- Soni Khanal
On 11th August 2026, 90 IB students took part in a HateBusters workshop with Crossing Borders. The workshop explored stereotypes, assumptions, discrimination, exclusion, and the courage to respond when someone is treated unfairly.
The day began with a challenge: how well can we really know someone from the information we are given? Students were given various facts about the facilitators and asked to guess who they were. As the activity unfolded, students discovered how quickly we can fill in gaps with our own assumptions and stereotypes, even when we have very little information to work with.
Starting with the people around us
The workshop then brought this reflection closer to their immediate environment. Students considered the assumptions they make about their friends and classmates, and how well they really know the people around them.
They reflected on the possibility that someone in their own classroom or friendship group may feel excluded without others noticing. Through the activities, they explored how everyday comments, interactions, and behaviors can influence people’s experiences of their surroundings and agreed that everyone should put in effort so that no one is left out.
From assumptions to discrimination
The next part of the workshop used different scenarios to explore how stereotypes and assumptions can contribute to discriminatory behavior.
Students discussed situations that may occur in everyday life and considered the importance of understanding the wider context. They explored how speaking to the person involved and listening to their perspective can help us understand what is happening rather than relying on our own assumptions.
The scenarios also highlighted that discrimination is not always obvious or extreme. It can appear in everyday interactions, comments and behaviours. Students reflected on how our choices can contribute to exclusion, but also on how we can choose to respond differently.
From recognizing injustice to having the courage to act
The workshop concluded with Civic Courage Activity.
Through different scenarios, students explored how they might respond when they witness unfair or discriminatory behavior. They considered when to speak up, how to support someone, when to seek help and how to intervene constructively.
The aim was not to provide one correct response. Instead, students were encouraged to build the awareness and confidence to recognize discrimination and decide how they can respond.
What does it mean to be a HateBuster?
Being a HateBuster means questioning stereotypes, being mindful of our own assumptions, recognizing discrimination, listening to others and having the courage to act when it matters.
The HateBusters workshop brought these ideas together through a journey from questioning what we assume, to understanding how assumptions can contribute to discrimination, and finally to considering how we can respond when we see injustice around us.
