19 November 2015 - 14.00-15.30 - Room 1, Palais de l'Europe, Interpretation: FR/EN/GR - Sponsored by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Hate speech and prejudices in society are a threat to democratic principles as they undermine fundamental rights and particularly freedom of expression, by using them as a pretext for insulting and humiliating individuals and groups. Hate speech often targets diversity and represents a powerful obstacle to social cohesion. This lab showcases innovative initiatives to prevent hate speech and prejudices in diverse societies.
Initiative 1
No Hate Parliamentary Alliance, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
The No Hate Parliamentary Alliance is composed of parliamentarians committed to taking open stands against racism, hatred and intolerance on whatever grounds and however they manifest themselves. The Alliance was launched in January 2015; 41 members of the Parliamentary Assembly have joined it so far. Its main goals are to raise awareness among politicians and civil society against racism and intolerance and to promote non-discrimination and respect for diversity. Partners of the Alliance include national parliaments and national committees of the Council of Europe “No Hate Speech Movement”.
Ms Milena SANTERINI, Member of Parliament and Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, General Rapporteur on Combating Racism and Intolerance
Milena Santerini is Full professor of Pedagogy and Director of the Centre for Research on Intercultural Relations at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan. She has promoted research and training activities on plurilingualism, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, and social projects on racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and anti-gypsism. In 2013 she was elected member of the Italian Parliament and joined the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Since April 2015, as General rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance of the Parliamentary Assembly, she coordinates the activities of the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance.
Tackling stereotypes by applying an anti-rumor model was the aim of the workshop implemented at “Saint Stefan” prison of Patras (Western Greece) benefiting prisoners (men). It aimed to: Challenge existing misconceptions and prejudices about immigrants, combat underreporting in the field of discrimination, contribute to good relations between different groups, promote equal rights and opportunities for all, build understanding through interaction and explore stereotypes that contribute to discrimination on the ground of ethnicity and religion.
Presenter(s)
Mr Antonios ZIKOS, Greece, Director of “Saint Stefan” prison of Patras
Antonios Zikos is the director of “Saint Stefan” prison of Patras (area of Achaia - Western Greece). He has been a public servant, holding different types of positions supervised by the Ministry of Justice in Attica. He shares knowledge through training about ICT, financing and administrative procedures as well as quality services for citizens based on equality. He applies anti-discrimination principles in the prison school and in the prison premises.
The counter-speech platform reestablishes links between citizens to counter "hate speech" thanks to the digital. To tackle hate speech issues on the Internet, Renaissance Numérique promotes a platform that allows anyone to report an abuse. As soon as the request is submitted, a warning is sent to volunteers gathered in teams (e.g. psychologists or associations) among which, one of them is selected to begin a well-argued dialogue with the hate-discourse author. It's high time to show again policy-makers how the Internet can be used by citizens as an unbelievable democratic tool.
Presenter(s)
Mr Guillaume BUFFET, France, Founder and President of Renaissance Numérique
Guillaume has been involved in the French digital ecosystem for 20 years: President of IAB (interactive Advertising Bureau, 2001-2005), and senior advisor to the Club Senat (2006-2008). Guillaume co-founded Renaissance Numérique and has been its President since 2009. Formerly partner of a web agency from 1992 until 2008, Guillaume has been dedicated to Digital transformation consulting from 2009. He has since advised large public and private entities on their digital strategy. He’s now CEO of U a Digital transformation platform established in 2015. He recently worked with leading consulting firms on themes relating to “digital transformation”. He’s involved with several start-ups in France: J’en crois pas mes yeux, an innovative web-programme dealing with issues around Handicaps and Diversity, and Starting Dot, a major European player in the new internet extensions (.archi, .bio, .ski…).
Discussants are invited to take part in the Labs in order to share their experience with the presented democratic initiatives and try to bring broader perspectives to the following discussions.
Ms Cécile KYENGE, Italy, Member of the European Parliament
Cécile Kyenge, an Italian national, is a member of the European Parliament since May 2014. She is a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, substitute member of the Committee on Culture and Education and a member of Delegation for relations with the Pan African Parliament. She is also Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the ACP-EU. In March 2015, the European Parliament gave Cécile Kyenge the role of co-rapporteur of the report on the initiative "the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a comprehensive EU approach to migration". Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cécile Kyenge arrived in Italy in 1983 where she obtained a degree in medicine and surgery and specialization in ophthalmology. She was elected to the Italian Parliament in 2013, having been Minister for Integration until 2014. For a long time, she has been in charge of immigration, integration and the fight against racism. She was appointed Chief Observer of the EU Mission of Electoral Observation in Burkina Faso in October 2015.
Moderator
Mr Pierre-Yves LE BORGN, France, Member of Parliament and Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Pierre-Yves Le Borgn' is an international lawyer and French politician, member of the French Socialist Party and of the Party of European Socialists. He has been a member of the French parliament since June 2012 as the elected representative of French citizens living in Central Europe and the Balkans. He earned a law degree in Nantes and a degree from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris before continuing his studies at the College of Europe in Bruges, where he obtained an LL.M. He subsequently worked in the United States, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany. Before his election, he held a senior management position in the renewable energy industry. He has exercised various responsibilities within the Socialist Party, of which he has been a member since 1988, including that of First Secretary of the Federation of French People Abroad until his election to the French parliament. He has been a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since June 2013.
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