“A specific session was devoted to the newly adopted Council of Europe Recommendation on combating hate speech that encourages member states to prepare and implement effective strategies to explore and address the root causes of hate speech, which include disinformation, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of individuals and groups but also to undertake a range of concrete measures to promote awareness raising, education, training, counter-speech, alternative speech and intercultural dialogue. This format of co-operation between equality bodies enables a platform for sharing information on applicable European/international standards, guidelines, examples of good practices but also for discussing challenges and possibilities for improvements through mutual support.”