International Education Day: UNESCO recalls the role of education in the fight against hate speech

The whole world is celebrating International Education Day this Wednesday, January 24. This year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is highlighting the role that education systems can play in combating hate speech that divides communities. According to this UN agency, the world is experiencing a resurgence of violent conflicts and an alarming rise in discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and hate speech. UNESCO is therefore reminding teachers and education sector stakeholders of their role in combating these evils, the scale of which is exacerbated by social media. Because of these platforms, the impact of this violence transcends geographical, gender, racial, religious, and political boundaries, both online and offline. Peace education must be fundamentally transformative and equip learners with the knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills necessary to become agents of peace in their communities. The International Day of Education was established on December 3, 2018, by the United Nations General Assembly through the adoption of Resolution 73/25, with the aim of supporting transformative actions in favor of inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. Nodriche Kasai