Training – Communicating in hostile environments: hate speech, polarization, misinformation, and politicisation of equality

This 1.5-day training will take place on 11-12 September 2025 (in person, ocation TBC, in conjunction with the Communication Working Group meeting and Training: Tackling hate speech in the times of disinformation and social media, linked to the Policy Formation Working Group meeting). It is aimed at members of the Communication Working Group.

Background

The increasing prevalence of hate speech especially on social media, amplified by the spread of disinformation, poses significant challenges to equality and non-discrimination across Europe. Equality issues have become a common trope in extremist speech that seeks to polarize and divide societies.

This issue is particularly relevant to Equinet members, who are at the forefront of protecting rights-holders across Europe. Equality Bodies’ awareness-raising efforts are often challenged by increasingly bold tactics by opponents of European values of equality and non-discrimination. As these members work to combat hate speech, they face the dual challenge of navigating rapidly evolving digital landscapes and addressing the nuanced interplay between freedom of expression and protection from discrimination.

Equinet’s mission emphasizes promoting equality, combating discrimination, and ensuring the effective implementation of European anti-discrimination laws. Previous Equinet initiatives, such as the publication “Extending the Agenda. Equality Bodies addressing Hate Speech” and the collaboration on the European Commission’s Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online, as well as a seminar and training underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. These efforts highlighted the need for continued and enhanced engagement, particularly as new forms of disinformation emerge, fuelling divisive narratives and inciting hatred.

Objectives

• Provide an overview of the current landscape, challenges faced by Equality Bodies, and strategies used to mitigate their impact
• Identify communication strategies to respond to misinformation and hate speech
• Analyse successful cases in awareness-raising strategies that can be used to bring equality to the forefront of the societal debates

Participants

The target audience of this training is members of the Communication Working Group.

For further information, contact Chiara D’Agni (chiara.dagni@equineteurope.org).