Tag: hate speech

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News PARTES-COM EN

Free Training for Leaders of Religious Communities on Security and Incident Prevention in Granada (Spain)

Participation in the training is free of charge, although places are limited. Interested individuals can register through the following form:
https://forms.gle/Z11YACeySvFV2RxT8

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies will hold a free training session on 16 April at its headquarters in Granada (C/ San Jerónimo, 27). The session is aimed at leaders of religious communities and will focus on preventive security and incident management. The activity is organised within the framework of the European project PARTESS-COM and is open to representatives of all religious denominations.

The training will be delivered by the specialized organization Enhancing Faith Institutions, which has extensive experience in training on community security and the protection of religious institutions. The event will be conducted in English and Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation to facilitate the participation of all attendees.

During the session, participants will address several key aspects related to the security of places of worship and community centers, including:

  • Concepts of preventive security
  • Development of crisis communication plans
  • Basic vulnerability assessment
  • Practical application of security resources
  • Reporting security incidents through a new digital platform
  • Exchange of good practices among religious communities

The objective of this session is to strengthen prevention and response capacities regarding security incidents, while also fostering cooperation between religious leaders, local communities, and security specialists.

The PARTESS-COM project (“Participatory Approaches to Protect Places of Worship, Schools and Community Centres”), in which the Euro-Arab Foundation participates, works to prevent hatred, extremism, and terrorism by collecting good practices in preventive, protective, and reactive security. It also promotes the training of community representatives and law enforcement officers in their practical application.

As part of this initiative, the project has developed a European digital platform that brings together security resources, facilitates exchanges among religious leaders from different countries, and enables citizens to report security-related incidents in places of worship.

Participation in the training is free of charge, although places are limited. Interested individuals can register through the following form:


https://forms.gle/Z11YACeySvFV2RxT8

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

The Euro-Arab Foundation takes part in the HATEDEMICS Conference “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarisation and Hate”

Last Thursday, February 19, the conference “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarisation and Hate” took place at the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid. The event, held within the framework of the European project HATEDEMICS, was organized by Maldita.es (MALDITA), the Centro de Estudios Andaluces (CENTRA), and the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies.

The conference brought together journalists, academics, analysts, and representatives of civil society organisations with the aim of reflecting on the current state of the Internet, (mis)information processes, and the rise of hate speech in the digital environment.

The event was opened by representatives of the three partner organisations involved in the project. Speakers included Clara Jiménez, co-founder of the Maldita.es Foundation; Eladia Illescas, researcher at CENTRA; and José Luis Salido, researcher and project coordinator at the Euro-Arab Foundation.

During his speech, José Luis Salido stressed the need to promote initiatives such as HATEDEMICS, which aim to curb the proliferation of online hate speech through the use of technological tools, applied research, and civic education. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation among specialised organizations as an essential way to strengthen digital resilience and safeguard democratic quality in the face of polarization and disinformation.

Analysis and Proposals to Address Online Hate

The first panel of the conference addressed the challenges and possible solutions to online hate speech. The panel featured Mario Lara Delgado, Head of Section at the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE); Ángeles Blanco, Board Member for Cooperation and Hate Crimes at FELGTBI+; and Cristina de la Serna Sandoval, Director of the Department of Equality and Anti-Discrimination at the Fundación Secretariado Gitano. The session was moderated by F. Javier Montilla, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation.

Key issues discussed during the debate included the relationship between hate speech and hate crimes, the causes behind the increase of such discourse in digital environments, the consequences of discrimination both for those who experience it and for society as a whole, and the measures needed to combat this phenomenon. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of existing legislation, its proper enforcement, and the fundamental role of prevention and education.

Project Presentation and Practical Training

The remainder of the conference included a presentation of the HATEDEMICS project by CENTRA, as well as several roundtables featuring journalists who shared their experiences in tackling online disinformation and polarisation. The challenges of accessing high-quality information in today’s digital ecosystem were also discussed.

The event concluded with a workshop presenting the platform and educational materials developed within the framework of the project. The aim was to provide practical tools for identifying hoaxes and fake news, recognising content generated by artificial intelligence, and understanding the cognitive biases that influence information consumption.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

Final Conference of HATEDEMICS in Granada

On March 26, the final conference of HATEDEMICS will take place in Granada under the title “Strengthening Europe’s Response to Online Hate Speech and Disinformation.” The event will be held at the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology at the University of Granada, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will be organized in a hybrid format (in person and online) and will bring together policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, technology professionals, young people, fact-checkers, and journalists, offering a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives and reflect on current challenges and future strategies at the European level.

