Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Science for Women, Professor Dr. Sameera Naji Khdim , the Rehabilitation and Employment Unit organized an awareness workshop titled “Eliminating Hate Speech.” The workshop was presented by Dr. Abbas Hadi and Ms. Abeer Mohammed.
This workshop was held as part of the College’s commitment to promoting a culture of civil peace within the university environment and raising awareness of the importance of responsible discourse in daily interactions, both within the university and in society at large. The presenters focused on clarifying the psychological and social foundations of hate speech and its negative effects on societal stability and cohesion. They also discussed common forms of harmful discourse in the media and on social media platforms, as well as methods of identifying and addressing them.
The workshop further addressed ways to foster constructive dialogue and respect for differences, highlighting the role that university students can play in promoting a culture of tolerance and raising awareness of the dangers of extremist rhetoric.
This workshop contributes to strengthening the values of tolerance and dialogue, reducing practices that incite violence and discrimination within society, and preparing an informed generation capable of confronting intellectual and social challenges in a civilized and responsible manner.
The workshop’s objective aligns with the indicators of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which call for reducing all forms of violence, promoting the rule of law, and building effective and accountable institutions that encourage coexistence and equal opportunities.
Additionally, raising students’ awareness of how to counter hate speech—whether within the university context or on social media platforms—enhances their ability to participate positively in their communities and helps create a safer and more inclusive educational environment. This, in turn, fulfills the core purpose of this global goal and contributes to building a stable society grounded in mutual respect.
