CLOSING REMARKS OF H.E. MR. NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL-NASSER
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
At the EU-UNAOC Symposium
on Hate Speech Against Migrants and Refugees in the Media
Brussels, 26 January 2017

Good evening,

I would like to once again Thank you all for joining us today.

Thank you all, to the speakers, moderators and rapporteurs who shared with us brilliant ideas to show the way forward to be the best possible means of providing positive narratives towards these vulnerable peoples that are already facing so many challenges.

Thank you for the great work of the European Union EEAS team. We are very pleased with our collaboration with you.

Let me also express my appreciation to my team who has put forth tremendous effort and commitment into making this Symposium a success.

Today’s discussions on hate speech against migrants and refugees in the media have proved to be extremely fruitful.

Your contributions, have helped us to get a better picture of the dynamics characterizing hate speech, as well as your recommendations to counteract and mitigate it.

Let me conclude by quoting Albert Einstein used to say: “Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science. Truth is what stands the test of experience.”

Today, Humanity must stand the test of racism and discrimination.

Humanity is at the essence of ethical journalism and balanced narratives towards migrants and refugees.

Therefore, we must stand all together with a determined effort, especially in these times, to prevent our society of becoming xenophobe, intolerant, close-minded, and poor.

We rely on your commitment and energy to help us build a future of diversity and peace for all.