The panel focuses on the role of religious and youth actors in contributing to countering hate speech in Europe from different academic/research perspectives. Special attention is given to showcasing specific case studies from religious communities as well as youth organisations to counteract hate speech via media, cultural, and interfaith and interreligious initiatives. Hate speech is on the rise not only in Europe but worldwide, especially spreading fast through social media, threatening the peace and security of societies. In the papers gathered within this panel, special attention will be given to the approaches to countering hate speech with the aim of providing policy-relevant arguments which could contribute to the overall discussion on religion, youth and countering hate speech in Europe. Chair: Aleksandra Djuric Milovanovic (International Dialogue Center KAICIID / Institute for Balkan Studies SASA)Speakers:Peter Petkoff (Brunel Law School), Bring Freedom of Expression Back Again – Uncomfortable Overlapping approaches between hate-speech and blasphemyMaria Lucia Uribe Torres (Arigatou International) , Ethics Education to create a Culture of Encounter among YouthKishan Manocha (ODHIR/OSCE), Youth, shared human identity and strengthening the foundations of mutual respect and understanding in the context of the war in UkrainePatrice Brodeur (University of Montreal/International Dialogue Center KAICIID), Religion, Youth and Countering Hate Speech in Europe: the Interdisciplinary case of KAICIID’s interreligious training to combat hate speech online