Aims
Break down barriers between young refugees, youth workers and young people in Flanders, empower young refugees through youth work methods and inspire youth work organisations to involve young refugees in their activities

Actions
Youth work organisations join forces to make a difference for young refugees arriving in Belgium by providing activities in a refugee centre for unaccompanied minors. The activities are carried out by voluntary youth workers from over 20 different organisations taking turns to provide activities at weekends. The activities consist of informal games and educational activities, such as music and media-related workshops. After the activities, the volunteers reflect on their experiences by posting videos on a website connected to the project: www.wereldspelers.be. This website serves as a digital learning platform where stories are shared to inspire and inform other youth workers. Over 200 youth workers have been involved in the project. The project plans to expand to other refugee centres and places where young refugees live

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Barriers of ignorance and mistrust are broken through dialogue and encounter. Young people in Belgium are exposed to new views and what it means to be a young refugee in Flanders. Hearing a story from a person directly affected by an issue and having the possibilities to ask questions openly is vital to breaking down barriers of fear, mistrust and biased information

Useful tools
www.wereldspelers.be and blog.nohatespeechmovement.org/worldplayers-youthwork-without-borders

A project by
De Ambrassade, an organisation that is committed to youth, youth work, youth policy and youth information in Belgium

Geographical scope
Flanders, Belgium

Learn more
www.wereldspelers.be

Interesting!
These activities show the many possibilities for youth work to enable integration. Youth work is an environment where it is acceptable for young people to fail, and where they grow and learn responsibility. It is an open space to play, experiment and most importantly to experience what it means to work together in a group setting. This project demonstrates the possibility to take on the responsibility as a sector to reach all children and youngsters, including young refugees, and offer them these great advantages

Aims
To raise awareness about human rights, especially the right to asylum and the need to react to hate speech against asylum seekers

Actions
A series of video interviews with activists, youth workers, and young people were recorded in a cabin, and published online on 20 June 2016, the European Action Day on the Rights of Refugees. Five questions were asked with a maximum of 30 seconds to answer each question (Being an asylum seeker is…? Is it going through …? How can you combat hate speech online?)

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The interviews allowed participants and viewers to hear various perspectives on the same issue, in this case, hate speech online targeting refugees, and the need to fight against it

Useful tools
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HST1VvWvFcM&feature=youtu.be&list=PLyizA7QCAlW25LL4D0md7LWvkAp-ty2Gv

A project by
No Hate Speech Movement Belgium (French-speaking) – Bureau International Jeunesse (BIJ)

Geographical scope
Belgium (French speaking)

Learn more
www.nonalahaine.be

Interesting!
A common characteristic among participants are the messages of hope and positivity, encouraging viewers to engage online, express empathy and be creative through counter speeches

Aims
To foster attitudes and skills of democratic citizenship online and offline, such as critical thinking, creativity, empathy and responsibility

Actions
This simulation board game was developed by four young people as a pedagogical tool in educational and awareness-raising activities. It is intended for young people from 10 years of age

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The game confronts players with commonly encountered expressions of stereotypes and hate speech. It invites them to reflect on them, and think about how to respond to them in a creative way. It is based on a narrative of human rights, equality and co-operation

Useful tools
A DVD “Ce qui vous regarde… No Hate” (In French, “What Concerns You…No Hate”)

A project by
WediActivists, members of the Belgian National Committee co-ordinated for French-speaking activities by Bureau International Jeunesse (BIJ), with the support of Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (WediA is a contraction for “We are the media”)

Geographical scope
The game is available in libraries, social and youth centres and NGOs in Belgium (French-speaking) and was played internationally. Translation and reproduction is taking place in 2016-2017 (Some versions are already available in France, Hungary, The Netherlands, Quebec, Serbia, and Switzerland)

Learn more
www.nonalahaine.be/outil30:wediactivists-jeu-d-eveil-a-la-cyber-citoyennete and www.dvdlc.be/projets/wediactivists

