In a significant gathering aimed at combating online racism and xenophobia, the North-South Intercultural Conference took place in Kotor, Montenegro. The event brought together youth representatives, officials, and experts from various regions to discuss strategies for fostering digital resilience and promoting inclusive societies.
Key Takeaways
- Importance of Youth Involvement: Youth input is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by digital communication and online hate.
- Emerging Forms of Discrimination: New technologies have led to the rise of hate speech and discrimination, necessitating education and digital literacy.
- Collaborative Efforts: The conference emphasized the need for linking legal frameworks with social initiatives to combat online racism effectively.
Building Digital Resilience
At the opening of the conference, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge highlighted the necessity of building digital resilience to combat cyber hate. He stated, "Together, we must build digital resilience to combat cyber hate and foster inclusive, diverse societies, for the benefit of future generations. It’s all about dialogue." This sentiment resonated throughout the discussions, emphasizing the role of dialogue in addressing these pressing issues.
Addressing Legal and Social Frameworks
Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed the importance of linking existing legal frameworks with social initiatives. He noted that the interregional and supranational nature of online racism and xenophobia requires a coherent approach to prevent the escalation of such crimes in the digital sphere.
The Role of Education
Fatmir Gjeka, Minister of Human and Minority Rights, underscored the critical role of education in combating discrimination. He pointed out that hate speech has become one of the most challenging issues of our time, and promoting digital literacy is essential. "We need to teach users how to identify and respond to harmful content, especially content that carries discriminatory elements," he stated.
Tools and Strategies for Change
The conference also highlighted various tools and strategies to address online hate, including:
- Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: A framework for international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
- Committee of Ministers Recommendations: Guidelines for member states on combating hate crime.
- Youth Sector Strategy 2030: A roadmap for engaging youth in human rights education.
- European Youth Foundation: Support for youth initiatives across Europe.
The conclusions drawn from this conference will be integrated into future youth initiatives, including a new program called “Human Rights Education for Youth” (HEY), aimed at strengthening youth civil society across Europe, the Southern Mediterranean, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Conclusion
The North-South Intercultural Conference in Montenegro served as a vital platform for discussing youth strategies against online racism and xenophobia. By fostering dialogue, promoting education, and linking legal frameworks with social initiatives, participants aimed to create a more inclusive digital landscape for future generations. The collaborative efforts showcased at the conference highlight the importance of youth engagement in addressing these critical issues.
