and researchers have been involved for five years on “missions” in North America, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia and the complex perspective that they have developed deal with the three missions of security terrorism and crisis. All have led to studies focussed on web-based communication.

 

The Special Learning experience and Security Training Programme are planned and realized by ITSTIME – Italian Team for Security, Terroristic Issues & Managing Emergencies.

Special Learning Experience : Specifically tailored to top business managers; It aims at the development of resilient capabilities, improving decisions making under stress, teamwork and assertiveness; It is planned in natural and challenging environments; It uses new approaches to test one's limits.

Security Training Programme : Specifically tailored to different management levels that cope with security and crisis issues; It aims at developing knowledge and tools to achieve goals in uncertain and risky situations (namely, to manage crisis); It uses both traditional and more participant learning methodologies to actively involved the participants.

ITSTIME is involved both in consulting activities and in research projects focused on security, terrorism and crisis management. The research activities are carried out through the support of European, international, national, public and private funds.
Through the Catholic University, ISTIME could work as a research and consulting group on specific projects for institutions, public and private bodies.
ISTIME actively carried out (and carries out) the following activities:

  • think tank activities
  • monitoring and analysis of terrorism communication in the Internet
  • elaboration of risk analysis models
  • elaboration of risk scenarios in specific contexts
  • analysis focused on security and risk perception
  • field research in North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia

For information and enquiries
ITSTIME - Università Cattolica - Dip. di Sociologia - Largo Gemelli, 1 - 20123 Milano - itstime@itstime.it