Every year on 18 June, we support the celebration of the International Day for countering hate speech. During a meeting, Greece addressed the role that youth can play in countering hate speech, highlighting relevant initiatives for the protection of the rights of victims of hate crimes. Both online and offline, youth are at the forefront of efforts to combat hate speech. Their ability to use different types of media, their willingness to confront difficult issues and finally, their immersion into a gradually more progressive and inclusive educational system makes them invaluable agents in first identifying and later on combatting hate rhetoric on a global scale.
The International day coincides with the five-year mark since the launch of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech (May 2019), highlighting everyone’s ongoing commitment to this cause.