Tackling Hate Speech Through Safe and Inclusive Education Systems

Discrimination comes in many forms. Hate speech is a form of abusive verbal or written expression displaying prejudice toward specific groups, often marginalized ones. As concern continues to rise, a new policy guide by UNESCO looks into ways to address this issue through education.

The prevalence of hate speech

Humans often feel wary of things that are different from them. Some have learned to accept and live with those differences, even embrace them. Unfortunately, some others reject the idea and turn hostile instead. This becomes one of the roots of discrimination and intolerance, manifesting as behaviors like verbal abuse and physical violence.

Hate speech perpetuates social injustices and threatens the safety of the targeted groups. The causes vary; it can be a deliberate action or a result of underlying societal prejudice. The development of online media platforms also plays a part in exacerbating the prevalence of this behavior, often in the name of free expression.

The role of education

Hate speech is a complex matter that must be addressed through multiple approaches. UNESCO published a guideline that aims to shift the discourse surrounding hate speech from correction to prevention through education.

The challenge of countering the problem lies in balancing the preventive strategies with the fundamental human right to freedom of expression. Therefore, it is crucial to formulate education strategies that can cover both. In other words, the strategy should still allow students to voice their opinions without being abusive towards a particular group.

Interventions at every level of education and capacity development for educators and institutions are crucial. Education systems have a role in providing safe and inclusive learning environments that cultivate respect and support towards human rights and diversity, devoid of hate and prejudice. A learner-centered approach is needed to actively address all forms of intolerance while still promoting global citizenship education.

The key policy suggestions

The policy guide was launched as part of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. It offers recommendations for policymakers to address this issue and mitigate its impacts on those targeted through strategies focusing on curriculums and textbooks, pedagogy, teacher education, the management of educational institutions, and partnerships.

Several key recommendations are as follows:

Prioritize the issue of hate speech and take action to counter it with concrete implementation plans, including policy frameworks and budgetary allocations.
Establish and implement clear guidelines and mechanisms to support individuals and groups targeted by hate speech in educational settings, including transparent reporting mechanisms and norms for compliance.
Include educational activities to strengthen skills in critical thinking, social and emotional learning, intercultural dialogue, and global citizenship to foster the necessary prosocial behavioral change to counter hate speech and promote inclusiveness and diversity.
Provide educators and school leaders with in-service training to equip them with new educational approaches to respond to and counter hate speech in their daily activities and interactions with students.
Build the resilience of education systems through an integrated effort, including family and community outreach and multi-stakeholder partnership.
Establish criteria to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of interventions to address hate speech.

Read the complete recommendation in the guide here.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.