Amidst the rapid flow of digital information, hate speech has become an increasingly serious and worrying threat. This phenomenon not only poisons online discussion spaces but also has the potential to trigger violent extremism in the real world. In response to this challenge, various civil society organisations (CSOs) in Southeast Asia continue to seek innovative methods to stem the tide. One of the leading initiatives comes from SEAN-CSO through their intensive four-day SAFER workshop held at Deakin Lancaster University Indonesia in Bandung.
This article explores the story of change from Anggi Kumala, a participant from Bersinergi Institute from Indonesia, who discovered inspiration and new strategies to implement in her community after attending a three-day workshop. Her story is clear evidence that training can be a turning point, transforming insights into action.
The Challenge of Hate Speech in the Eyes of an Educator
Anggi, a representative from the Bersinergi Institute, an independent organisation focused on human security threats, attended the workshop with a sense of unease. As an educator, she has seen firsthand how hate speech is a growing problem, especially among the younger generation.
“This is a top priority right now,” Anggi said in an interview. “This issue is very serious and continues to grow, especially in today’s digital age.”
According to her, the fight against hate speech should no longer be a seasonal campaign, but should be fundamentally integrated into the education system. ‘I feel that methods to prevent our children from engaging in hate speech, both online and offline, should already be part of education,’ she added. It was this concern that brought her to the SEAN-CSO workshop, hoping to find a new mindset, toolset, and skillset.
A Turning Point of Inspiration: The Power of Gamification in Peace Education
Over three days, participants were presented with a variety of materials from experts, ranging from technology and storytelling to the use of creative media. However, for Anggi, the session that left the deepest impression and opened up new horizons was about gamification.
“I really enjoyed the gamification session,” she said enthusiastically. Her inspiration came after hearing presentations from speakers, including Luthfi and Eko, who highlighted how games can be effective teaching tools.
“What Ms. Lufthi (Defit) from PeaceGen presented was very inspiring, especially about games designed specifically by peace educators,” explained Anggi. This session made her realise that the approach to complex issues such as hate speech does not always have to be rigid and formal. Through games, concepts such as empathy, tolerance, and critical thinking can be conveyed in a more enjoyable and easily absorbed way by young people.
This approach is in line with the goals of modern education, which demands interaction and active student involvement. Gamification offers an effective solution for turning heavy topics into engaging and transformative learning experiences.
From Insight to Action: Bersinergi Institute’s Concrete Plan
Returning from the workshop, Anggi and Bersinergi Institute brought back not only certificates but also a concrete action plan. The insights gained, particularly regarding gamification and digital literacy, will soon be implemented in their outreach programmes.
“Bersinergi Institute plans to visit several Islamic education centres, or what we know as pesantren (Islamic Schools),” said Anggi.
The choice of pesantren as the main target is not without reason. Pesantren are educational centres that accommodate thousands of young people, most of whom are very active in the digital world but may not yet be fully exposed to comprehensive digital literacy education.
Their action plan centres on three main pillars:
- Building Youth Resilience: Equipping santri (students) to be more resilient in the face of narratives of hatred and extremism.
- Empowering Digital Ambassadors: Creating agents of change within the pesantren community itself. These ambassadors will be trained to promote digital literacy and spread positive messages in their environment.
- Community-Based Education: Sharing the knowledge gained from the SEAN-CSO workshop with young people in Islamic boarding schools, focusing on the topics studied during the three days.
‘We are very serious about empowering digital ambassadors to promote digital literacy and want to participate in building young people’s resilience to hate speech and extremism,’ Anggi emphasised.
A Lasting Impression: More Than Just Training
The success of a workshop is not only measured by the quality of its material, but also by the experience of the participants. Anggi expressed his high appreciation to the SEAN-CSO organisers.
“I am very inspired by the entire crew. Everyone here is very friendly and the preparations were very thorough,” she praised. She highlighted various aspects, from logistics such as food and transportation, to unique experiences such as a tour around the city of Bandung, which she rarely finds in similar events.
This positive experience created a conducive learning environment, where participants from different countries and backgrounds felt comfortable networking, sharing ideas, and collaborating.
Conclusion: New Energy for a Safer Digital Space
Anggi’s story reflects the main objective of the SEAN-CSO workshop: not just to transfer knowledge, but to ignite passion and inspire real action. Her journey shows how the insights gained from a training space can be transformed into a real grassroots movement.
By adopting innovative methods such as gamification and focusing on empowering digital ambassadors in communities such as Islamic boarding schools, Bersinergi Institute now has stronger new tools at its disposal. The fight against hate speech is a marathon, not a sprint. Initiatives such as those carried out by SEAN-CSO and the follow-up actions of its participants are important fuel to keep running, in order to create a safer, more inclusive and peaceful digital space for all.
If you are interested in SEAN-CSO activities like Anggi, follow our social media for more information: Instagram @sean.cso & X @sean_cso
SEAN-CSO provides a platform for civil society organisations in Southeast Asia to network and share resources. Through this network, members can support each other, share knowledge, and coordinate efforts to address the region’s social challenges. In doing so, SEAN-CSO contributes to strengthening the voice of civil society at both regional and international levels.