On March 21st 2023, I hosted a workshop in French at UNESCO headquarters in Paris called The Hidden Power of Memes, part of the Master Class Series on Racism and Discrimination. 20 students, aged 12 to 17, joined me to explore how memes — those small images or videos we often see online — can be powerful tools for noticing, questioning, and challenging racism and discrimination.

During the workshop, along with the students we went through key concepts such as discrimination, racism, stereotypes, and privilege. To make these concepts more easy to understand, I used a non-formal education approach with activities that encouraged reflection.

The students then brought their creativity to life by participating in the #antiracist campaign, creating nine original memes. Each one was bold, thoughtful, and a perfect example of how creativity and advocacy can intersect. 

The workshop provided a safe and inclusive space where students could share their thoughts, ask questions, and see the world from perspectives different from their own. By the end of the session, they had more than just meme-making skills — they had tools to recognize discrimination and challenge privilege online.