UNAOC enlists MENA journalists in campaign to prevent incidents of hate speech
New York, 4 December 2017 — The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is organizing a symposium on the topic of hate speech against migrants and refugees in the media that will take place on 13 December 2017 in Cairo, Egypt, in collaboration with Egypt Media Development Program (EMDP).
In keeping with its mission to promote dialogue between cultures, civilizations, faiths, and peoples, and in the framework of its #SpreadNoHate initiative, this new UNAOC symposium will shed light on the various dimensions of migration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, their media coverage, and lessons learned by journalists.
“The influence of the media in shaping public opinion and in setting the agenda of public debates is crucial,” said the High Representative for UNAOC, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. “This new #SpreadNoHate Symposium will help draft additional recommendations for preventing negative narratives against migrants and refugees and mitigating the impact of hate speech.”
UNAOC invited a group of 80 carefully selected participants. Particular emphasis was placed on engaging journalists working in the MENA region. The #SpreadNoHate Symposium will also include migrants and refugees, representatives of international organizations, representatives of think-tanks, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
The symposium draws on the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants of 19 September 2016 and on its commitment to counter hate crimes, hate speech and racial violence. The symposium also dovetails with the United Nations TOGETHER initiative to change negative perceptions and attitudes towards refugees.
UNAOC will cover the symposium live on social media using the Twitter accounts @UNAOC. Questions can be asked, and comments can be shared online, using the hashtag #SpreadNoHate. For additional information about UNAOC’s #SpreadNoHate initiative, visit www.unaoc.org or email HateSpeech@unaoc.org.
About UNAOC: UNAOC is a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General established in 2005 and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey. UNAOC works to build bridges between societies, promote dialogue and understanding, and seeks to forge the collective political will required to accomplish these tasks. UNAOC works as a convener and facilitator to bring all sectors of society together to strengthen intercultural dialogue, diminish hostility, and promote harmony among the nations and cultures of the world. UNAOC’s activities are fashioned around the four pillars of Education, Youth, Migration, and Media. To read more about UNAOC’s projects and initiatives, visit www.unaoc.org.
Contact:
Mr. Thibault Chareton (UNAOC): thibaultc@unops.org; +1 (646) 306-8780
Mr. Ahmed Montasser (EMDP): ahmed@emdponline.com