UNESCO's participation in the Public Hearing on the prevention of radicalisation
©UNESCO
On 15 October, Guy Berger, UNESCO Director of the Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development, took part in a Public Hearing at the European Parliament, on the “prevention of radicalisation”. Chaired by MEP Ms Silvia Costa, the event was organized by the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament with the objective to discuss the prevention and countering of youth radicalisation in the European Union.
During the Hearing, Guy Berger offered a comprehensive analysis of the role of media and the Internet in countering hate speech, promoting intercultural dialogue and building lasting peace.
“UNESCO stands for the free flow of information. Counter speech as part of pluralistic information is an important antidote to hate speech. If freedom of expression online can be misused to spread hate and violence, reliable and credible media can expose extremist propaganda and mobilize for dialogue and mutual understanding,” said M. Berger.
Guy Berger presented UNESCO’s responses to youth radicalisation among others UNESCO’s media and information literacy programs empowering the youth to become key actors in preventing and countering violent extremist content online.
“Another response of UNESCO is to mobilize and empower media professionals with conflict-sensitive reporting skills and creating new online platforms of dialogues for vulnerable groups and young people”.
On the same day, Mr Berger met with various representatives of the European Commission to work on future venues of cooperation.
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