On 18 November 2021, the CSLS held the discussion forum "Language and Harm: Why Words Matter" in the PROGR auditorium (in downtown Bern). Various social actors participated in the forum, including Dirk Baier (Professor of Criminology), Morgane Bonvallat (staff member of allianceF), Fork Burke (poet), Yvonne Feri (member of the National Council), Itziar Marañón (project manager at the City of Bern's Department of Migration and Racism), and Sylvie Tissot (Professor of Sociology). Together they discussed current theories on hate speech and other forms of harmful language in the Swiss context in a transparent and accessible way. The audience of about 80 people engaged in the plenary discussion that followed. The event was translated into German, French and English by interpreters and supported by the BEKB Förderfonds and the Burgergemeinde Bern.
