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Novi Sad, 18 June 2026 – How can we preserve space for dialogue in an increasingly polarized society, and how can we build public discourse based on respect for diversity rather than division and exclusion? These were the key themes of the panel discussion “Public Discourse in a Time of Polarization: How Can We Preserve Space for Dialogue?”, held in Novi Sad to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.The event brought together representatives of institutions, international organizations, academia, media, civil society and youth to discuss the role of different actors in building a more tolerant and inclusive society.Opening the event, Milan Antonijević, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia, emphasized that the danger of hate speech lies in its ability to degrade and dehumanize individuals and groups, while creating an environment of exclusion, fear and division.“Today, more than ever, it is important to distinguish between disagreement and hate. Disagreement is normal, criticism is legitimate, and protest is a democratic right. But humiliation, dehumanization, and calls for discrimination and violence must never be acceptable. When we reduce people to labels, we stop seeing them as human beings, and that is precisely where the most dangerous divisions in society begin,” said Antonijević.According to Matilde Mordt, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, hate speech is never “just words”. “It undermines social cohesion, erodes trust, and can create conditions in which discrimination, hostility and even violence become more likely. Responding to hate speech requires responsibility, education, credible messages that counter it, as well as ensuring that all people can participate in public life without fear or exclusion. The answer is not silence, but a commitment to human rights, dialogue and equal dignity for all,” said Mordt.Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, stressed that in today's world hate speech is often wrapped in the language of democracy, but that we must be very clear and unequivocal: freedom of expression is not, and must never be, equated with hate speech.“Hate speech is never just a collection of offensive words. Words carry weight. They can hurt, make someone feel less worthy, unwelcome or unsafe. They can leave lasting and profound, sometimes even fatal, consequences. That is why it is important to speak openly about this issue and not remain silent. We may not always have the perfect response, but we must clearly state that hate is unacceptable. Sometimes that means speaking out publicly, sometimes supporting a person who has been targeted, and sometimes simply saying: this is not right,” Halacheva emphasized.Janoš Babić, Head of Mission of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, referred to the latest annual report of the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which warns that hate speech is increasingly being normalized and trivialized across Europe, both in public discourse and online.“ECRI emphasizes that such trends threaten not only the individuals and groups targeted, but also trust in democratic institutions and social cohesion,” Babić said.During the panel discussion, participants reflected from different perspectives on the challenges posed by polarization and hate speech in the public sphere, as well as on how institutions, media, civil society and young people can contribute to creating space for open and responsible dialogue. The discussion focused on the boundaries between freedom of expression and hate speech, the ways public discourse is shaped, the role of media and education in fostering understanding of diversity, and opportunities to strengthen a culture of dialogue in which disagreement does not lead to discrimination or exclusion.The panel was moderated by Nedeljka Borojević and featured Prof. Dr. Dinko Gruhonjić, Associate Professor at the Department of Media Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad; Milica Janjatović Jovanović, Project Coordinator at the Novi Sad School of Journalism; Boris Kojčinović, student at the University of Novi Sad; Kosana Beker, Programme Director at FemPlatz; and Monika Mitrović from the Association of Young Volunteers. Following the panel discussion, the international exhibition “The Tolerance Project” was opened. Created by renowned designer Mirko Ilić, the global initiative promotes tolerance, respect for diversity and a culture of dialogue through art. The exhibition brings together works by designers from around the world and has so far been presented in more than 40 countries. The exhibition is part of the broader Tolerance Campaign, implemented by the United Nations in Serbia, the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.The event was organized by the United Nations in Serbia, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, Europe House Novi Sad and the Council of Europe within the framework of the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, with the aim of raising awareness of the harmful consequences of hate speech and promoting the shared values of tolerance, equality and mutual respect.