Dialogue Society was proud to have acted as a main partner in the Hate Crime Conference 2025, “From Adversity to Diversity – Do You Know Who I Am?”, which took place on Thursday 16 October 2025 at South Shields Town Hall.
The conference was organised by South Tyneside Safeguarding Adult Board and South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Partnership, in partnership with South Tyneside Council. The event brought together statutory services, third-sector organisations, academics, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience to explore responses to hate crime, extremism, and community cohesion.
Conference Overview
The event provided a comprehensive programme of expert presentations, lived-experience testimonies, and practical discussions aimed at strengthening safeguarding approaches and promoting inclusive communities.
Key themes explored throughout the day included:
The impact of hate crime through lived experience
Ethical considerations around Artificial Intelligence and risk management
Community cohesion and national trends in social division
Racism, extremism, and harmful online narratives
The influence of online behaviour on children and young people
The role of civil society, education, and sport in challenging hate
Innovations supporting hate crime awareness and reporting
Speakers represented local government, policing, academia, national organisations, and community groups, reinforcing a strong multi-agency approach.
Dialogue Society Contribution
Building Community Trust: The Role of the Third Sector in Preventing Hate
As a main partner, Dialogue Society delivered a dedicated presentation titled:
“Building Community Trust: The Role of the Third Sector in Preventing Hate”
The session highlighted the importance of the third sector in prevention work, focusing on research findings, grassroots engagement, and project-based practice.
Key areas covered included:
Research insights into hate crime and social polarisation
The role of third-sector organisations in early intervention
Youth leadership as a preventative approach
Community dialogue as a tool for trust-building and cohesion
Examples of effective third-sector projects
The presentation was delivered by: Sevgi Unal, Youth Leader and Tugay Yalcin, Regional Director
Community Engagement and Cultural Exchange
The conference also created space for networking, exhibitions, and informal engagement. Dialogue Society supported the event by providing multicultural food, reflecting the values of inclusion, diversity, and shared community experiences.
Continuing the Work
Dialogue Society values its collaboration with South Tyneside Council, and partner organisations. The conference reinforced the importance of partnership working in tackling hate crime, preventing extremism, and strengthening community trust.
We remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote dialogue, empower young people, and build cohesive communities across the UK.
