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Engagement with Traditional Leaders and Actors

Traditional authorities, such as ethnic chiefs, heads of clans, or community leaders hold a significant role in local governance, security, taxation, and conflict mediation, and especially so, in the absence of state authority. These state and non-state actors have historically managed their critical roles through ¡°governance systems,¡± which include, but are not limited to, conflict prevention, resolving disputes, mediation, peacebuilding, and humanitarian initiatives. In addition, traditional actors must increasingly deal with climate change with its attendant intensifying resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and displacement. Climate change is escalating tensions and increasing the likelihood of violent conflict.

The role of traditional authorities in mediating conflicts, countering and addressing hate speech and preventing deliberate violent attacks against ethnic, racial, religious or national groups, or in contexts at risk of genocide and related crimes (war crimes and crimes against humanity) is important. Their role in peacebuilding, negotiation, and mediation of conflict, including armed conflict, in situations at risk of these crimes and contribution to the prevention thereof is of relevance. Violence against groups based on identity is often preceded and accompanied by hate speech and/or incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence. While there is no international legal definition of hate speech, the Ãå±±½ûµØworking definition is ¡°hate speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behavior, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other forms of identity.¡± (Ãå±±½ûµØStrategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech). Hate speech is an indicator and trigger for genocide and related crimes (war crimes and crimes against humanity). These crimes must be prevented. Not only do they lead to deaths and widespread devastation, but they fracture societies and provoke longstanding wounds that are difficult to heal. 

Traditional leaders hold credibility and legitimacy within the communities they serve. Due to their unique connections based on mutual respect and trust with their communities, preventative action by traditional leaders and actors can be timelier and more effective than those of any other actors, in fostering peaceful, inclusive, and just societies, and ultimately saving lives. Additionally, traditional leaders and actors play a crucial role in addressing climate change, influencing through use of traditional knowledge the fostering of awareness, and shaping of policies that are environmentally friendly. 

However, it is acknowledged that traditional authorities are often not fully utilized because they have been weakened by several factors. These factors include armed conflict or efforts by modern states¡¯ effort to delegitimize traditional leadership. In some parts of the world, traditional leaders and actors are officially recognized by governments, while in others they are not. Contextual analysis of traditional authorities is critical to strengthen and support their role and that of traditional dispute mechanisms. This analysis helps better understand 1) the roles of traditional leaders and actors in their respective communities; 2) weaknesses and advantages of traditional mechanisms; 3) and methods in which the international community can support and respond to strengthen their ability to counter and address hate speech and prevent incitement to violence that could lead to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including through negotiation and mediation.

The United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers led two consultations (2-3 June,2022 in Abuja and 14-15 2023 in Muscat) with the participation of traditional leaders and actors from around the world representing different ethnic, indigenous, clans and traditional societies. The participants discussed their roles and responsibility to prevent genocide and related crimes, including through mediation in situations at risk of these crimes. Participants exchanged experiences and best practices. This Plan of Action does not have the presumption to cover all issues that are related to the role of traditional actors in preventing genocide and related crimes and mediating in situations at risk thereof. Hence, it is a living document, and its implementation will allow the addressing of context specific issues. Both consultations included sessions focusing on the role and contribution of traditional leaders and actors, including women and youth, to prevent genocide and related crimes, including by mediating in situations at risk of these crimes.  

The result is a Plan of Action that includes recommendations for traditional actors, proposals for mechanisms for the implementation thereof, and commitments by all relevant stakeholders.

Engagement with Women

The Napoli Women in Communities Plan of Action was drafted from women¡¯s perspectives which contributed to mainstreaming women¡¯s voices and experiences in its entirety. The plan recognises and welcomes the several existing mechanisms to address women¡¯s inclusion and protection as well as their meaningful role in peace and security efforts globally. These efforts have however not translated into women led initiatives aimed at countering hate speech and prevention of incitement to genocide and related crimes in a mainly militarized and male-dominated field. The State has the primary responsibility to protect populations, however many other actors with influence in society such as women, play important roles. Women have strong influences on society and their messaging has wide reaching impact. Women can also use this influence negatively; however, many have used it positively and been responsible for taking action to reduce tensions within communities by countering hate speech and preventing incitement to violence that could lead to genocide and related crimes.