Interesting!
This game is an excellent example of experiential learning in which young people can learn and put skills into practice at the same time 

Aims
To challenge hate speech in the form of graffiti on a wall by transforming the messages and images into a new and positive space of creativity and expression of love

Actions
Campaign activists produced a communal anti-hate work of art together with the initiative “Hate Destroyer”, Finnish artists and the festival crowd. Offensive and racist symbols vanished when thousands of festival-goers left their messages supporting equality and approval on the anti-hate wall. The action was supported by the German Hate Destroyer Irmela Mensah-Schramm, who has spent years removing or revising every item of graffiti, sticker and poster inciting discrimination or hatred which she has come across in Berlin

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The activity challenged a racist, homophobic and neo-nazi narrative expressed in symbols and words on the wall. It did so by using the same space to paint new symbols and words by and on the original paintings. The new symbols and words propose a different narrative, that of love, and respect for diversity and human rights

Useful tools
A video showing the wall’s transformation and participation

A project by
Finnish National Committee co-ordinated by Plan Finland

Geographical scope
Helsinki, but it inspired others in other locations through the online dissemination of the video

Learn more
eivihapuheelle.fi/language/en

Interesting!
The action used a creative art technique to challenge hateful images, and messages challenging a hateful narrative on a public space with one based on the values of respect, human dignity, rights and diversity. It transformed a public space, and sensitised and engaged festival participants and passers-by

Aim
To rally opposition to hate speech and neo-Nazism by challenging stereotypes and biases and discovering that, despite differences, people share a common humanity, with similar concerns and hopes

Actions
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Council’s Youth Department staged a Living Library on 30 September and 1 October 2014 at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.  A living library works like a conventional one: “readers” can borrow a “book” for 20 minutes, with the difference that the books are people. In this case, the “books” were victims of racist violence and hate speech (particularly refugees and Roma), members of associations active in combating extremism, Antisemitism, racism and homophobia, as well as former neo-Nazis, who offered their personal testimony

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The Living Library invites participants to discover the story behind the cover. The message against extremism and prejudice is “Don't judge a book by its cover!” and it encourages participants to challenge their own assumptions and negative prejudices and stereotypes. The method also shows that each person has his/her own story and interpretation of reality

Useful tools
Don't judge a book by its cover! The Living Library Organiser's Guide 2011

A project by
No Hate Speech Movement – Council of Europe Youth Department

Geographical scope
Strasbourg, France, but adapted and replicated in several locations across Europe

Learn more
www.coe.int/t/dg4/eycb/Programme/livinglibrary_en.asp and blog.nohatespeechmovement.org/a-living-library-to-say-no-hate-no-extremism

Interesting!
This method encourages everyone to be a storyteller and a reader. It is powerful as it builds on the power of a personal encounter and honest dialogue

Aims
Increase awareness about hate speech online through satirical memes and videos, encourage young people to get involved in combating hate speech online and support young people through a network of organisations

Actions
The campaign has developed satirical pictures, videos and games, such as the “Hate Speech Bingo”
A website offers information about the legal framework regulating hate speech in Germany

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Memes and clips use satire and humour as a method. For instance, clips start with a nerdy official from the “Bundestrollamt”, or, in English, the Official Agency against Trolls, giving facts about hate speech, but also adding humorous information. Then a person who has experienced hate speech online is shown, reacting to a hate speech message in an ironic way, stressing the absurdity of the message. The clips also aim at demonstrating that not one person suffers hate speech alone, but rather a lot of different people have similar experiences and can offer support and solidarity to each other. “Fighting hate speech online does not need to be sad, emotional or even dangerous, it can be fun. No-one should be afraid to counter hate speech”, the organisers explained

