■Date & Time

Monday, 2 July 2018, 14:45-16:15

■Venue

Building 22, Conference Room 818, Waseda Campus

■Title

”Digital Terrorism & Hate: The Troubling Growth of Hate & Terror Activity in the Digital Age”

■Speaker

Rabbi Abraham Cooper

Rabbi Abraham Cooper is the associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).  A longtime activist for Jewish and human rights causes on five continents, Rabbi Cooper regularly meets with world leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI, presidents and foreign ministers to defend the rights of the Jewish people, combat terrorism and promote intergroup relations.  For three decades, Rabbi Cooper has overseen the Wiesenthal Center’s international social action agenda and worldwide promotion of tolerance education. He is widely recognized as a pioneer and international authority on issues related to Digital Hate and Terrorism.

■Abstract

The Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Digital Terrorism & Hate Project is an annual study of the troubling growth of hate and terrorist activity in the Digital Age. Online networking and social media are increasingly the weapon of choice for bigots and terrorists, comprising a subculture of hate. The internet in general continues to serve as the incubator and validator of 9/11, other notorious ‘conspiracy theories’ as well as a disturbing spike in attacks against religious minorities in the US and abroad.

Recent examples include the use of internet technologies to target blacks, Jews & other minorities in the United States, Muslims in Burma and Christians in Nigeria, as well as the intimidation of ethnic Koreans & Chinese in Japan.

Additionally, the full range of Internet technologies have been harnessed by Islamist terrorists and their supporters to recruit and encourage “Lone Wolf” terrorists. These tactics were heavily utilized by the Yemen-based radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Hate games remain a prominent component of the online subculture of hate targeting gays, immigrants, African Americans and Jews.

As the traffic on social networking sites increase, so do the potential dividends for hate and terror groups. For this reason, Rabbi Abraham Cooper has argued that it is imperative law enforcement professionals are aware of the trends in digital hate and can take a stand against it.

■Language

English

■Audience

Students, Faculty, Staff and General Public

■Registration

Required

https://my.waseda.jp/application/noauth/application-detail-noauth?param=frExltuKHiC9XDrVFmwfaQ