In a strong show of solidarity against hate and discrimination, youth representatives and senior officials gathered at the Silosi cultural centre in Belgrade to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The event featured a vibrant panel discussion followed by the unveiling of a large mural, both aiming to foster unity, inclusion, and resilience in the face of rising hate speech in the region.

The gathering also marked the launch of the joint “Tolerance” campaign — a six-month awareness-raising initiative by the United Nations and the Council of Europe aimed at promoting inclusion and countering hate through youth engagement, education, media and public dialogue.

Organised under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, and in partnership with the UN Country Team in Serbia, the event highlighted the power of youth participation in shaping anti-discrimination policies and narratives.

Opening the event, Janos Babity, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, said that the International Day for Countering Hate Speech serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address hate speech in all its forms—online and offline—and to build inclusive, respectful societies rooted in human rights, equality, and mutual understanding. “At the heart of this effort are young people, who continue to be among the most affected by discrimination but also among the most vocal and creative agents of change. Their leadership, ideas, and courage are essential to confronting intolerance and reshaping narratives of exclusion into those of solidarity and shared humanity.”

In her remarks, Matilde Mordt, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, emphasised the urgency of acting against hate speech and the role of young people in creating lasting change.

“If hate is loud, then tolerance must speak louder — not with anger, but with empathy, creativity, and courage. The ‘Tolerance’ campaign is a call to action: to choose inclusion over division, and to amplify the stories that bring us closer, not push us apart,” said Mordt.

At the heart of the event was a youth-led panel discussion based on the 75 recommendations developed at the 2024 Sjenica Youth Forum. The dialogue brought together young people from diverse networks—including the Young European Ambassadors, UNICEF Youth Network, alongside participants from the regional United Nations initiative Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust, UN Association and the youth panels of the Commissioner for Equality and Ombudsperson—with senior policy-makers.

Topics covered included education as a tool against hate, discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, and identity, as well as combating online hate and boosting youth resilience. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Ivana Krstić, from the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade.

Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, also highlighted the key role of young people in the fight for a more tolerant and just society. “Young people are the only ones with the potential to be drivers of change when it comes to hate speech, which is often not taken seriously enough and is seen merely as a step toward conflict and violence — even though its use normalises violence,” said the Commissioner.

Following the panel, participants moved to the Silosi area to unveil a giant mural inspired by messages of inclusion and solidarity. Created by local artists, Luka Prstojević and Kruna Jevtić, the mural is envisioned as a lasting public statement against hate speech and a celebration of diversity.

Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, said unveiling the mural that the mural is more than just an artistic act — it is a message. “It is a message of determination and unity in standing up to hatred in all its forms, whether on the street, in schools, or online,” said Halacheva.

The mural painting and organisation of the event were supported through the action "Combating discrimination and promoting diversity in Serbia", which is part of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye", in partnership with the United Nations Country Team in Serbia.