Назад Joining efforts with the Young European Ambassadors from the Republic of Moldova in countering hatred and discrimination

Joining efforts with the Young European Ambassadors from the Republic of Moldova in countering hatred and discrimination

“No-hate” Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from the Republic of Moldova visit the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau to discuss their implication in local work on non-discrimination and create synergies to involve the youth in future actions.

This meeting was a follow-up to the series of online and in-person trainings destined to more than 50 Young European Ambassadors from the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions, with the objective to discuss European values and standards on human rights, non-discrimination, combating hatred and creating counter-narratives to hate speech.

“The involvement of young people is extremely important in awareness raising initiatives to reach out to citizens for informing them about rights and mechanisms for their protection, but also for encouraging them to take a stance against hatred and discrimination. It is essential to continue exchanging experiences and practices with peers from other states and to continue learning from each other. Only with the engagement of all relevant actors, can we contribute to improvements in promoting equality”, stated Falk Lange, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.

The network created for youth, for acquiring and sharing knowledge about human rights and promoting European values, paves the way for advancing equality and diversity in the Republic of Moldova, which is crucial in the context of European perspective of the country, with focus on strengthening the capacities to combat discrimination, hatred and racism in line with European standards, ultimately supporting the vulnerable groups”, mentioned Eduard Pesendorfer, Programme Manager from the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

The Young European Ambassadors that were enrolled in the learning process highlighted the significant experience of increasing their knowledge on human rights and anti-discrimination with peers from the East and Southeast Europe regions. They also appreciated the idea of maintaining this platform of mutual learning active and moving ahead in planning activities, in person and online – with attention to protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups in society.

The exchange offered the possibility for participants to brainstorm on how to increase equality in the Republic of Moldova as a whole, but also in local communities, by using counter-narratives to hate speech, promoting “NO to hatred and discrimination” messages, and further promoting good examples and best practices of more inclusive societies, based on European values and standards.

 Read the news in Romanian: Unirea eforturilor cu Tinerii Ambasadori Europeni în combaterea urii și discriminării în Republica Moldova

 Find out more about the Partnership for Good Governance work to promote equality and non-discrimination

 Visit the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau website

 Find out more about the Young European Ambassadors initiative


This event was organised as part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme "Partnership for Good Governance", co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project "Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova"

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova 20 March 2024
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Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, 1-2 July 2024
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Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions.  The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives from both regions who discussed and exchanged on the best practices, measures and common challenges when addressing hate speech and hate crime. Through monitoring and reporting, policy advocacy, raising awareness and supporting victims equality bodies play a fundamental role in protecting human rights and ensuring that all individuals are treated equally.

In her opening remarks, Angela Longo, Head of Anti-discrimination Co-operation Unit, Council of Europe, underlined the significant progress in engaging with Equality Bodies through this network, regularly exchanging best practices and addressing the challenges of hatred and intolerance in societies. She highlighted that this new chapter of discussion delves into the grey area between hate speech and hate crime, addressing issues of incitement and biases,

Representatives from Equality Bodies had the opportunity to discuss and enhance their knowledge on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendation to member States on combating hate crime, adopted on 7th May 2024, as well as gain a clearer understanding of EU standards in the field of hate crime. Moreover, participants engaged in exchanges with peers from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), who shared insights on addressing hate speech in the public discourse. The National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) in Italy provided practical examples for developing counter-narratives and raising awareness initiatives.

They also explored opportunities to advocate for legislative reform, foster multisectoral co-operation, enhance data collection, and overall improve national mechanisms to counter hate crimes.

This seminar was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” – co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe  under the joint Programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

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