The workshop will train and inform young bloggers and online human rights activists about online hate speech, preparing them to play an active role in addressing this challenging problem at national and European level.
The workshop is part of a new project by the Council of Europe, Young People Combating Hate Speech Online, which focuses on enabling young people and youth organisations to combat racism and discrimination in their online expression of hate speech by equipping them with the competences necessary to recognise and act against such human rights violations.
The organisers will select 50 participants for the workshop. The deadline for application is 22 October 2012.
All participants must be:
• committed to the values of human rights and be interested in taking action against racism and discrimination online
• motivated to develop national or local projects against online hate speech in 2013, and to act as promoters for the Online Youth Campaign of the Council of Europe, as well as other initiatives to be initiated under the EEA and Norway Grants
• supported by a public institution active in the human rights field, youth organisation, human rights organisation and/or an informal group of activists or an online community (exceptions are possible)
• digitally competent, having at least a medium level of digital competence, and advanced users of social media
• capable of mobilising young people online around the issues of their concern, but particularly related to the freedom of expression, human rights, anti-racism and anti-discrimination, online campaigning and activism.
• able to work autonomously in the English language
• motivated to learn and able to attend the full duration of the workshop
• aged between 18 and 30 years, exceptions can be made if justified
• residents of one of the beneficiary countries of the EEA and Norway Grants: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain (a small number of participants from other Council of Europe member states is possible)
The participants will be accommodated at the European Youth Centre in Budapest. The programme starts with an informal get together on 21 November in the evening, and closes on 24 November at 19:00.
Applications can be submitted electronically here.
Following the workshop, the Tackling hate speech: Living together online conference will be held on 27 and 28 November at the European Youth Centre in Budapest with the participation of government agencies, media, civil society funders, youth and human rights non-governmental organisations.
Information about the activities of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe is available on its website.
For specific queries about this workshop, please write to eyc.programme@coe.int
Photo credit: Christophe Vander Eecken