Hatred, exclusion and verbal violence are increasingly a threat to our democracies, not only, but primarily online. Hate speech violates human rights, assails the culture of debate and solidarity, and drives people out of public space.

What do politics and civil society in Europe need to do to actively counteract hate speech on the internet, while at the same time protecting freedom of expression? What role can the Council of Europe play? And what can we learn from one another?

We cordially invite you to help to unpack the toxic package that is hate speech and to develop counter-strategies.

Digital Conference

„UNBOXING HATE SPEECH – European Impulses for Respect and Solidarity on the Web“
18 February 2021, 10.00 to 16.00

The conference is being organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. It is taking place within the framework of Germany’s Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

All information and the conference programme can be found here: 
https://www.fes.de/en/unboxing-hate-speech-konferenz

The public programme will be streamed live in German and English. You can participate in the discussion via chat and a number of surveys. In the Open Workspace you can try out practical approaches to counter speech with actors from the online community.

Registration is not required.

We are looking forward to your participation and to many good ideas on tackling hate speech online! 

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Conference attendees include Christine Lambrecht, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection // Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs // Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe // Michael Roth, Special Representative of the Federal Government for the German Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe // Louisa Dellert, influencer and businessperson, and many more.