UNESCO dedicates International Day of Education 2024 to combatting global surge in hate speech

UNESCO says that education and teachers play a pivotal role in countering hate speech

In face of rising hate speech worldwide, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has dedicated the upcoming International Day of Education to combatting hate speech.

In a press statement, UNESCO says that education and teachers play a pivotal role in countering hate speech, particularly as it becomes increasingly pervasive through social media, posing a threat to societal harmony.

It adds that the surge of hate speech in recent years, marked by its role in fostering prejudice, discrimination, and the normalization of violence, has been further exacerbated by the amplification on various social media platforms.

UNESCO says it is actively calling upon its member states to prioritise education as a potent tool in fostering societies that uphold the core values of human dignity and peace.

The statement adds that UNESCO will host a one-day online training for thousands of teachers worldwide, focusing on deconstructing hate speech. This training aims to equip educators with tools to identify, tackle, and prevent such incidents.

The initiative is part of UNESCO’s broader action plan to assist member states and education professionals and on the same day, in New York, UNESCO will convene Ministers, education leaders, and educators globally to discuss the central role of education in achieving sustainable global peace. In November 2023, UNESCO’s 194 Member States adopted a new recommendation establishing a global framework in this area.

Audrey Azoulay

“The accelerated spread of hate speech is a threat to all communities. Our best defense is education, which must be at the heart of any peace efforts. It is our collective duty to empower learners of all ages to deconstruct hate speech and lay the foundations for inclusive, democratic, and human-rights-respecting societies. To succeed, we need to better train and support teachers on the front lines in overcoming this phenomenon,” says Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

The statement adds that the recent surge in hate speech is alarming, with hateful messages and conspiracy theories targeting specific communities gaining traction on social media and online platforms. A UNESCO/IPSOS survey conducted in 16 countries revealed that 67 pc of internet users encountered online hate speech, with 85 pc expressing concerns about the impact of disinformation on their fellow citizens.

UNESCO has also revised its Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development to combat hate speech. In 2023, it published a guide on “Addressing Hate Speech through Education,” promoting anti-racist guidelines.