Campaign tools to tackle discrimination and promote critical thinking in our cities

This workshop focuses on the Campaign tools to tackle discrimination and promote critical thinking in our cities.
 

The agenda of the workhop will be:
 

14:00 -14:05 Welcome and introduction
 

14:05 -14:30 Campaign tools for positive social, ecological and economic change, Jannes Vahl, Director of Fair Narrative an activism,       journalism and communication platform based in Hamburg
 

14:30 -14:55 #MakeSureItAddsUp- The Bradford Anti-Rumour campaign and reducing Covid rumours, Matt Henderson, Bradford for Everyone Lead at Bradford City Council

14:55 - 15:20 Campaigning, education and games- the development of the ‘Escape Rumours’ game for schools and youth projects across Spain, Gerardo Gomez, Anti-Rumours Global

15:20 -15:30 Q and A

15:30 End

TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOP CLICK ON THIS ZOOM LINK

Meeting ID: 928 5985 1998

Passcode: 485204

Background Note

Over the past 2 years, the URBACT  Rumourless Cities network (a network of 6 cities across Europe)has been sharing knowledge and experience of how to best counter negative and discriminatory rumours and promote open and accepting societies and places. An important focus has been on how cities can develop effective campaigns which reach and involve a wide and diverse spectrum of their residents as well as engaging and developing critical thinking and media literacy skills. 

These skills have never been more important to maintaining peaceful and democratic societies- not that phenomena such as ‘fake news’-a deliberate and often malicious blend of rumour and propaganda under the cover of  news - are new, but we are now bombarded 24/7 with news, opinions and biased ‘information' pushing particular political agendas. Algorithms further enclose people in ‘filter bubbles’ which act to reinforce biases and shrink diversity of ideas. It is easier than ever to become a passive consumer of news and data and pass this on unchecked via social media and everyday communications. Social media has vastly extended the range and capacity to gossip which while fulfilling an important social bonding function can be full of half-truths, unchecked ‘facts’ and hearsay. This is demonstrated more recently in COVID 19 rumours and anti-vaccination fake news.

These trends have impacts on our communities, hindering positive interactions and social cohesion. At a city and neighbourhood level we have seen wide ranging initiatives to tackle the issue of false rumours. This online seminar looks at some of the more recent campaign tools and approaches in cities across Europe developed to support critical thinking skills, raise awareness of discrimination and promote positive attitudes towards diversity.  Speakers include:

Jannes Vahl- James is director of fair narrative www.fairnarrative.com - an activism, journalism and communication platform based in Hamburg. Specialising in sustainability, they develop brands and campaigns for positive social, ecological and economic change. They worked with Hamburg-Altona municipality to develop and implement an anti-discrimination campaign and local actions to support the adoption of the ‘Altona Declaration’ - a manifesto created by city leaders and citizens which sets out a commitment to diversity, democracy and living together without discrimination.

Gerardo Gomez- is a consultant at Anti-Rumours Global an organization dedicated to the promotion of anti-rumors strategies and campaigns. He has a background in youth and community work and has recently been involved in designing and implementing an educational game ‘Escape Rumours’ i(based on the principles of the Escape Room experience) in schools and youth projects across Spain. 

Matt Henderson- Matt is Bradford For Everyone lead for the Anti Rumour and Critical Thinking Strategy which focuses on reducing rumours around migrant, LGBTQ+, Islam and working-class communities in Bradford District as part of the city’s commitment as an Intercultural City.  The programme aim is to support a district where everyone feels safe and has the same chance in life. Black, Asian and Minority Communities are facing inequalities and being adversely affected due to the COVID19 pandemic. Bradford is using their anti-rumour campaign called #MakeSureItAddsUp to reduce COVID19 rumours and tackle misinformation and provide community training led by migrant and BAME communities.