On October 30 and 31, 2019, The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) convened in Vienna more than 190 faith leaders, policymakers, state actors, civil society representatives, journalists, educators and dialogue practitioners to discuss ways of preventing and countering the growing global phenonmenon of hate speech. 

The international conference “The Power of Words: The Role of Religion, Media, and Policy in Countering Hate Speech” brought together leading representatives of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith communities to speak up and raise public awareness of the need to prevent and delegitimise hate speech, particularly against any group or community on the basis of their identity; share lessons learned from local, national, and international organizations and government agencies that have been active in countering hate speech; advocate for policymakers to take concrete actions against hate speech perpetrators; and encourage a better understanding of cultural implications of migration trends, particularly in Europe.