From 4 to 7 April, young trainers and educators from the Nordic countries and regions gathered on Utøya Island, Norway, to strengthen their competences in human rights education aimed at combating hate speech, extremism, and xenophobia. The participants, aged 16–25, are actively involved in youth work, campaigns, networks, youth organisations, or other activities that promote young people’s engagement in addressing these issues in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.

 Over four days, participants explored and practiced human rights education and non-formal learning methods based on the Council of Europe educational resources such as Compass and Bookmarks. The training also provided a space for sharing experiences within the Nordic context and building networks.

 Following the activity, participants returned to their communities with a strong commitment to follow-up using human rights education as a tool for fostering resilient and inclusive societies.

 The training activity was organised by the European Wergeland Centre together with Stopp Hatprat (No Hate Speech Movement Norway) and the Utøya Learning Centre, in co-operation with the Council of Europe Youth Department within the Youth for Democracy programme.

Utøya is a commemoration and learning centre at the site of the terror attacks on 22 July 2011 that offers educational programmes and activities for youth in Norway and from other countries fighting for democracy, human rights, peace and reconciliation – locally, nationally and globally.