AN expert in youth work from Bradford as shared approaches used to minimise the risk of radicalisation in the city at an international conference in Albania.

Nick Koral, lead for safeguarding and wellbeing of young people at Bradford College, shared the systems used at the college with delegates from across the world.

The Building Young People's Resilience Against Violent Radicalisation conference was attended by youth work professionals from 19 countries, and Mr Koral was invited to present his paper titled, 'Brave Spaces and difficult conversations'.

He spoke about the importance of having 'Brave Spaces' in educational settings where students can speak freely about difficult and sensitive topics they may not feel comfortable discussing in a traditional classroom setting.

Bradford College's brave space, provided by the Student Base, runs alongside work delivered through the curriculum around the government's anti-radicalisation strategy, Prevent.

Mr Koral said: “I talked about how Brave Spaces in educational settings can complement the Prevent work that is embedded in the curriculum.

“I argued that some young people do not have the confidence or choose not to engage in dialogue in traditional classroom settings and need other spaces to do that.

“Brave Spaces provide a haven to engage in difficult and risky conversations where respectful challenge and can be applied. The Brave Space is flexible, people-centred and non-judgemental, providing an opportunity for the reframing of behaviours, attitudes and beliefs in a sported space."