Training course of trainers on addressing hate speech through human rights education and counter narratives’

Aims & objectives

Aim and objectives:
The training course aims to develop the competences of youth workers, youth leaders and educators to work with young people through human rights education to develop counter and alternative narratives to hate speech and violent radicalisation.

The training course objectives include to:
- Develop participants’ competences to address hate speech through human rights education
- Develop participants’ competences to use the counter and alternative narratives to promote human rights and democratic values
- Develop participants’ competences to use the manuals ‘Bookmarks’ and ‘We CAN’ with young people.
- Develop proposals for off-/online initiatives to address hate speech and violent radicalisation within the programmes of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Division (YTH) and Countering Violent Extremism Unit on the format of the No Hate Speech Movement of the Council of Europe
- Develop participants’ competences in creating effective peacebuilding and countering violent extremism programmes,
- Develop participants’ competence in supporting and managing youth-led peace networks or other youth-led groups

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

Ilaria Esposito -Council of Europe
Mansi Panjivani - India - COmmonwealth

Participants were selected from COmmonwealth countries around the world.

The training course invites 30-35 youth leaders, youth workers, educators and government officials active with young people on peace building, dialogue or human rights through awareness-raising and educational activities.

Participants will reflect the regional diversity of the Commonwealth and it is expected that participants from the following countries will be in attendance: Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Canada, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Australia.

Training methods used & main activities

human rights education and intercultural learning and non-formal educational methodologies and peacebuilding education.

Outcomes of the activity

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Council of Europe wished to strengthen their cooperation for the purpose of achieving their common aims within the context of the Commonwealth Charter and the Council of Europe conventions, Resolutions and recommendations for the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the Rule of Law. Partners were interested to explore the extension of the No Hate Speech Movement, its campaign methodology, resources and related initiatives, through a pilot into Commonwealth regions commencing with a training of trainers and educators.
.the 40 participants are still using resources after 2 years from the training and implemented their own social actions and stay in touch on WhatsApp.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Full time trainer.

Conceptual and practical knowledge and training experience regarding human rights, using human rights education and intercultural learning and non-formal educational methodologies
- Experience with using the manuals Bookmarks and/or We CAN! in trainings and/or youth campaigns;
- Conceptual and practical knowledge and training experience regarding: hate speech, racism, discrimination, online campaigning and online activism, counter and alternative narratives, peace building, intercultural and inter faith dialogue and learning
- Knowledge of the Council of Europe’s Youth campaign No Hate Speech Movement
- Working knowledge of English.
- Knowledge of Commonwealth youth programmes and Networks

I worked on this training for 6 days as a full time trainer.