Athens hosted a three-day multidisciplinary working session, with practical exercises to simulate risk scenarios in places of worship. Religious authorities and communities took part along with different security corps, including the Barcelona City Police, who contributed with their experience and knowledge in managing security.
The meeting included sessions with training, practical exercises and displays. The exercises, which will also be conducted in Barcelona and Rome, are aimed at improving the detection of risks and vulnerabilities, operational responses and stronger collaboration between the public and private stakeholders involved.
Specifically, the meeting tested the augmented virtual reality tool with a hands-on demonstration, plus artificial intelligence applied to the assessment of risks in places of worship.
The SPIRIT project is a key European initiative to improve security in places of worship, in a climate of growing threats. SPIRIT is developing advanced tech solutions to protect these places, building innovation into risk assessment, tools for community policing and virtual training modules.
The project also has the goal of strengthening communication channels between religious communities and security forces. Through seminars, workshops and simulations, members of these groups have the chance to share their needs and concerns relating to security and to acquire the skills needed to take coordinated action before possible threats.
The overall goal is to build safer tools for places of worship in Europe, promoting international collaboration and the exchange of good practices that benefit the entire region. Barcelona City Council has a key role in the project, actively contributing to training and collaboration between the various stakeholders involved.