Last week, as part of No Hate Speech Week, we participated in the workshop Belonging Matters: Countering Hate Speech Through Dialogue, held at the Council of Europe. No Hate Speech Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the harmful impact of hate speech through various events and initiatives, while also highlighting the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and building societies that respect human rights and diversity.
One of the speakers was Reza, who arrived in Serbia as an unaccompanied minor. Reza was accommodated in our Pedro Arrupe Integration House, where he began his integration journey through education, support and everyday life in the community. Today, he is a master’s student in painting and an artist. During the workshop, he shared his personal experience of displacement and integration, speaking about the challenges he faced upon arriving in Serbia, as well as the importance of support, education and acceptance in building a new life. His journey, from an unaccompanied minor seeking safety in Serbia to a master’s student and artist, demonstrates the long-term impact that continuous support and opportunities for personal development can have on a person’s life.
The event also provided an opportunity to present the work of JRS Serbia through the example of the support we have provided to Reza over the years, from his arrival in Serbia to his journey toward independence. His story allowed us to highlight JRS Serbia’s long-standing work with unaccompanied minors and the importance of timely and continuous support during a period when young people face numerous challenges. Through education, psychosocial support, daily assistance and empowerment, our goal has been to help young people develop their potential and build independent lives in a new environment.
Following the opening presentations, participants took part in an interactive workshop that encouraged them to step into the shoes of others and reflect on how hate speech and hostile messages affect people with different life experiences. The activity demonstrated that the same words can be perceived very differently depending on one’s background and reminded participants of the importance of empathy, dialogue and mutual trust in building inclusive and resilient communities. The discussion that followed further emphasized the importance of listening to different perspectives and creating environments where everyone feels safe, respected and accepted.
The workshop took place during No Hate Speech Week and in the period of marking World Refugee Day, providing an additional opportunity to emphasize the importance of solidarity, understanding and a sense of belonging for people who have been forced to flee their homes. Participating in events like this enables us to foster understanding through personal stories and open dialogue while contributing to the development of more inclusive communities.
We would like to thank Network for Dialogue and KAICIID for the invitation and the opportunity to take part in this important conversation.
