UNITED IN DIVERSITY

Institution: University of Ottawa

CSWB plan priority / Ottawa's 2023-2026 Term of Council priority: Discrimination, marginalization and racism

Project Term: Fall 2024

Course Code: SCS 3530

Professor(s): Jean-François Chapman

Group Member(s): Dann KRE; Anais NGODEBO

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Objective(s): The purpose of this project is to create a space for positive exchange on social networks in order to fight prejudice and hate speech, while raising awareness and educating citizens about the importance of acceptance and mutual respect. This initiative aims to allow everyone to express their commitment to living together and diversity, using the potential of digital platforms.

To achieve this objective, several actions will be implemented:

• Awareness-raising and education on the adverse effects of religious hatred and its physical, psychological and emotional consequences.

• Promoting mutual respect, tolerance and social cohesion between different religious communities.

• Support and assistance for victims by providing resources and a sympathetic ear.

• A legal advocacy for appropriate sanctions against hate speech and acts.

• Encouragement for citizen participation to encourage everyone to take an active role in fighting religious hatred.

• The creation of a space for artistic and creative expression, inclusive and conducive to unity and diversity.

• Promoting inter-community dialogue and cooperation via social networks, to strengthen ties and prevent conflict.

  
  

Our goal is to harness the power of social media to spread a positive message, reach a wide audience and foster a more inclusive and respectful society.

Potential for Impact: In the short term, our outreach project will aim to actively fight the spread of online hate speech by broadcasting educational and engaging content. Thanks to the accessibility and virality of social networks, we can reach a wide audience and encourage dialogue between different communities. By highlighting the testimonies of victims and creating interactive exchange forums, we promote collective awareness and reduce the isolation of people affected by religious hatred.

Citizen participation is essential to amplify the impact of this initiative. By encouraging Internet users to report hate speech and relay positive messages, we are contributing to a change in mentality and to creating a safer online environment.

Through interactive tools such as surveys, challenges and awareness campaigns via hashtag, we encourage people to get actively involved. This not only enables us to measure changes in mentalities, but also to encourage broader mobilization. By raising awareness now, we can prevent tensions from escalating and contribute to a calmer social climate.

In the long term, our project aims to change mentalities in a sustainable way and build a more tolerant and inclusive society. By gradually deconstructing prejudices and encouraging mutual understanding between different beliefs, we are promoting a better way of living together. One of the fundamental pillars of this approach is education: by making the younger generations aware of the importance of respect and inter-religious dialogue, we are helping to build a more open and caring society.

Testimonials and shared experiences will help build empathy and understanding between different communities, reducing tensions in the long term. By making the consequences of religious hatred visible and highlighting the benefits of mutual respect, we are creating a culture of peace and solidarity.

In addition, by strengthening confidence in institutions and advocating appropriate legislative measures, we will lay the foundations for an effective prevention policy. This includes the implementation of official educational campaigns, a better framework for online speech and greater recognition of victims’ rights.

Thanks to these combined efforts, we can look forward to a profound and lasting change in the perception and management of religious diversity within our society.