Technological advancements are revolutionizing how people connect, communicate, and access information, creating unprecedented opportunities for sharing knowledge and fostering cooperation and advancements in all human disciplines. However, these same innovations have enabled the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, posing significant risks to the integrity of the information ecosystem. Safeguarding this integrity is essential to protecting human rights, peace and security, and a sustainable future.

The international community continues to grapple with the geopolitical and societal challenges posed by these phenomena. Misinformation and disinformation increase vulnerability and amplify risks, while hate speech undermines dignity and safety, often inciting violence and creating societal instability. Recognizing the severity of these issues, the UN General Assembly has called for international cooperation to counter their spread, as reflected in the Secretary-General’s 2022 report on disinformation and the 2021 resolution establishing the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
In June 2024, the UN published its Global Principles for Information Integrity, which addresses these challenges by promoting transparency, accountability, and collaboration among governments, tech companies, civil society, and individuals. These guidelines aim to combat harmful narratives, protect human rights, and foster trust by creating a secure and inclusive digital space.

The 3rd edition of the Summer School on Misinformation, Disinformation, and Hate Speech will be delivered in a hybrid format from 30 June to 4 July 2025 by UNICRI and the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI).

The Summer School will provide participants with a fundamental understanding of the various dimensions of disinformation, hate speech, and fake news, including the role of social media in war and political propaganda campaigns. The existing international legal and policy frameworks will be examined to improve participants’ ability to address the issue comprehensively and promote their role as advocates for an effective change in public policies, strategies, and practices. More specifically, the curriculum includes the following topics:

• The difference between disinformation and misinformation and the different types of disinformation and misinformation.
• The difference between hate speech and freedom of expression.
• An overview of the international legal framework and human rights standards used to counter hate speech and disinformation.
• The role of fake news in fuelling hate speech and the link between fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
• The role of social media hate speech and disinformation in war and political propaganda campaigns.
• The role of AI in disinformation.
• Disinformation: techniques and strategies. Tools to detect and debunk disinformation.
• Tools to monitor and respond to misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech – including the role of media.
• Proposing a counternarrative to hate speech – Debunking as a method of uncovering hate speech, disinformation, misinformation, and fake news.

The course is intended for university and post-graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, media and other professionals, including United Nations (UN) personnel, as well as anyone interested in gaining an understanding of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech, how they manifest themselves and what tools are available to combat them.

The Summer School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through theoretical lectures, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty is composed of expert scholars and academics from leading universities, representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and the civil society.

Whether attending the course in person at the SIOI’s historical premises in the centre of Rome (Italy), or through a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with international recognized experts and peers from all over the world, to exchange view and opinions and build lasting professional relationships. The course experience aims to fostering intercultural dialogue and to promoting a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most complex and debated issues.

Entry requirements

The course is intended for university and post-graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, media and other professionals, including United Nations (UN) personnel, as well as anyone interested in gaining an understanding of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech; how they manifest themselves and what tools are available to combat them.
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
• Possess a strong command of the English language.

Course methodology

The Summer School adopts a hybrid model of learning, which allows participants to attend lectures either in person or virtually through their own device, so as to adjust to individual needs.

Classes will be delivered live for those participants on-site and will be streamed for those connected remotely. Special attention will be devoted to ensuring synchronous and seamless interaction with and amongst instructors and participants, both online and in class.

The class schedule may be subject to change for additional activities, which will be communicated before the course begins. Absences resulting from inadequate planning will not be considered justified. Participants who do not complete the course will not be entitled to the certificate award, refunds, or reductions in registration fees.

In-person modality
Classes take place at SIOI in Rome (Italy) from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST.

Online modality
Classes will be streamed via a dedicated online platform from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST from Monday to Friday. Online participants are expected to adjust their schedules to fully participate in the classes irrespective of the time zones they are in.
Participants need a computer (recommended) or a mobile device with audio and video capabilities, a headset with a microphone to connect to the audio through the computer or mobile device, as well as a reliable internet connection. We recommend accessing audio through the computer. No special software is required. Upon acceptance to the course, participants will be provided with the information to access the platform.

Certificate of participation

Upon completion of the entire Summer School programme, participants will receive a certificate of participation jointly released by the United Nations and SIOI. The Organizers retain the discretion to consider severe reasons for absences when issuing the certificate.

Contacts

Email: unicri.courses@un.org – formint@sioi.org (please indicate “Disinformation and Hate Speech” in the subject of the email)
UNICRI: +39 06 6789 907 | SIOI: +39 06 6920781

How to Apply:

How to apply

The selection is carried out on a rolling basis.
• Application deadline: please complete and send the application form – and a scanned copy of your valid passport – to unicri.courses@un.org and formint@sioi.org by 16 June 2025.
• Confirmation of acceptance: the results of the selection process will be communicated via e-mail within 1 week following receipt of the application.
• Payment deadline: full payment has to be finalized within 1 week following confirmation of acceptance (i.e. candidates should provide UNICRI and SIOI with proof of payment via e-mail to unicri.courses@un.org and formint@sioi.org).

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM 2025

Applicants requiring a VISA (IMPORTANT)
Applicants requiring a visa are advised to submit an early application (preferably by 31 March 2025) and notify the Administrative Office of this circumstance. The visa shall be issued by the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities in the countries of nationality or residence of participants or the relevant Visa Application Center.
Please consider that booking an appointment with the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities or the Visa Application Center may take up to 3 months and issuing a visa takes approximately 30 days. Neither UNICRI nor SIOI can be held accountable in case of visa refusal.