The Women Peace and Security Agenda is now its third decade amid indications of inadequate attention to enhancing the decision-making roles of women in countering hate speech and preventing incitement to violence that could lead to genocide and related crimes. It is of paramount importance for women to be systematically incorporated into these roles. Women are key stakeholders and have agency and capabilities to respond meaningfully, especially since group-based differencesand inequalities continue to increase the risk of hate speech and genocide and related crimes globally. The deliberation in Napoli invited the addressing of the big question, ¡°What roles women can play - despite contestation - in achieving communities that are fair, accountable, responsible, and cohesive by countering hate speech and preventing incitement that could lead to genocide and related crimes?¡± The women discussed this question while considering the rapidly changing shape of the global political landscape which has created uncertainties on social, economic, demographic, and climatological futures. They also discussed the need to link the framing of objectives and practices on countering hate speech and prevention of incitement of genocide and related crimes in ways that are identifiable in local conditions to regional and international agendas.

The Napoli Women in Communities Plan of Action is built on the foundation of credible data of the absence of women in the roles of countering hate speech and prevention of incitement genocide and related crimes. It is also built on the pressing need to link this absence with broader policy objectives with evidence that an application of resources and attention can make a substantial improvement. This plan therefore seeks to convene, support, and build on experiences globally, capacities for women living in communities where risk factors, indicators, and triggers such as hate speech and incitement to violence point to a possibility of genocide and related crimes. The plan addresses narratives on the supposed women¡¯s lack of agency in countering and addressing hate speech and preventing incitement to violence that could lead to genocide and related crimes, based on stereotypical gender roles. The plan, in its implementation, will reference a wide range of women scholars, as sources, and as researchers, to ensure full inclusion of women¡¯s voices and experiences. By tackling hate speech in full respect of international human rights law the women will help prevent incitement that could lead to genocide and related crimes.  

Read the Plan of Action for Women in Communities.

Engagement with Tech and Social Media Companies

Around the world we are witnessing alarming trends of hate speech on the rise fueling xenophobia, racism, anti-religious hatred and misogyny. Hate speech can have devastating impacts on its victims and on societies. It has resulted in hate crimes, discrimination, and even violence. In the most serious cases, hate speech can be an indicator of risk and a trigger of atrocity crimes, in particular genocide. We know this from history. This is what the history of the Holocaust and the genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica teaches us.

In Nazi Germany magazines such as Der St¨¹rmer were used to disseminate anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories aimed to demonize and dehumanize the Jewish population in Europe leading up to the Holocaust. In Rwanda, Radio T¨¦l¨¦vision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) contributed to spread hate and incite violence against the Tutsi. In many other past and present situations, various media became the vectors of death. Today social media has become another vehicle for hate speech, with the ability to spread information at a speed never seen before, reaching potentially huge audiences within a few seconds. The manner in which many platforms operate feeds on hateful and discriminatory content, and provides echo chambers for such narratives. Online hate speech has led to real world harm. We have seen this from incidents of identity-based violence where the perpetrators were instigated through online hate, to its widespread use to dehumanize and attack entire populations on the basis of identity.

Unfortunately, many times the victims are those already most marginalized in society, including ethnic, religious, national or racial minorities, refugees and migrants, women and men, sexual orientation and gender identity minorities. However, just as social media provides the means for disseminating hate speech, it can also provide the tools for tackling it.

We have seen positive examples of concerted efforts to address online hate, when the necessary resources and capacities to understand the particular context, language and impact of such hate is prioritized. Unfortunately, the investment to counter online hate does not yet match the reality of its spread and impact online. Much more needs to be done. It was with this in mind that the Secretary-General, in June 2019, launched the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. The United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG) is the United Nations global focal point on the implementation of this Strategy that seeks to enhance United Nations efforts to address the root causes and drivers of hate speech as well its impact on victims and societies. One of the commitments of the Strategy is to use new technologies and engage with social media to address online hate speech.

