ABSTRACT
Hate discourse is spreading over Europe, promoted by far-right parties and political movements against immigrants and refugees. However, in the face of hatred, there are many initiatives that, from individual people to civic movements and schools, are achieving success in preventing hate and creating solidarity and coexistence through dialogue. This chapter presents four of these interrupting initiatives. First, the WORKALO research project, which achieved the recognition of the Roma people in Europe. Second, La Verneda-Sant Marti School for Adults in Barcelona, a school with adult learners from very diverse religions and cultural origins who, a few hours after a terrorist attack in Madrid in 2004, mobilized in rejecting any type of violence and demanding respect for all. Third, Open Arms, a non-profit organization created by two friends, which has saved thousands of refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, the Mare de Deu de Montserrat School in Terrassa (Spain), a primary education school located in a neighborhood with marked socioeconomic difficulties, a high percentage of immigrant Muslim and Roma families, and which is achieving excellent results in the improvement of all students’ learning while creating a violence-free environment, the reason for which this school received the 2018 Best Catalan School Prize awarded by the Circle of Economy Foundation.