Useful tools
Memes, videos and links to other organisations can be found on the website no-hate-speech.de. One of the videos is translated into English (no. 5). This video deals with anti-Muslim racism and features Nemi, a Muslim girl, experiencing hate speech online. She reads out some hate comments she received online, responding to them in an ironic manner bit.ly/2bvj1VV

A project by
The not-for-profit association Neue deutsche Medienmacher e.V. co-ordinates the No Hate Speech Movement in Germany and is supported by a large national network, comprising civil society and government actors. The association aims at increasing diversity in the media and fostering the interests of media professionals with a migration background

Geographical scope
Germany

Learn more
no-hate-speech.de

Interesting!
The developers explained that “Facts often do not work with haters, so in our opinion the best thing one can do is use satire and humour to counter hate speech. […] People need courage and humour to counter hate speech, which is why we offer satirical memes and videos to support them”.
The interactive character of the website aims at encouraging others to get involved in fighting hate speech online. In addition, the clips as well as the memes are very entertaining

Aims
To provoke counter actions and counter narratives to hate speech
To celebrate the power and braveness of human rights defenders and their counter narratives to hate

Actions
With the methodology of invisible theatre, a social experiment was carried out:  hate speech offences were simulated (performed) in a public space and passers-by had to react to them. At the end, the players revealed themselves and the aim of the “show”, and gave positive feedback to those who had made any defending act or tried to help

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
This experiential method shows how different stories and outcomes are possible when there is a strong sense of justice if people have internalised a narrative of human rights, respect for diversity and equality

Useful tools
A video of one of the performances: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmUNTvctKQ8

A project by
Tudatos Ifjúságért Alapítvány, Nem Privát Színház, Invisible Heroes. This microproject was part of a long-term project funded by the EEA Grants: Gentle Words Against Hate, implemented by Hope for Children Hungary – REGY

Geographical scope
The project was carried out three times by the youth NGOs: twice at summer music festivals (Debrecen, Szeged) during summer 2015, and once in Budapest in the metro

Learn more
www.bongeszo.eu/#mintaprojektek (in Hungarian)

Interesting!
Participatory theatre in the public space is a powerful methodology for engaging and challenging people through an actual experience. Through taking part, participants learnt how to act when they witnessed an act of discrimination or intolerance

Aims
To deconstruct stereotypes, to raise awareness about prejudices, and to use artistic ways of expression (a photo exhibition) to reach out to a wider public

Actions
A professional photographer took pictures of different members of a small community, a town of 30,000 inhabitants, from two perspectives. The people portrayed in the project were renowned in their community for their special characteristics, often viewed by the public in a stereotypical way, for example, “stupid blonde”, “tattooed bad guy”, or “the gipsy guy”. The photo series showed them first with their “stereotyped look” and again with a genuine look, introducing their real personalities, something which is a part of the hidden part of the iceberg. The pictures were shown to the public within the framework of an exhibiton in Orosháza and in several other cities

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
This method managed to challenge stereotypes and show how important it is to discover the various layers of one person’s identity  

Useful tools
Some of the pictures are available at lemon.hu/2016/01/31/ne-itelj-elsore-provokativ-fotosorozatot-keszitettek-oroshazan

A project by
Orosházi Gyermek- és Ifjúsági Önkormányzat (Children and Youth Self-Government Orosháza), the micro-project was part of a long-term project funded by the EEA Grants: Gentle Words Against Hate, implemented by Hope for Children Hungary – REGY

Geographical scope
The exhibition travelled to several other cities and was also displayed at the European Youth Centre Budapest on the occasion of the closing conference of the Gentle Words Against Hate project

Learn more
www.bongeszo.eu/#mintaprojektek (in Hungarian)

Interesting!
The approach plays with the problem of pop culture or media, and the manipulative intention and impacts of a photographer’s gaze and staging

Aims
To fight hate speech with art, humour and love speech!

