‘I say NO to hate speech’ campaign launched on 2 October

The Ministry of Education and Culture has launched a campaign called ‘I say NO to hate speech’. Minister of Education Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport Sampo Terho challenge all actors in their own administrative branch to combat hate speech. The campaign was launched on 2 October.

The campaign was launched today, Monday 2 October, which marks the World Day of Bullying Prevention and the UN International Day of Non-Violence. The campaign challenges people to make a stand against hate speech, to use social media to tell others about their participation, and to challenge others to join the campaign.

Minister of Education Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport Sampo Terho are involved in the campaign. In addition to the Ministry of Education and Culture, the expert working group behind the campaign consists of representatives from organisations in the fields of education, culture, sports and youth work.

Minister of Education Grahn-Laasonen wishes to draw attention to the tacit acceptance of hate speech.

“We encounter so much hate speech these days that it has become almost commonplace, which is a frightening phenomenon. Hate speech must not, in any circumstances, be accepted even tacitly. We must always intervene in it. Respect for other people, acting together with different people and empathy – these are skills that can be learned. Therefore, it is important that this theme is discussed at schools, in other educational institutions and in connection with leisure activities.”

Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport Sampo Terho highlights the significance of good manners and decent public debate, especially now that Finland is celebrating the centenary of its independence.

“We must be able to keep the discussion civil and show respect for others. Hate speech gnaws at the Finnish society and is detrimental to its unity.”

The campaign is part of the Ministry's action plan ‘Meaningful in Finland’, which aims to prevent hate speech and racism and to foster social inclusion.

Inquiries:

Tiina Kivisaari, Director, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 33 0178

Daniel Sazonov, Special Adviser to Minister Grahn-Laasonen, tel. +358 295 33 0276