Youth as active citizens: an approach to prevention of hate speech that empowers youth Zakia Akkouh The European Wergeland Centre Tallinn 12 February 2016

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Definitions: “Hate speech covers all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or other forms of hatred based on intolerance, including: intolerance expressed by aggressive nationalism and ethnocentrism, discrimination and hostility against minorities, migrants and people of immigrant origin”. - Council of Europe “Group-focused enmity describes the syndrome of interlinked negative attitudes and prejudices towards groups identified as “other”, “different” or “abnormal” and assigned inferior social status”. - Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Hate Speech in Europe “Intolerance, Prejudice and Discrimination: A European Report” (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) 8 European countries Central findings: Group-focused enmity is widespread in Europe. About 50% believe there are too many immigrants in their country. Many believe that Jews seek to benefit from their forebears’ suffering during the Nazi era. About 30% believe there is a natural hierarchy of ethnicity. Widespread Islamophobia A majority in Europe also subscribe to sexist attitudes rooted in traditional gender. Relatively high proportion opposing equal rights for homosexuals Prejudices are interconnected. Those who denigrate one group are very likely to target other groups too. Group-focused enmity increases with age and decreases with education. In summary: Hate Speech represents a major threat to the fundamental values of democracy and human rights

Normalization of hate speech 1.The political discourse 2.Internet and social media eVw8

Hate Speech and Human Rights Starting point: social media and internet is an integral part of modern democracies. Hate speech: Violates the fundamental dignity of groups of people Impedes participation The process of dehumanization Hate crimes are always preceded by hate speech

The role of schools The most important arena of prevention The overall mandate of schools to educate democratic citizens Classrooms as a safe space for disagreement, discussions, reflections, challenging views The importance of critical thinking Whole school approach

The role of teachers Don’t wait for the crisis! Early prevention Approach: Human Rights Education-> teach about, through and for human rights Class room as a safe space Democratic skills: Digital literacy, Critical Thinking Awareness raising- importance of history education

Empowerment of students Active citizens online, offline and in the classroom Protection and cencorship is impossible and undesirable Empowerment Attitudes, knowledge and skills Peer-to-peer learning No hate speech

Thank you!