This one-day conference represents a key milestone in the HATEDEMICS project’s efforts to address online hate speech and disinformation. By combining artificial intelligence and human expertise, the project has developed innovative tools to monitor, detect, and counter harmful narratives, while promoting ethical, inclusive, and democratic digital spaces.

The conference will present the project’s main results and will feature roundtables, presentations, and interactive workshops where participants will be able to test the AI-based tools created to detect disinformation and hate speech.

Registration to attend the event is now open and can be completed through this link.

Download the event agenda.

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News PARTES-COM EN

The Euro-Arab Foundation takes part in a European Panel on the Protection of Places of Worship and Religious Communities

On 12 December, the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies took part in the online panel “Protection of Places of Worship and Religious Communities as Critical Infrastructure”, organised by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip) in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) and the European project PARTESS-COM.

The panel brought together researchers and practitioners from different European countries to analyse the current threat environment affecting places of worship and religious communities, which are increasingly exposed to acts of extremism, hate crime and ideologically motivated violence. In this context, religious spaces were addressed as critical infrastructure requiring greater attention in terms of security and resilience.

The Euro-Arab Foundation was represented by José Luis Salido, researcher and project coordinator who highlighted the importance of comprehensive prevention approaches based not only on physical security measures, but also on soft security strategies, community engagement, and improved communication channels between religious communities, local authorities and security actors.

During his presentation, Salido analysed the current global threat landscape and presented the results of a study based on the analysis of 25 hate crime case studies across 13 European countries, highlighting that places of worship and related spaces have become critical targets. Salido delved into the ideological and strategic characteristics of the extremist groups perpetrating these attacks, warning that the transition from hate speech to physical aggression is a growing concern that demands a coordinated response between local authorities, national governments, and European Union institutions

The participation of the Euro-Arab Foundation in this panel reinforces its commitment to applied research, intercultural dialogue and the prevention of violent extremism, in line with its work on European projects focused on social cohesion and democratic security.

The panel was held within the framework of the European project PARTESS-COM, an initiative funded by the European Commission in which the Euro-Arab Foundation is a partner. The project aims to improve the protection of places of worship and religious communities against terrorist and extremist threats by fostering cooperation, communication and trust among religious actors, public authorities and security forces. It promotes preventive and participatory approaches, as well as the development of practical tools and recommendations to strengthen security without compromising fundamental rights or social cohesion.

More information about the event:
https://www.oiip.ac.at/events/online-panel-discussion-protection-of-places-of-worship-and-religious-communities-as-critical-infrastructure/

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ECLIPSE EN EN Hatedemics News Projects RADICALIZACION EN

The Euro-Arab Foundation Participates in the 4th Training Session of the European Observatory of Online Hate

The fourth training session of the European Observatory of Online Hate (EOOH) took place in Madrid on October 21, organized by Violence Prevention Network International and led by the VPN Academy training team.

The session was attended by more than 40 representatives from politics, civil society, and law enforcement agencies, hailing from 28 different organizations across 10 EU Member States. The event also featured researchers from the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies, whose work is specifically focused on the analysis and fight against hate speech within the framework of various European projects in which the Foundation participates.

The final session will take place in Belgium, from November 26 to 27, 2025.

About the EOOH

The European Observatory of Online Hate (EOOH) is a project supported by the European Commission dedicated to combating illegal hate speech and disinformation in the digital environment, aiming to promote a safer online space aligned with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Its strategy is based on a triple approach: Identification (using advanced AI technology to detect harmful content in multiple languages), Analysis (investigating the nature and trends of online hate), and Action (collaborating with law enforcement and civil society to report and address this content, strengthening cooperation and training key actors in the fight against hate narratives such as antisemitism, Islamophobia, and LGTBphobia)

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EN PARTES EN Shield News PARTES-COM EN Projects

Promoting Interreligious Dialogue in the Training of High-Ranking (Spanish) Civil Guard Officials

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies has collaborated in the organisation of a key training session for the University Master’s Degree in Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism at the Civil Guard University Centre. Titled “Interreligious Dialogue Panel: Coexistence, Security, and Cooperation,” the session was dedicated to delving into interreligious dialogue and the challenges of democratic coexistence in a context of growing diversity in Spain.

