Nowadays, the proliferation of hate-speech poses a significant threat directly impinging upon individual and collective human rights, eroding social cohesion, and normalizing violence worldwide. In face of this situation, education emerges as a vital tool in de-constructing hate-speech by fostering an appreciation of human rights, nurturing respect for diversity, and cultivating a responsible citizenship. However, it is imperative that we critically examine first whether our education systems, rather than countering hate-speech, are inadvertently promoting its proliferation.

Therefore, with the help of renowned international experts, the side event “SDG16 and SDG4: Tackling hate speech through education for more inclusive and peaceful societies” will explore what is hate speech, potential role of education systems in fomenting it and how it can be addressed through education. To do so, the event is structured in two round tables that will complement each other addressing the issue from two different perspectives:

• Panel I: Decoding hate speech, the potential risk of educational systems in promoting it and strategies to address it from educational policy.

• Panel II: Approach and educational practices to address hate speech.

The event will feature the participation of Cecilia Barbieri, head of UNESCO‘s Education for Global Citizenship and Peace Section, Salvador Sala, Head of the European Space for Citizenship Education Unit of Council of Europe, Vernor Muñoz, Head of Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns at the Global Campaign for Education and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Karlos Castilla, research coordinator of the Institute of Human Rights of Catalonia and Kyriaki Messiou, Professor of Education at the University of Southampton. 

The parallel event will take place online on July 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will have simultaneous English-Catalan translation. Register here.