Actions
This project developed videos, poster materials and memes to challenge the viewer to question often-heard arguments which fuel hate speech. The project started in October 2013 in Lisbon with a creative writing workshop and a meeting in which the idea of the No Hate Ninjas came up. Project participants decided to publish one meme with a message against hate speech each day for a month, starting on 9 November 2013, the European Action Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism. Following its success, an exhibition of the posters of the memes was organised; it toured all over Portugal in 2014-2015 and six countries across Europe

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The memes question basic arguments underlying hate speech narratives and/or put forward a positive story. In their first one they wrote, “If people didn’t migrate there would be no life outside Africa”. They use two techniques: 1) a counter-factual analysis, or, in other words “what would have happened if the principles haters want to apply, no migration. The haters would not even exist because there would be no people living outside of Africa” 2) implicitly recalling scientific evidence that shows that, in the evolution of human societies, groups moved from Africa to other continents

Useful tools
The Ninja’s produced a five-minute video: “No Hate Ninja Project – A Story About Cats, Unicorns and Hate Speech”, explaining why hate speech spreads so easily online and why that is a problem.

A project by
Portuguese Network of Young People for Gender Equality and PAR (Respostas Socias), National Campaign Committee of Portugal, co-ordinated by the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth

Geographical scope
Portugal, online dissemination and exhibitions at the European Youth Centre in Budapest, Hungary, Turkey (Akdeniz University), Spain (Mollina), Serbia, Cyprus and Belgium

Learn more
www.odionao.com.pt
On Twitter #OdioNao
On Facebook www.facebook.com/campanhaodionao and www.facebook.com/nohateninjas

Interesting!
30 artistic, creative and thought-provoking memes were produced. They were shared online and form the basis of a poster exhibition that toured Portugal and other European countries. The group also organised flashmobs, created videos and facilitated workshops with the goal of spreading a love message, tackling hate speech, as well as promoting creativity and activism

Aims
To promote the participation and mobilisation of young people in the defence of human rights

Actions
A video competition was organised (21 May to 30 June 2014). Young people aged 15-29 were invited to create and submit their own one-minute video through the web of the campaign in Spain www.nohate.es. The creators of the 10 most voted-for videos won a tablet. In total, 27 videos were produced. The idea behind the video competition was to show that anyone who wants can actively participate and propose ideas. Making the videos allowed young people to express their views and engage directly with the campaign

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The activity implied analysing stereotypes and prejudices underpinning hate speech, and practising key communication skills through the making of the videos: how to put forward a counter or alternative message by using facts and humour. This process allowed them to critically review hate narratives and expressions of hate speech, and develop alternative narratives of human rights and dignity online. The initiative encouraged young people to express their views, how they see the problem of hate speech and possible solutions. Young people themselves were able to raise awareness among other young people about expressions of intolerance and hate online. The activity encouraged young people to develop their knowledge on the topic, their creativity and several skills necessary to produce a video: defining a message, finding facts to support their message, exploring how to use humour, filming and editing the video, and in some cases acting, drawing and practising a foreign language

Useful tools
A webpage which hosted the videos and facilitated the voting: www.nohate.es/concurso

A project by
Instituto de la Juventud (Spanish Youth Institute) in co-operation with the Spanish Youth Council and Movement Against Intolerance (Movimiento contra la Intolerancia)

Geographical scope
Spain

Learn more
www.nohate.es
www.facebook.com/nohatespain
twitter.com/nohate_speech

Interesting!
The fact that the videos had to be voted for encouraged young people to share them with their friends and acquaintances, and, at the same time, watch the produced videos by other teams

Aim
To raise awareness and facilitate dialogue about hate speech through the use of film and debates

Actions
A series of film were shown, followed by a discussion on different topics. This activity was organised on the occasion of Action Days of the campaign

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Cinema is a powerful form of art and communication for conveying narratives

Useful tools
Guide on how to organise a CineForum Day: blog.nohatespeechmovement.org/organise-a-cineforum-on-8th-march
watchinghumanrights.org and Films for Action www.filmsforaction.org

