Combatting Online Hate Speech: IUS Students Lead the Way at "Innovate for Peace" UNESCO Hackathon
UNESCO, within the framework of the three-year project “Social Media 4 Peace,” funded by the EU, organized a hackathon titled “Innovate for Peace: No to Hate Speech,” bringing together students, young journalists, and NGO activists from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event aimed to develop innovative digital solutions for identifying and combating hate speech in the online space.
Participants had the opportunity to work with experts and mentors, gaining valuable knowledge about identifying and addressing hate speech through workshops and practical activities: Prof. Dr. Lejla Turčilo from the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo, explored the complexities of hate speech and misinformation; Mr. Borislav Vukojević, Senior Assistant and UNESCO National Consultant, discussed the role of AI in addressing hate speech; Ms. Maida Bahto Kestendžić, a media ethics expert from the Press and Online Media Council, highlighted responsible media practices; and Mr. Emir Zulejhić, Editor at raskrinkavanje.ba, shared his expertise on fact-checking and countering misinformation.
Teams developed practical projects, focusing on creating applications and digital tools to combat hate speech. Participants were divided into teams, and three groups with the most compelling ideas—ZAADA, Pilići, and Mind Media—advanced to the finals.
The final event was held on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the UN Building in Sarajevo, where the teams presented their solutions.
Winner: ZAADA
- Team Members: Zijad Helja (IUS SE), Ali Dervović (IUS SE), Davud Ćuprija, Almin Duranović, and Amra Delalić.
- Solution: A Google browser extension that alerts users to misinformation on websites based on data from raskrinkavanje.ba.
Runner-up: Mind Media
- Team Members: Tea Dedić (IUS CSE), Afan Haznadarević (IUS EEE), Hamza Adilović (IUS SE), Lamija Veladžić (IUS SE), and Sumeja Mehić (IUS EEE).
- Solution: An interactive gamification platform that combines fun gameplay with a blog, encouraging children to explore and learn through engaging digital content.
Third Place: PeaceRun (Pilići)
- Team Members: Lamija Bucalović (IUS ME), Sara Humić (IUS PSY), Lukas Nikolić, and others.
- Solution: A virtual escape room game designed to promote peace, tolerance, and critical thinking through interactive puzzles and activities.
All hackathon participants received UNESCO certificates, while the winners were presented with special rewards.
The event demonstrated the creativity and innovation of young people in developing digital tools to combat hate speech and misinformation, contributing to a safer and more tolerant online environment. IUS proudly recognizes the significant involvement of its students in all three winning teams, reaffirming its commitment to fostering social responsibility and technological innovation.
