Studies preceding the Council of Europe’s “No Hate” campaign prove that as many as 40% of young people experienced hate speech themselves, 70% declaring to have felt helpless in such situations. Only 22% of research subjects attended a training or workshop sessions on preventing discrimination or racism. This data proves the distinct need to support persons working with young people in the field of handling the hate speech phenomenon.
The project purpose was to integrate hate speech prevention initiatives launched in Poland already, to empower them by providing appropriate educational tools, and to improve the competencies of persons working with young people in the field of preventing hate speech and violence.
Action taken served to disseminate knowledge concerning hate speech prevention in the community of persons working with young people and in the entire society.
The project involved a social campaign to identify and prevent hate and discrimination speech; consequently, the campaign theme became a fixed component of public discourse. The campaign coalition was subsequently joined by another several dozen institutions and organisations (non-governmental, public, local government) active in hate speech prevention.
Just under 300 teachers were trained; approximately 2,500 young people and general public representatives were included in educational endeavours. Activities spanned a variety of age, cultural (i.a. national, ethnic, religious minorities and foreign nationals) and social (LGBTQ, the unemployed, the impoverished) groups throughout Poland. The project experience was summarised in a publication and disseminated during an open event attended by around 80 persons.
Co-operation with the Norwegian partner allowed an exchange of experience relating to teaching staff training. Furthermore, the partner consulted project-related materials, such as the workshop agenda.
Direct project beneficiaries included 300 teachers and 200 young people (training participants) and 80 attendants of the summary seminar.