The session, driven by the Islamic Commission of Spain (CIE) with the collaboration of the Euro-Arab Foundation, was held in person at the headquarters of the Civil Guard Orphans Association (APHGC) and is positioned as a strategic high-level space for the exchange of ideas among actors with public decision-making capacity.

A Strategic Forum for Security and Coexistence

The meeting was aimed at the Master’s students, a multidisciplinary profile that includes high-ranking Civil Guard officials, as well as professionals from the judiciary, ministries, security agencies, and penitentiary institutions. The participation of the Euro-Arab Foundation in this forum underscores its experience and institutional relevance in training management personnel on sensitive issues such as diversity management, the fight against extremism, and the promotion of social peace.

The roundtable panel featured the presence of prominent religious denominations in Spain, such as the Spanish Episcopal Conference, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, and the Islamic Commission of Spain (CIE).

Reflections on Social Cohesion and Diversity

The Islamic Commission of Spain (CIE) was represented by Hicham Oulad Mhammed, a CIE member and expert in interreligious dialogue. During his intervention, he highlighted the need to address the growing social polarisation and the negative impact of hoaxes and narratives that seek the “foreignisation” (“extranjerización”) of Muslim communities in Spain, denying their deep historical roots.

Other key points of his presentation included:

  • The promotion of the positive visibility of Muslims and the importance of Islamic thought being expressed in the Spanish language, while acknowledging the new challenges this generates in the face of intolerance.
  • The recognition of the Spanish legal framework on religious freedom (Law 26/1992) as one of the most advanced, along with the need to improve its practical implementation at the local level.

Hicham Oulad Mhammed stressed that “social cohesion is not built by denying difference, but by integrating it within a framework of mutual respect and real equality,” appealing to the active role of institutions in defending constitutional values.

The Euro-Arab Foundation’s collaboration in the organisation of this event reaffirms its institutional commitment to inter-sectoral cooperation and civic education. By facilitating these high-impact meetings, it directly contributes to the strengthening of interreligious dialogue as an essential tool for democratic coexistence and the prevention of discourses that erode social peace among the State Security Forces and Corps and other key public institutions.

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EN Diversidad cultural EN Multiculturalidad News Projects

We Participate in the VII National Congress “Dismantling Islamophobia”

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies reinforced its commitment to the fight against racism and discrimination by actively participating in the VII National Congress “Dismantling Islamophobia,” held on October 21 and 22 at the Faculty of Education of the University of Málaga.

The Congress, organized by the Moroccan Association for the Integration of Immigrants, brought together experts, academics, and activists to analyze the complex manifestations of Islamophobia in Spain and Europe, and to propose effective strategies for its eradication.

The Euro-Arab Foundation’s participation, part of the activities of its Research and Projects Department, featured the double intervention of its experts, Rascha Albaba and Lucía G. del Moral.

Institutional Training as a Prevention Tool

The Euro-Arab researcher, Rascha Albaba, during her intervention.

The Euro-Arab Foundation researcher, Rascha Albaba, presented her paper titled “Institutional training: preventing Islamophobia from within”, highlighting the essential work of the Euro-Arab Foundation in providing specialized training aimed at various key actors:

  • Security Forces and Bodies: for a better understanding and management of diversity.
  • Civil Society and Experts: to strengthen their intervention capabilities.
  • Institutional Actors: at the state and European level.

This training addresses crucial topics such as Islamophobia, interreligious dialogue, intercultural coexistence, and human rights.

Albaba emphasized both the activities developed within the framework of European projects and the Foundation’s own initiatives, stressing the accumulated experience of its experts and the solid institutional connections of the Euro-Arab Foundation.

Furthermore, the expert underlined the importance of human rights mechanisms as fundamental vehicles for transferring Spain’s situation regarding Islamophobia to the international sphere, using political and international dialogue as a crucial method for prevention.

The Euro-Arab researcher, Lucía G. del Moral, during her presentation.

For her part, Lucía García del Moral participated in the panel dedicated to analyzing institutional Islamophobia, with a paper titled “From Theory to Practice: European projects that transform the institutional response to Islamophobia.”

The participation of the Euro-Arab Foundation in this important national forum reaffirms its commitment to promoting the values of tolerance, diversity, and respect for human rights, and its active role in the fight against all forms of discrimination.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

Pilot Test of HATEDEMICS AI Tool in Coria del Río

Young people, teachers, and educators will gather next Thursday, October 23, at the Museum of Andalusian Autonomy in Coria del Río to participate in the pilot test of the HATEDEMICS project. This initiative, in which the Euro-Arab Foundation is involved, aims to develop tools to combat hate speech.

