On April 19, 2018, Canadian International Council (Edmonton Branch), partnering with the Political Science Graduate Students Association and Global Education Program at the University of Alberta, presented a film screening and panel discussion on the current challenges and responses to right wing populism in Europe.

Members of the Edmonton and university communities were invited to watch two short films, including (i) Germany: One Night in Cologne, and (ii) Europe’s Right-Wing Youth Activists are Striking Back Against Multi-Culturalism.

The first film considered the German state’s response to allegations of mass sexual assault by ‘foreign’ men on New Year’s Eve, and the corresponding rejoinder by far right groups in Germany. Those right wing groups felt the state’s response inadequate to the events in Cologne and questioned the open refugee policy previously implemented by the state. The second film looked at the new wave of right wing populism through the ‘identitarian’ movement in Austria, and how internally members of those groups view themselves as fundamentally different than their predecessor right wing organizations, while external viewers saw the differences as mere marketing for 21st century politics.

The panelists, including Laurie Adkin, Lori Thorlakson and Nicole Lugosi, provided historical, economic and sociological context to the films from their respective areas of research. Members of the public were invited to ask the panelists questions to gain a deeper perspective of the issues at play.

The CIC and its partners would like to thank all of those who were able to attend the full house event at the Telus Centre, along with all of the volunteers and panelists who brought the event together.