A training workshop on developing positive narratives on gender equality issues, based on the Guidance on developing positive narratives in the context of anti-gender rhetoric produced by the Council of Europe Gender Equality Commission. The workshop explores how to apply value-based communication to issues of gender equality and women’s rights, to attract wider support and to counter negative trends and behaviour in this area.

Please sign up also for the first part of this session (workshop A1 – 17 June, 9:30-11:00)

Drawing on recent Congress’ work relating to Hate speech and fake news: the impact on working conditions of local and regional elected representatives, Tackling violence against elected officials and Free to speak, free to meet guaranteeing the rights of LGBTI persons in local communities (debate upcoming in October 2026), the workshop programme will focus on practical local responses to hate speech, intimidation and exclusion. It will discuss ways to safeguard respectful public discourse, protect democratic participation, strengthen trust and foster inclusive communities.

The thematic session presents three interventions on migrant and refugee inclusion. The first one is the project Hands for the World sponsored by the Municipality of Barcelos, Portugal and run by a local civil society organisation. The second project Escucha [R]efugio (Listening to [R]efuge), is presented by the CEAR Spain and bringing together migrant and refugee communities, volunteers, residents and artists in a process of collective creation and social transformation through art. The final contribution is the experiences of Sofia Development Association, Bulgaria, in organizing a hackathon with school students and migrants to tackle anti-migrant narratives, based on which a city-wide campaign was launched in support of migrant and refugee communities.

This workshop consists of an introduction of Safety by Design and innovative ways to counter online hate through better platform design. The discussions also include HateAid’s examination EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) user’s rights, as well as the societal and political consequences of online hate speech. The session also includes a presentation from INACH on the DSA’s impact so far, including early signs of reduced toxicity on mainstream platforms, the challenges of regulating fringe platforms and insights from civil society organisations across Europe and their evolving role under the DSA including trusted flaggers.

This colloquium provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of racism and related forms of intolerance from the perspectives of social psychology, sociology and history. It also offers a chance to reflect on the conclusions to be drawn at the level of the Council of Europe and the member States when taking measures to prevent and combat racism and related forms of intolerance.

Please sign up also for the first part of this session (workshop A5 – 17 June, 9:30-11:00)