Manifesto of non-hostile communication

University - 29 July 2020

IULM University has joined the Manifesto of Non-Hostile Communication, a social project to raise awareness against the violence of words.

The power of words: they can move, unite, warm the heart. Or they can hurt, offend, separate. On the Web, aggressiveness often dominates tweets, posts, status and stories. If it is true that social media are virtual places, it is equally true that the people who meet there are real, and that the consequences of the language one uses to communicate is real. For this reason today, especially on the Web, we must pay more and more attention to the use of words and communication tools. To emphasize the attention to this important issue, IULM University has therefore joined a social project to raise awareness against the violence of words by signing the Manifesto of non-hostile communication, promoted by the association Parole Ostili.

The Manifesto, to which other important universities such as Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche Luiss, Università Lumsa, Università di Trieste, IUSTO, Università di Brescia, Università de L'Aquila, Università di Genova, Università di Salerno, Università di Camerino, Università di Udine, Università di Teramo have also adhered, aims to raise people's awareness of the issues of education and digital citizenship, encourage the conscious and correct use of online communication tools and spread the positive attitude to choose words with care.

The Non-Hostile Communication Manifesto:

1. Virtual is real
I only say and write things online that I have the courage to say in person.
2. You are what you communicate
The words I choose tell the person I am: they represent me.
3. Words give shape to the thought
I'm taking the time to express what I think best.
4. Before speaking you must listen
Nobody's always right, not even me.
I listen with honesty and openness.
5. Words are a bridge
I choose words to understand, to make myself understood, to get closer to others.
6. Words have consequences
I know that every word I say can have consequences, big or small.
7. Sharing is a responsibility
I share texts and images only after I have read, assessed and understood them.
8. Ideas can be discussed. People must respect each other
I do not transform those who support opinions that I do not share into an enemy to destroy.
9. Insults are not arguments
I don't accept insults and aggression, not even in support of my thesis.
10. Even silence communicates
When the best choice is to keep silent, I keep silent.