A project by
Euro-Mediterranean Resources Network (Euro-Mernet)

Geographical scope
United Kingdom and activities in the Euro-Mediterranean countries

Interesting!
“The clever use of art, film, radio and cultural exchange will help break down the barriers that create division and hostility.” Paul Giannasi, Head of the Government Hate Crime Programme (UK)
“We watch, enjoy, laugh, relax, discuss and explore fascinating facts about other cultures. Thanks, Euro-Mernet Film Club. And goodbye, stereotypes.” Maria, regular guest at the film club

Aims
To debunk some common and contemporary myths about Jews in order to counter antisemitism

Actions
As antisemitism is on the increase in Europe, a leaflet is used in educational and awareness-raising activities to debunk some of the most common myths and misconceptions about Europe’s Jewish populations

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The leaflet quotes the most common (7) myths about Jews in Europe, and provides historical facts and insights from a variety of sources discrediting and deconstructing these persistent yet incorrect beliefs about Jews

Useful tools
www.enar-eu.org/IMG/pdf/debunkingmyths_lr.pdf

A project by
The European Network Against Racism (ENAR)

Geographical scope
Europe

Learn more
www.enar-eu.org/Debunking-myths-about-Jews

Interesting!
The leaflet has been the basis of some discussions and information sessions amongst ENAR members, in order to continue countering antisemitism as part of the anti-racism movement, and build solidarity and alliances among communities. Some partners have shown an interest in translating the leaflet into other European languages ; ENAR is grateful to those interested in translating the initiative, as long as ENAR is credited as the author

Aims
To engage young people around the importance of fighting Antisemitic speech and bolstering new media advocacy against hate speech

Actions
This project monitors traditional and new media to uncover Antisemitic acts and speech by journalists and public figures. When Antisemitic content is detected, it is exposed and complaint mechanisms are activated www.getthetrollsout.org/what-we-do/complaints.html

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Findings from media monitoring are the basis for developing satirical cartoons, inclusive articles and videos which expose false claims and lies in antisemitic narratives. The project also uses radio and theatre to talk about the topic and to help raise awareness of the dangers of antisemitism

Useful tools
Short Guide on Counter Speech on Twitter: www.stoppinghate.getthetrollsout.org
Linguistic Self-Defence Guide Against antisemitism: www.getthetrollsout.org/education.html
The two guides are available in English, French, Greek and Hungarian

A project by
The Media Diversity Institute (UK) and ICFJ (USA) in partnership with CEJI, CIJ, LICRA, and Symbiosis

Geographical scope
The project’s actions are mostly focused in five countries: Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary and the United Kingdom, but they also engage with groups in other European countries and beyond through their online tools and actions

Learn more
www.getthetrollsout.org

Interesting!
The use of cartoons for sensitisation purposes: www.getthetrollsout.org/what-we-do/cartoons

Aims
To break down barriers between recently-arrived refugees and Europeans

Actions
A social experiment and video based on a theory that four minutes of uninterrupted eye contact increases intimacy. Amnesty International Poland and Polish ad agency DDB&Tribal applied the theory, developed by psychologist Arthur Aron in 1997, to the refugee crisis, seating refugees from Syria and Somalia opposite people from Belgium, Italy, Germany, Poland and the UK, with overwhelmingly positive results. It was filmed in Berlin in April 2016

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
This is an example of an alternative narrative, as it shows positive interaction in which empathy and listening to the story of the other are central elements. The video humanises an issue, showing the actual people behind the numbers and headlines, people who have families, friends, their own stories, dreams and goals. The main message was, “Borders exist between countries, not people”, explained Draginja Nadażdin, director of Amnesty International Poland

Useful tools
The video itself can be used as a pedagogical tool:
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/05/look-refugees-in-the-eye

A project by
Amnesty International Poland and DDB&Tribal

Geographical scope
Mostly Europe, but spread globally through social media and news outlets

Learn more
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/05/look-refugees-in-the-eye

Interesting!
In three months: YouTube views: 555,553; Amnesty International Facebook views: 2.8 million; NowThis News views 10 million; AJ+ views: 15 million!

