2025 will be the year of ZERO ethnic and religious hate speech in schools in the municipalities of Prilep and Dolneni!

During the month of December 2024, we conducted a series of activities in the municipalities of Prilep and Dolneni to address and respond to ethnic and religious hate speech that exists in online communication between young people/students from primary and secondary schools.

In this regard, three workshops were organized in two primary and one secondary school in the municipalities of Prilep and Dolneni, where students of different ethnic and religious backgrounds had the opportunity to learn and interactively engage in discussions on the topics of interreligious and interethnic diversity, critical thinking and media literacy as powerful tools for opposing hate speech both online and offline.

The workshops were held in the period from 23rd-25^th of December 2024 and included students aged 12-18 in the three schools. The content and implementation were delivered by an externally engaged expert, Monika Taleska, in cooperation with the school staff.

The lectures took place in the following order:

1. Lecture at the Primary School “Ismail Qamili” – village Crnilishte, municipality of Dolneni.

Date: 23^rd of December 2024

Topics covered by the lecture:

– Research on media literacy: understanding how the media shape opinions and attitudes.

– The psychology behind hate speech and its impact on individuals and communities.

– Practical exercises: Evaluating media content for bias and misinformation.

2. Lecture at the Primary School “Dobre Jovanoski”, Prilep

Date: 24^th of December 2024

Topics covered by the lecture:

– Introduction to hate speech: definition, examples and legal implications.

– The role of the media in the spread and fight against hate speech.

– Interactive session: Identifying hate speech with online and offline scenarios.

– Tips for critical thinking and evaluating information sources.

3. Lecture at SOEPTU “Kuzman Josifoski Pitu” Municipality of Prilep

Date: 25^th of December 2024

Topics covered by the lecture:

– Intersection of hate speech and freedom of expression.

– Case studies: Real-life examples of the consequences of hate speech.

– Media literacy skills: Recognizing fake news and combating disinformation.

– Group discussion: How can young people contribute to a more respectful online environment?

Next, on 27^th of December 2024, was organized a New Year’s networking event at the office of the Association LET Station in Prilep.

The timing of the event was deliberately chosen to capitalize on the spirit of renewal and shared optimism for the future, creating a significant platform to address the critical issue of hate speech in schools, particularly on ethnic and religious grounds.

The event was attended by around 30 people, including: youth representatives (students from primary and secondary schools in Prilep and Dolneni), school staff and educators who previously played a key role in organizing workshops aimed at fostering tolerance and understanding, and representatives from various religious institutions, ensuring the inclusion of different perspectives and promoting interfaith dialogue.

The event began with a warm welcome by the organizers, who highlighted the importance of the initiative in light of the growing concern about hate speech and its harmful impact on youth and community cohesion. Participants shared personal stories, insights and examples of the challenges they face in dealing with hate speech. These stories fostered empathy and understanding among those present, who highlighted practical approaches that have proven successful in different contexts.

Also, was prepared a “New Year’s Resolution for Zero Hate Speech” making efforts for a collective commitment to promote zero tolerance for hate speech in schools and communities whose representatives participated in the event. This moment served as a powerful visual representation of unity and shared responsibility in addressing hate speech.

Schools were encouraged to display the resolution prominently as a reminder of their commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment and to engage students, parents, and community members in discussions about hate speech and its consequences.

The New Year’s networking event marked a significant step towards building a culture of respect, tolerance, and inclusion in the municipalities of Prilep and Dolneni. By engaging diverse stakeholders and emphasizing collective action, the event laid the foundation for ongoing efforts to combat hate speech and create a positive environment where every student can thrive.

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The activity is part of the Encouraging Collective Action for Religious Freedom in the Western Balkans project, which is being implemented in collaboration with NDI North Macedonia.

This post was originally published on this site