Date: Friday, 1 October 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. EDT
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Making learners more resilient to disinformation, “fake news” and conspiracy theories
What danger do disinformation, "fake news", and conspiracy theories pose to society? How do they encourage and spread hate speech? What is the connection between disinformation and the perpetration of hate crimes? What measures are available to empower youth to resist disinformation, "fake news" and conspiracy theories?
Disinformation, “fake news" and conspiracy theories spread racism and support supremacist ideology, encouraging hate crimes. Disinformation and fake news related to public health in the context of COVID-19, has proved to be, in some instances, life-threatening, and has encouraged a rise in racist attacks, xenophobia, antisemitism and islamophobia. The panel discussion considers approaches to the “infodemic” and what measures can build the resilience of youth to disinformation, “fake news" and conspiracy theories. The panel explores how Holocaust education and education about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda can strengthen learners’ understanding of the consequences of disinformation, ‘fake news’ and conspiracy theories going unchallenged, and their ability to recognize and respond to mis- and disinformation. The panel examines the initiatives developed by the United Nations and the work being done in South Africa to build youth resilience. The panel discussion is part of the multi-stakeholder forum on addressing hate speech through education organized by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and UNESCO.