The morning began with the arrival of hackathon teams at 8:30 a.m. As participants settled back into their workspaces, the atmosphere was one of excitement and focus. The ideas first developed the previous day had already begun to evolve, and teams eagerly resumed their collaboration. Following a brief welcome, participants dove straight into mentor-supported working sessions, where experts continued to guide and challenge teams as they refined their concepts and transformed ambitious ideas into practical solutions.

One of the highlights of the morning was a lively and engaging debate on the motion: “Online hate speech is Europe’s biggest threat to youth’s involvement in democracy.” Speakers from across Europe and beyond passionately defended their positions, demonstrating not only their knowledge and conviction but also the spirit of open dialogue that lies at the heart of democratic engagement.

The debate sparked thoughtful reactions from the audience, whose feedback contributed to a dynamic exchange of ideas. The session demonstrated the value of respectful disagreement and highlighted the importance of maintaining spaces where diverse opinions can be heard and discussed constructively.

At noon, participants heard reflections from Alain Berset and Gilles Marchand, Director of the Initiative Media Philanthropy at the University of Geneva. Their remarks emphasized the responsibility shared by institutions, journalists, and citizens in promoting trustworthy information and fostering democratic resilience. Their reflections provided a fitting transition to the Journalism Excellence Awards ceremony that followed.

The day concluded on a celebratory note with a private gathering hosted at the residence of the Secretary General. Bringing together hackathoneers in a more informal setting, the evening provided an opportunity to relax, celebrate progress made so far, and strengthen the friendships and connections that have become defining features of the week.

From passionate debates and inspiring ceremonies to intensive collaboration and memorable encounters, the second day of No Hate Speech Week and the Democracy Hackathon demonstrated once again the remarkable energy and commitment of everyone involved. With projects taking shape and momentum building, participants now look ahead to the coming days with optimism, creativity, and a shared determination to make a lasting impact.