Combating Online Hate Speech Seminar, France

Deadline: 15 October 2012
Open to: activists from Council of Europe countries working in antiracism, antifascism, refugee, human rights and minority rights organisations and grassroots activism
Venue: 9 – 15 December 2012,  European Youth Centre, Strasbourg, France

Description

UNITED for Intercultural Action is organising a special study session at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg, in cooperation with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe. The session aims to train 35 young people to recognise and combat hate speech online. It will motivate and enable them to step in when they witness situations where racism, discrimination and hate speech are spread online.

“Hate speech” is understood as covering all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia, antisemitism 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.

After the study session, participants will;

  • Be aware that intolerance, racist incidents and hate speech are widespread and they can be confronted with in it everyday life
  • Know how to recognise situations where racism, discrimination and hate speech are expressed online
  • Know and be able to apply a range of options to react to racism, discrimination and hate speech online

The session will take an interactive approach, so participants are encouraged to contribute their own experiences, expertise and ideas, bring along examples and good practices from their own countries and fields, and debate the use of possible interventions.

The programme will include; sharing experiences, examining case studies, identifying trends relating to racism in Europe, visiting relevant Council of Europe institutions, an overview of mechanisms to combat hate speech online, understanding the impact of hate speech on victims, learning how to apply and use tools, and formulating concrete action plans to follow up.

The programme will use a combination of peer-to-peer learning, simulations, group discussions, exercises, debates and expert presentations to engage participants with the key issues. You may see the draft programme HEREThe study session also aims to link with the current project of he Youth Sector of the Council of Europe “Young People Combating Hate Speech Online.”

Financial information 

The European Youth Centre charges 50 Euros participation fee for all participants. Travel expenses and visa fees will be reimbursed (on presentation of the relevant receipts) according to the rules of the Council of Europe. Only the participants who attend the entire event can be reimbursed. The payment (from which the participation fee will be deducted) will be made either by bank transfer after the study session, or at the end of the activity in cash (in Euros).

Board and lodging will be provided and paid for by the Council of Europe at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg. Every participant will be responsible for organising his or her own comprehensive insurance (health, luggage, cancellation etc)

Eligibility

The study session is planned for 35 participants (living in the countries of the Council of Europe) who are active in antiracism, antifascism, refugee, human rights and minority rights organisations and grassroots activism. These may include, for example;

  • Leaders and representatives of youth organisations or groups working against racism, discrimination, hate speech and in online environments
  • Representatives of national and international organisations active for human rights
  • Youth workers and education professionals working against hate speech, racism, for human rights and with online technologies
  • Bloggers and on-line human rights activists.

Priority will be given to nominations from young delegates (under 30 years old) who are able to demonstrate a genuine concern about hate speech (online) and interest in taking action after the study session. Participants should act as multipliers, channelling their new skills, experience and contacts back into their own organisations and communities. During selection, we will aim to reach a good gender and geographic balance. All participants must be able to work independently in English and available for the full duration of the event, from 9 December (arrival date) to 15 December (departure date).

Nomination process:

The deadline for nomination 15 October 2012 at 24:00. Complete the registration form available HERE completely providing all data as requested. If you invest more effort in your application it has more chance of being successful! Return the form by email to strasbourg@unitedagainstracism.org.

Each organisation can nominate only ONE representative (resident in Council of Europe member state). Sending this form to UNITED does not guarantee that you will be selected for the study session – they receive many nominations. Only selected candidates will be informed about the result of their selection and receive further information via e-mail mid October 2012.

All questions and enquiries related to the study session can be directed to strasbourg@unitedagainstracism.org.

See the original website HERE.

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