Indietro Fostering Trust and Countering Hate Speech During Crisis

Purpose: This action aimed to address the disinformation and hate speech that circulated during the initial days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, particularly focusing on the evacuation of foreign students from the city of Sumy. The initiative highlighted the importance of intercultural solidarity and trust, with the goal of reinforcing Sumy’s role as a welcoming city for students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Stimulus/Rationale: The spread of false information during the first days of the invasion, including claims that foreign students were abandoned or held as hostages by the city and educational authorities created a need to combat these fake narratives and restore trust between the city, its foreign students, and the local community, while reinforcing Sumy’s intercultural mission and values.

Process: On June 5, 2024, Sumy State University (SumDU) hosted the presentation of the documentary “Going Beyond: The Story of the Evacuation of Foreign Students from Sumy (March 2022)” at the SumDU Congress Center. This powerful documentary became a key tool in combating the spread of misinformation and hate speech during the crisis, offering a first-hand account of the harrowing experiences of approximately 2,000 foreign students trapped in Sumy (located on the eastern border of Ukraine) during the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Fake claims and hate speech had previously been rapidly circulated, falsely accusing the local authorities of abandoning the students or using them as hostages.

In response to this misinformation, SumDU and city authorities took the initiative to create the documentary, which provided a platform for students to share their personal stories, thereby challenging the harmful narratives. The film not only captured the reality of their situation but also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the city administration, SumDU, diplomatic missions, local NGOs, and international humanitarian organizations that worked together to ensure the safe evacuation of students in the weeks following the invasion. “Going Beyond” also included emotional testimonies from the students, recounting their experiences and expressing gratitude for the essential support they received from SumDU, city authorities, and the international community during the crisis. During the film presentation, the foreign students, who have returned to their universities in Sumy regardless the ongoing conflict, also shared their experiences. The leadership of the university emphasised the swift and coordinated response that included providing vital supplies and securing the students’ safety throughout the evacuation process.

By showcasing these efforts, the documentary underscored the importance of collaboration and responsibility in times of crisis, reinforcing Sumy’s commitment to intercultural solidarity. It also highlighted how the community’s collective action countered the damaging effects of disinformation, demonstrating the city’s role in fostering trust, unity, and intercultural understanding even in the face of adversity.

Impact:

  • Countered the spread of misinformation and hate speech, restoring trust among the foreign student community, local authorities, and residents of Sumy.
  • Reinforced Sumy’s intercultural values and reputation as a city that supports its diverse student body, even in the face of adversity.
  • The successful evacuation and ongoing support of foreign students demonstrated the power of inter-sectoral collaboration in times of crisis.
  • The documentary highlighted the resilience of Sumy’s community, showcasing the critical role of the city's well-established intercultural values, of education and solidarity in overcoming challenges.

Key reference documents:

June 2024
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