Bjørn Ihler
Co-Founder and Director, Khalifa Ihler Institute; Founder and CEO, Revontulet
2022, 2023, 2024
Bjørn Ihler is the founder and CEO of Revontulet and the co-founder and Director of the Khalifa Ihler Institute. Ihler is an internationally renowned expert on counter-terrorism and preventing radicalization into violent extremism. Ihler’s work is focused on the international dynamics of terrorist networks online and offline. His work has been instrumental in developing a more comprehensive approach to terrorism and violent extremism across sectors while maintaining a principled approach to human rights. As a survivor of the 22nd of July 2011 terrorist attack in Norway, Ihler is also working to ensure the rights and healthy inclusion of victims and survivors of terrorism and violent extremism in the work to prevent violence.
Ihler is a member of the Obama Foundation Leaders Europe Network and has, among others, advised world leaders, governments, and international organizations through his work with the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Khalifa Ihler Institute. From 2020 to July 2022, Ihler served as the inaugural chair of the Independent Advisory Committee of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, facilitating joint efforts across the tech industry to counter the spread of terrorism online.
At the Summit
The Summit was more than empty words – it made clear that a solution-driven approach is the only way to fight hate. That’s why the working group activities, which are results driven are going to be critical in defeating violent extremism. The Summit brought together the best minds in government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Being surrounded by these experts sparked new ideas – some of which I’ve already implemented or have written about.
