LUDOVIKA UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Call for Applications - 2020 Global Minority Rights Summer School

Global Minority Rights Summer School 2020

“Hate Speech”, Social Media and Minoritites

Budapest, Hungary

July 11-18, 2020

 

 

The Tom Lantos Institute (TLI) and the National University of Public Service (NUPS), in cooperation with Minority Rights Group International and Eurac Research, are organizing their eighth international summer school on minority rights, which this year will have a special focus on “hate speech”, social media and minorities.

 

Recent examples of so-called “hate speech”, particularly incitement to hatred, against individuals belonging to minority groups has caused significant alarm across the world. Much of the concern has been about the role played by social media platforms in the online dissemination of “hate speech”, which has led to the targeting of minorities, often with catastrophic and deadly consequences, but also to the exacerbation of tensions and a growing climate of fear within societies. Political leaders, public officials and other authority figures have relied on such platforms to amplify and spread their hate-fueled agendas, including the demonization of and disinformation about minorities, threatening human rights, undermining democratic values and sowing societal distrust. Moreover, the Internet companies, on whose platforms such hateful content spreads, seem dependent on a business model that prizes virality. It is therefore unsurprising that there have been increasing calls for the imposition of limits on “hate speech” and the regulation of platforms. At the same time, the ambiguity and vagueness surrounding the notion of “hate speech” – which lacks any definition in international law and political consensus about its meaning – can be abused to enable violations of human rights, particularly freedom of expression, of persons belonging to minorities, as well as their advocates and representatives. While governments around the world are putting pressure on Internet companies to incentivize the removal of what is deemed as “hate speech” from their platforms, including through legislative means, Internet companies themselves have developed their own content moderation policies and rules concerning “hate speech”. Yet all too often such responses have shown to be either inadequate or overbroad in terms of international human rights standards, curtailing legitimate forms of expression and the realization of a broad range of human rights of persons belonging to minorities. This complex and shifting context forms the backdrop for the 2020 Global Minority Rights Summer School.

The 2020 Global Minority Rights Summer School will explore these and other issues related to “hate speech”, social media and minorities, bringing together policy makers, civil society activists, academics, and other key stakeholders. The five-day interactive summer school will examine contemporary trends, challenges and case-studies, and also discuss concrete solutions. Two United Nations Special Rapporteurs, on minority issues (Fernand de Varennes) and on freedom of religion or belief (Ahmed Shaheed), will participate in the summer school as speakers, and discuss their mandates and the work they have done since being appointed.  Participants will also be allocated time to make presentations on relevant subjects of interest to them.

The deadline for applying is Monday, March 23, 2020, 12:00 p.m. CET. Applicants will be notified by Friday, April 10, 2019.

Who should participate?

  • MA and PhD students who wish to acquire competitive personal competence beneficial for their future careers in academia or in practice-oriented professions;
  • Public servants, decision-makers, teachers in higher education institutions and journalists with an interest in minority rights, diversity, equality, and relevant international law;
  • Members of civil society organizations, practitioners;
  • Everyone who is interested in recent developments, current theories and advanced training in the field of minority protection.

A strong command of English is required. For more information please check the call and the application form here below.

To apply, fill in the application form, save it with the following name: 2020GMRSS_[lastname_firstname], and submit it to gmrss@tomlantosinstitute.hu. Please do not send any other documents. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The participation fee is 150 Euros. It covers tuition, accommodation, meals and cultural events.

Financial support is available for a limited number of participants. Please find the details below in the call. 

For more information please check the call and the application form here below.