In this regard, OSAPG has a longstanding engagement with technology and social media platforms to promote policies and practices on addressing online hate speech, in line with the Ãå±±½ûµØStrategy. We have organized annually, since 2020, roundtable discussions with tech and social media companies on their role and responsibilities in addressing hate speech on their platforms, in line with international human rights norms and standards. These roundtables organized in collaboration with the ESRC Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project at the University of Essex, also included the members of the United Nations Working Group on Hate Speech as well as Special Rapporteurs and civil society organizations working on this topic. The roundtables provide a platform for dialogue engagement and action on combating online hate speech. They aimed at looking beyond the limited scope of content removal to address hate speech online holistically, including through promoting positive narratives, warnings on problematic content, as well as reducing virality of posts and countering inauthentic coordinated behavior and other forms of disinformation related to online hate speech. We cannot ignore the dangers of online hate. We must all act to counter it. If not, hard won gains in advancing non-discrimination and equality are at risk of being eroded by those who seek to maintain or consolidate power at any cost, often manipulating identity for political gain, scapegoating and targeting vulnerable groups through hate speech, using the opportunities provided by new technologies and social media. The technology and social media companies have a crucial role in responding to these dangers on their platforms.

The Guide for policy makers and practitioners on countering and addressing hate speech sets up the main recommendations identified through the three years of engagement and dialogue on this topic. It further builds on the experiences from Ãå±±½ûµØfield presences that are working to address these challenges at country level. The paper is the result of a cooperation between OSAPG and the ESRC Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project at the University of Essex.

Education for Prevention

How can countries worldwide tap into the power of education to counter hate speech online and offline? UNESCO and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG)  the  to explore educational responses to this phenomenon and give practical recommendations for strengthening education systems. Here's a glimpse into some of the main ideas of this new tool. The guide is part of the implementation of the Ãå±±½ûµØStrategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. It directly stems from the 5 outcomes of the Global Education Ministers Conference on Addressing Hate Speech through Education held on 26 October 2021. 

Where do we draw line between hate speech and free speech?

Hate speech violates the fundamental human rights of the people that are targeted. Opinions may offend, shock or disturb, but they cannot incite violence, hostility and discrimination. In and through education, learners discover how to draw the line between insults and hate speech, as well as understand the consequences and impact of their words and actions on other people. Discouraging the spread of hateful narratives doesn't impede learners' freedom of speech nor the expression of their opinions. On the contrary, education can help uphold this fundamental right by promoting respect, mutual understanding, and a shared sense of humanity.

What¡¯s the role of media and information literacy?

In the "attention economy", hate speech narratives are the ones that often seduce the most, offering an easily achievable sense of community and maximized reach of such messages. Learners need to be empowered to understand the mechanisms underpinning the functioning of media and digital platforms and spot the persuasive tactics commonly used to spread conspiracy theories and other forms of disinformation and harmful content. Evidence shows that developing media and information literacy skills makes them less prone to exclusionary and violent extremist ideas. Teachers, in turn, benefit from these discussions to better understand and reflect on learners' experiences from the digital world, where hateful content is .

What are the ways to spot and counter hateful narratives within curricula?

One-sided narratives that fuel hate speech and justify exclusion can be found across different subjects and educational programmes. Discussing these narratives with school students and acknowledging their problematic nature is integral to the solution.

This includes facilitating uncomfortable conversations about social inequality and power dynamics, decoding and debunking stereotypes and prejudice, and addressing the trauma and stigmatization caused by violent pasts. Teaching and learning about these issues and revising and reviewing curricula and educational materials can sensitize learners to contemporary forms of discrimination and increase their understanding of the processes that lead societies to violence.

How can teachers create an alternative sense of belonging?