A Two-Session Day

The initiative will take place over the course of a day divided into two training sessions.

  • In the morning, from 10:00 to 13:00, the activity will be aimed at a young audience.
  • In the afternoon, from 16:30 to 19:30, the session will be specifically geared toward teachers and educators.

The event will offer attendees the opportunity to learn first-hand about the tools being developed to identify and confront hate speech in various contexts. This pilot is a key step in the implementation of the project, and its results will help refine the strategy and materials ahead of the official launch.

The Museum of Andalusian Autonomy, an emblematic site for Andalusian history and culture, thus becomes the setting for this important educational and social initiative, highlighting the importance of education and dialogue in the fight against hate.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

The Euro-Arab Foundation Addresses Misogynistic Violence and Incel Communities at International Anti-Discrimination Conference

On June 12nd, Murcia hosted the International Conference Against Underreporting of Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Organized by Columbares, this conference was a crucial event for addressing the concerning reality of low reporting rates in cases of discrimination and hate crimes.

The event’s opening featured Rosa Cano, director of Columbares, who emphasized the urgency of combating intolerance in light of the worrying underreporting data. Also present were Ana Vanesa Valero García (Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at the University of Murcia), Leopoldo Olmo Fernández-Delgado (Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Policy, Families, and Equality for the Region of Murcia), and Pilar Torres (Councillor for Social Welfare, Family, and Health for the City of Murcia). The Director-General for Family Diversity and Social Services of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, Patricia Bezunartea Barrio, participated remotely.

One of the standout presentations at the conference was given by José Luis Salido Medina, a researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation, titled “The Violent Face of Misogyny: Manosphere and Incel Communities.”

During his presentation, the researcher delved into the incel movement, exploring its origin and context within the ecosystem of misogynistic movements and the so-called “manosphere.” The talk critically addressed the intrinsic relationship between hatred and violence, examining the common elements that underlie both and how these manifest specifically in the case of incel communities. Finally, Salido offered a concise reflection on a prevention paradigm specifically applicable to addressing misogynistic movements and the incel phenomenon, highlighting the importance of proactive strategies to combat these violent ideologies.

The conference also served as the platform for the presentation of the book “Breaking the Silence.” The result of research by Columbares, the book compiles testimonies from victims of hate crimes in various contexts (public spaces, social media, homes) and addresses topics such as LGTBIfobia, aporophobia, and racism. These accounts offer deep insights into the victims’ experiences, their reporting processes, and the consequences on their daily lives.

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News SHIELDed EN

New European project to protect places of worship, schools and religious communities

Last week, the Euro-Arab Foundation participated in the kick-off meeting of a new 3-year project, SHIELDed, aimed at protecting places of worship, schools and religious communities in Europe.

The kick-off meeting brought together the project’s 17 partner organisations from 10 European countries and marked the beginning of a coordinated effort to address the growing vulnerabilities and challenges facing communities across Europe. By promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, strengthening the capacity of soft targets (such as schools and religious institutions and sites), inter-religious dialogue, tolerance, democratic and civic literacy, and critical thinking, the SHIELDed project seeks to foster a shared culture of safety, dialogue and mutual respect for all.

The Euro-Arab Foundation was represented at the SHIELDed launch event by its researcher Rascha Albaba Acosta.

In this project, the Euro-Arab Foundation will lead the coordination and implementation of the third work package, which focuses on establishing a baseline understanding of the needs, threats and vulnerabilities of soft targets, including local and organisational specificities, as well as the development of accurate and innovative materials and mechanisms to enable rapid, effective and comprehensive multi-level threat assessment and response options.

About SHIELDed

Funded by ISF (Homeland Security Fund), SHIELDed aims to respond to the global rise of disinformation, hatred and resulting violence directed at soft targets such as schools and places of worship. The project aims to work towards the protection of these symbolic places and their communities by building on the EU Action Plan to Support the Protection of Public Spaces and promoting cooperation between public authorities, religious organisations, educational institutions and local communities.

In addition, SHIELDed aims to improve public awareness by working with local communities and their youth. This will be achieved through capacity building, cooperation, awareness raising, preventive and response mechanisms. SHIELDed plays a crucial role in preventing crime and mitigating radicalisation and extremism, through primary and secondary preventive mechanisms. Its focus on improving literacy, tolerance and resilience will be crucial for tertiary prevention, particularly in assisting the (re)integration of people with criminal convictions.