Children from the Primary School “8 September“ in Pirot had an opportunity today to better understand the importance of countering hate speech, racism, and discrimination. They took part in a workshop organised as part of the joint campaign of the European Union and the Council of Europe, “Block the hatred. Share the love!"
The event was opened by the school principal Olgica Najdanovic, Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and Snezana Vukovic, Head of Department for Human and Minority Rights in Education at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, also addressed the audience. After the opening remarks the children could see and discuss the exhibition of children’s artworks, and to talk with the young European ambassadors Teodora Cekic and Adrijana Nikitovic.
School principal, Olgica Najdanovic, pointed out that the school "8 September" has been trying for many years to give every child equal chance to develop into a healthy, free, happy, and creative personality. "By participating in the Quality education for all action, we have been developing competencies for the development of democratic culture for three years. Through numerous joint activities, we have been working together on acceptance and respect for diversity, on co-operation, intercultural dialogue, positive views and appreciation of others, responsibility for one's own actions," said Najdanovic.
Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, said: “The internet campaign “Block the hatred, share love” focusses on young people who spend a lot of time online. This is also the key message of the Council of Europe’s work for equality and diversity in Serbia. Being aware and acting for human rights of everyone is a crucial element of the competences for a democratic culture that we hope children will acquire, here in Pirot, in Serbia and all over Europe”.
The campaign is being implemented in co-operation with the action “Quality education for all”. On behalf of this action Snezana Vukovic, Head of Department for Human and Minority Rights in Education pointed out: “Schools in Serbia have the opportunity to improve the quality of work through the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture, in implementing the activities of the “Quality Education for all” action together with the Council of Europe. Primary School “8. September” is an example of how the school and us as the action participant develops the competencies of children and teaching staff in this area. Such co-operation also gives us the opportunity to plan the third phase of the action and the dissemination of the knowledge among other schools”.
The "Block the hatred. Share the love!” campaign aims to combat various forms of hate speech directed at certain communities and individuals in Serbia, especially those of sensitive and minority groups. The Internet allows freedom in the expression of different opinions and creates the impression that the remain comments do not leave traces on the people to whom they are addressed. In the online world, anyone can become a victim of hate speech, regardless of social status, age, and gender. Hate speech most often affects vulnerable groups of people such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities.
Campaign „Block the hatred. Share the love!” is taking place online, through social media pages (Facebook; Instagram; Twitter), as well as through public events. These activities involve prominent public figures, institutions, and activists, who will promote diversity and equality in Serbia and the region through personal experiences, testimonies, and exchange of good practices.
The campaign is implemented within the action “Promotion of diversity and equality in Serbia”, that is a part of joint European Union and Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022". This programme supports key local actors and beneficiary institutions in Serbia and the Western Balkans in the fight against discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes directed against minorities, LGBTI people and other vulnerable groups of the Serbian society.