To complement curricular interventions, a safe, caring, inclusive, and collaborative classroom climate is necessary. Hate can give a sense of purpose and belonging. It is, therefore, crucial to invest in building a sense of community in and out of schools and integrate missing perspectives in the education process.

Programs that support global citizenship education and promote collaborative, culturally responsive and inclusive practices can help to develop the necessary knowledge and competence to embrace differences and engage respectfully in a diverse society. Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides practical tools and techniques that teachers can help foster a sense of belonging amongst learners. By using case studies and real-life scenarios to discuss controversial situations and different points of view, learners are able to manage stress and negative emotions, acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, and resolve conflicts.

What does a comprehensive approach look like?

To effectively counter hate speech online and offline and foster a safe and inclusive environment free from all forms of hatred and discrimination, efforts made by educators in the classroom must be reflected in all aspects of school life, including policies, extracurricular activities, sports, and social and cultural events. Active engagement of teachers, administration, and parents is a critical success determinant.

The private sector has a role to play, too. Internet companies can contribute by devoting time and resources to the establishment of safe monitoring and deamplifying policies, and investing in educational tools that enable users to recognize and respond to disinformation.

What does a comprehensive approach look like?

A comprehensive response with a whole-of-society approach is essential, with the following vital areas of action to consider:

• Establishing the need to combat hate speech as a matter of national and global priority at the highest political levels,
• Addressing hate speech in the content of education programs/curricula and pedagogical approaches at every level of formal, non-formal and informal education, from early childhood through higher education to lifelong learning,
• Putting in place effective anti-discrimination policies and strategies,
• Developing better reporting mechanisms at the local, national and global levels,
• Coordinating improved responses with social media companies,
• Encouraging further research on the nature and spread of hate speech and the effectiveness of the responses and mitigation measures implemented by various stakeholders, including in the education sector.

Learn more about the Ãå±±½ûµØStrategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. Learn more about hate speech and how to address it through education.

Engagement with Sports

Stemming out of a partnership with the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in 2021, the United Nations co-chaired Global Summit Sports Working Group includes a multitude of sport leagues representatives from around the world and its membership continues to expand.

The Ãå±±½ûµØSummit Sport Working Group is composed of representatives of various sport leagues and partners, who include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Major Legal Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group, Buffalo Bills, Major League Soccer, National Football League, Buffalo Sabres, United States Women's National Soccer Team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR), Major League Soccer (MLS), National Basketball Association (NBA), Women National Basketball Association (WNBA), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the National Hockey League (NHL), and Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the Anti-Defamation League Sports Leadership Council, and CNX Resources Cooperation, and outside of the U.S. - the Liverpool Football Club.

The Sports Working Group will highlight the powerful voices of sport to foster acceptance, mutual respect and counter hate speech around the world.

The Game Plan

As one of the first steps, the United Nations & Eradicate Hate Global Summit Sports Working Group developed the Plan of Action for Sports: The Game Plan, which places focus not just on identifying and reporting hate speech, but on positive reactions that everyday people and famous athletes have taken (or are committing to take) to counter it.

The Game Plan was officially launched on 9 December 2022, on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, and you can watch the .
* Links to external websites are provided for information only. The United Nations is not responsible for the content of external websites.

The Game Plan is outlined by the acronym SPORT:

• Speak openly and honestly about hate speech with athletes, employees, the public, and those who are targeted by hate speech;
• Promote positive messages, practices, polices, and procedures to foster genuine respect and counter hate speech;
• Organize specific outreach to communities of fans (from back yards to stadiums) to educate them about hate speech and its consequences and to try to intervene before violence and messages of hate that may lead to incitement of violence can take root;
• Recognize, reward, and report success stories and positive impacts that athletes and sports figures who join the Game Plan; and
• Train at all levels to identify and address hate speech.

Watch the , the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on the Sports Working Group.

Interview with , Co-Chair, Eradicate Hate Global Summit Sports Working Group, member of the Eradicate Hate Global Summit Executive.
* Links to external websites are provided for information only. The United Nations is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Read the statements delivered at the high-level event launching the Game Plan.

Find the Game Plan in full.