Aims
To help young people to leave Nazi, racist or other extremist movements

Actions
In this project, young people get help both from professional social workers and from people who have left the Nazi movement themselves. Exit offers everything from just listening to their stories to helping them create a new life. The organisation also educates schools, authorities, the police, the correctional system, social workers and parents in how to deal with Nazism / racism. Exit has also helped authorities in Germany to start a similar project and has a broad network of professional contacts all over the world

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
The stories demystifying the narratives of white supremacy and racism become powerful when told by former Nazis themselves. It is not only the facts in the message, but the messengers that make the message credible

Useful tools
A slide show explaining the experience is available at slideplayer.com/slide/9436052
A presentation by Robert Örell, director of the Exit Sweden, explains the transformation of individuals engaging in violent extremism and shares ideas on how to counter it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNIgKsb1QbA

A project by
Fryshuset

Geographical scope
Sweden

Learn more
fryshuset.se/in-english
exit.fryshuset.se

Interesting!
Robert Örell talked in his presentation (see details above) about the power of unexpected kindness when helping people to leave extremists movements. He explained that many people who had left violent extremism talked about the importance of experiencing unexpected kindness from others, especially those they perceived as their enemies. Experiencing kindness and respect motivated them to re-think what they were doing and find new ways of thinking about their lives

Aims
To alert young people to the dangers of violence as a means of political change
To mentor at-risk youth and support them in becoming peace agents
To connect young people across the globe, demonstrating interdependence and common humanity

Actions
Serve2Unite has a programme of global mentors to support young people to become peacebuilders.
Søren Lerche is one of them. He is a project manager and educator from Denmark who uses his experience as a former left-wing violent extremist to relate to at-risk youth in international gang intervention and prevention efforts. Søren Lerche was raised as a pacifist in Denmark, but radicalised towards political violence when he was 20 years old. He spent the next eight years as a militant left-wing extremist, leading violent gangs of communists and anarchists against Neo-Nazi groups in Europe. A prison stint evoked a period of introspection that revealed the futility of fighting hate and violence with more of the same. After 10 years of soul-searching, Søren realised that empathy and understanding for all human beings had the capacity to build a peaceful existence from the inside out. Today Søren is an educator who mentors at-risk youth and brings international peace agents together, empowering human beings to care for each other worldwide

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Søren’s personal story deconstructs narratives of violent heroism, showing that hate and violence are futile ; he proposes an alternative narrative, that change is possible though constructive active engagement

Useful tools
A video is available at: serve2unite.org/project/how-did-you-leave-the-gang

A project by
Serve2Unite

Geographical scope
United States – Europe

Learn more
serve2unite.org/soren-lerche
www.facebook.com/s2upeacemakers/posts/975463925884989

Interesting!
Søren Lerche coaches the group “Escuela verde” in the US as a Global Mentor for Serve2Unite through webcam sessions to overcome the physical distance. Escuela Verde students from the inner city of Milwaukee were inspired to talk to a man from Denmark who had left gang-life behind, and were moved by how much they had in common with him

Aims
To contribute to the prevention of radicalisation and processes of de-radicalisation through support measures for families and professionals working with young people

Actions
To offer support advice and supervision to those families and professionals working with young people

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
This work was inspired by the novels of Dounia Bouzar which describe with realism the process of radicalisation of young people and their daily life once they joined ISIS. The aim is to show the strategies used by recruiters, and to deconstruct the jihadist narrative

Useful tools
Videos, articles and publications, including novels about the stories of young people´s radicalisation journeys and the struggle of their families to find them
For example, the 2015 novel La vie après Daesh (in English, Life after ISIS), or Ils cherchent le paradis, ils ont trouvé l’enfer (2014) (in English, They looked for paradise, they found hell)

