Peace
In 2018, I founded an NGO to equip young people with knowledge and skills to challenge online hate speech and tackle different types of extremism. Words Heal the World offered volunteering opportunities to undergraduate students based in the United Kingdom, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Mexico, and, through a partnership with the Federal University of Rio Janeiro (UFRJ) in Brazil, it integrated the curriculum of Communication and Media Studies.
Under my supervision, undergraduate students produced a variety of multimedia pieces, developed social media campaigns, and organised events in Rio de Janeiro and in London. Their peacebuilding efforts were recognised by two international prizes, including the prestigious Luxembourg Peace Prize.
After five years inspiring students to build a more peaceful world, Words Heal the World was dissolved. Nevertheless, its projects provide evidence of what young people can do when they are given the chance to use their skills for peace.
Here, you will find an overview of the main projects developed by students.
All the articles published by its volunteers and an interactive version of the Hate Map of Brazil can be access on the website of Words Heal the World: https://wordshealtheworld.com/
01
From student to student: sharing skills to challenge hate speech
In this project, undergraduate students were trained to facilitate workshops at high schools in Brazil to inspire teenagers to use their digital skills to challenge online hate speech. The workshop also provided information on what young people can do when they find hate speech on the internet.
02
Short documentary: Silenced Saints
In Brazil, followers of Afro-Brazilian religions, such as Candomblé and Umbanda, have been victims of discrimination and violent acts. Prejudice towards these religions has an intrinsic relationship with racism because since colonial times, they have been associated with the devil - a misconception that has been transmitted over generations.
In this short-documentary, undergraduate students deconstruct some of the myths that have been fuelling prejudice towards Afro-Brazilian religions. The movie can be accessed here.
03
Hope News
During the Covid-19 global pandemic, a group of undergraduate students suggested the creation of a news agency devoted to promoting hope. Hope News published articles and social media content highlighting positive initiatives implemented in different parts of the world.
One of the students involved in this project declared that participating in it prevented her from falling into depression.
04
Report Hate Map of Brazil
For two consecutive years, undergraduate students from all over Brazil collected data for the report Hate Map of Brazil. The documents present a detailed analysis of official data on crimes motivated by bias based on race, colour, ethnicity, religion or national origin recorded in the country in 2018 and 2019.
05
Social media campaign against fascism
Worried about the rise of the populist radical right in Brazil, some undergraduate students suggested the development of a social media campaign to raise awareness on the main characteristics of a fascist regime.
For three moments, they produced social media content in three languages (Portuguese, English, and Spanish) and produced a live interview to reflect on the role played by young people in democracies.
06
Day Against Antisemitism
In 2019, a group of volunteers based in the UK organised a series of workshops at three universities to raise awareness on antisemitism.
Words Heal the World's efforts to tackle antisemitism captured the attention of an Argentinian student who later joined the NGO and was invited to give a talk at a youth conference organised by UNESCO-MGIEP in India.
07
Short documentary:
Behind the Scarf
In this short documentary produced in partnership with the Democratic Education Network (DEN) based at the University of Westminster, undergraduate and MA students challenge some of the main misconceptions around Muslim women as an attempt to tackle Islamophobia.
The movie was premiered at the University of Westminster and it opened a dialogue about Islamophobia. It can be accessed here.