Addressing Hate Speech: Educational Responses

This paper is part of a collection of discussion papers commissioned and produced by UNESCO and the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (OSAPG). They directly contribute to the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action and published in the context of the Multistakeholder Forum and Ministerial Conference on Addressing Hate Speech through Education.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pertinence of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action, generating a wave of hate speech worldwide –further exacerbating intolerance and discrimination towards particular groups and destabilizing societies and political systems. The discussion papers seek to unpack critical issues related to this global challenge and suggest possible responses and recommendations for policymakers, some of which are:

• Integration of global citizenship education within national teaching curricula to address the root causes of hate speech; and investing in context-relevant targeted educational programmes to prevent violent extremism and racism, antisemitism and other forms of intolerance.
• Review curricula and teaching materials to ensure they are free of stereotypes and biased language and include diverse perspectives. Teaching materials should emphasize shared values and human rights to foster a sense of unity while embracing diversity.
• Provides resources and financial support to civil society organizations engaged in addressing and countering hate speech.

Encouraging the development of educational, preventive strategies against hate speech in national hate-speech action plans and guidelines addressed to non-State actors, including civil society and the private sector. Among others.