A project by
Centre de Prévention, de Deradicalisation et de Suivi Individuel (CPDSI)

Geographical scope
France

Learn more
www.cpdsi.fr

Interesting!
This association publishes tools about radicalisation and de-radicalisation in order to help professionals and parents

Aims
To uses storytelling to explore how ideas around forgiveness, reconciliation and conflict resolution can be used to impact positively on people’s lives, through the personal testimonies of both victims and perpetrators of crime and violence

Actions
Awareness – shift culture by collecting, curating and sharing personal stories of transformation; to raise public awareness by amplifying these stories across multiple platforms, encouraging debate and engaging opinion-formers with the discourse, for example, through the website, (social) media and exhibitions
Influence – enable audiences to experience and engage at a deeper level with our resources and story-tellers in order to promote understanding, tolerance and empathy, for example, through workshops, events and educational resources
Transformation – enable personal and social transformation through the delivery of programmes across a wide range of audiences and client groups
At a time of growing social divisions and religious fundamentalism, the project has gained a solid reputation for fostering tolerance, building an appetite for difference, and providing people with tools to break the vicious cycle of harm, retaliation and pay-back

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Narrative learning techniques are used to present alternatives to cycles of conflict, violence, crime and injustice. Stories are collected on a website and shared through a number of activities

Useful tools
Chapter 28, ‘Forgiveness and Reconciliation’, from The Community Toolbox, to study forgiveness and reconciliation in community settings, and learn how to apply these concepts to improve individual and community outcomes: ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/spirituality-and-community-building/forgiveness-and-reconciliation/main

A project by
The Forgiveness Project, a UK-based secular organisation working with people of all faiths and none, in communities, prisons, schools, faith groups and with anyone wishing to explore peaceful solutions to conflict

Geographical scope
Global

Learn more
theforgivenessproject.com

Interesting!
The Project builds on stories of forgiveness, healing and hope

Aims
To increase the amount of accurate and unbiased reporting on the bilateral relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, and to foster a co-operative network of editors, journalists, bloggers and media NGOs from Armenia and Azerbaijan

Actions
The project produced a study on public attitudes and trust toward the media and a glossary of hate speech in Armenian and Azerbaijani media; it also offered training courses on unbiased coverage of conflicts for journalists, bloggers and editors

Counter and alternative narratives as a method
Journalists, bloggers and editors play a key role in mitigating bias and negative stereotypes, for example, by carefully considering the terms used when writing about the “other”. Language is an important tool for building dialogue and trust among groups in conflict

Useful tools
Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations in Media of Armenia and Azerbaijan:
epfarmenia.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Armenia-Azerbaijan-relations-in-media-in-English.pdf
Glossary of Hate Speech in the Media of Armenia and Azerbaijan (2008-2013):
epfarmenia.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/glossary_eng-1.pdf
Not War and Not Peace – documentary (English subtitles), part 1: vimeo.com/11709094; part 2: vimeo.com/11709266
Conflict Transformation School and critical thinking methodology:
am.epfarmenia.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Conflict-Transformation-School_EPF-Armenia_Annual-Report_2016.pdf

A project by
Eurasia Partnership Foundation, Armenia, and Eurasia Partnership Foundation, Azerbaijan

Geographical scope
Armenia and Azerbaijan

Learn more
EPF’s Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue Program:
www.epfarmenia.am/en/current-programs/cross-border/armenia-azerbaijan

Interesting!
“The project developed a variety of creative products such as documentary films, research reports, media monitoring reports, a Media Bias Glossary, joint cartoons, articles, blogs, and a fiction book. These products constitute a valuable asset which could be used in future activities and as a foundation for future projects. In this respect, the project worked as a highly effective creative laboratory for joint cross-border, media-related activities”