(Brussels, Monday, 27th June 2022) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Jewish Congress (EJC) co-hosted an international symposium “Addressing Conspiracy Theories Through Education” in Brussels. The event was held in order to strengthen educational responses through advocacy, research and training.
The event brought together governments, academia, civil society and the private sector for joint action, and had parts open for public advocacy as well as sessions of experts.
“When events are seemingly inexplicable, fear, uncertainty, and ignorance drive people to simplistic explanations. Today, with a global pandemic followed by war on the European continent on a scale not seen since World War II, we find ourselves at one such period,” said EJC Executive Vice President and CEO Raya Kalenova.
Among the speakers at the event were Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life and Nicola Beer, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Special envoy on combating religious discrimination, including antisemitism.
The symposium was organized in cooperation with the European Commission, the Cambridge University Social Decision-Making Lab and the Alfred Landecker Foundation.