Between 24 – 31 of May, Asociación PROJUVEN had the pleasure to host in Torremolinos, Málaga area, 20 young people coming from Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Spain. Youngsters were gathered together in the framework of “No more time 4 hate” training course, financed by INJUVE and the European Commission through Erasmus+ programme.
The main aim of the project was to equip youth workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop practical tools and counter-arguments to online hate speech which they can use in work with young people in their local communities.
During the first morning participants get to know each other through different non formal games, learn about the idea of the project and planned programme activities. In addition, they had also the chance to present their sending organizations and use the session for exchange of good practice and networking. In the afternoon, youngsters were introduced to the concept of Online Hate Speech, understanding in detail the difference between freedom of speech and what is prohibited. In the upcoming days, we discussed topics such as Hate Speech in Europe today, mentioning the European Convention on Human Rights, the new threat of radicalization and code of conduct – illegal online hate speech. Through different case studies debates participants were challenged to expose their opinion on topics related to the main project idea and also through role play games to understand how people who are often exposed on Hate Speech, feel in the real live. After numerous simulations, they were invited to say how they feel as a victims and what they will change in the future in order to help people don´t feel excluded and offended. During the last days of the training week, youngsters were teached on how to counter hate speech on internet and what they can do once they notice that hate speech exist.
Different Hate Speech Initiative, part of European commission programmes, were presented to the youngsters and they were also introduced on how to create effective communication campaign and engage as much as bigger audience.
In the last day, divided in teams, participants had the task to test their communication campaign, raising awareness on “No Hate Speech Movement” in our local community. In addition, photos of this outdoor campaign were sent to the official page of “No Hate Speech Movement”.
In the end of the mobility, after final evaluation of the training week, participants received their Youthpass certificates.
