Session
Organizer 1: Tatevik Hovhannisyan, Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy
Speaker 1: Elmas Hasanovikj, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Alban Tartari, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Ana Stevanovic, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Tatevik Hovhannisyan, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Adam Reichardt, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Giorgi Iashvili, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Panel - Auditorium - 90 Min
1. What is the level of cooperation on digital security related matters among the countries in the region?
2. Does any country from these regions support/encourage multi-stakeholder engagement to address the digital security challenges?
3. Is the accumulated unique experience of the countries from these regions used for tackling the digital security-related challenges globally?
Connection with previous Messages:
4. Quality Education
4.4
4.7
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
16.1
16.10
16.8
Targets: The proposed panel discussion touches upon two of the UN SDGs: SDG4: Quality education and SDG16 Peace, justice and strong institutions. They are strictly connected with each other.
Cyber attacks and fake news have become the viruses of the 21st century that grow and spread rapidly. It is of urgent necessity to find a virtual vaccine - and the best one is proper education (SDG 4.4 and 4.7) which can be taken in the form of lifelong learning for adults, in this case, especially for the stakeholders as they are the decision makers and for the young generation as they are the future decision makers. Many state institutions in the region are not fully equipped with necessary knowledge, tools and skills to effectively fight the cyber attacks and the fake news.
Having quality education in the sphere of digital security both at the personal and state levels will guarantee the functioning of strong institutions, which can better address the national security of the country in general. At the same time, it is of greatest need for the institutions to learn, develop and agree on common norms of conduct in the digital and cyber space. Internationally adopted norms of conduct in cyberspace will bring concrete and predictable rules and regulations on which parties, including state and non-state actors, citizens of states and general public will agree on peaceful coexistence in cyberspace (SDG16.1).
Another aspect that we cover is related to the SDG16.8: “Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance”, because in particularly we will address the needs and demands of small states, since lack of sufficient human and financial resources risks sustainable development of not only these countries but slows down economic progression of the world.
Moreover, we will encourage institutions to provide quality educational materials for further exploring cyberspace and regulations, supply, participate get trustful, full and inclusive information SDG16.10.
To have strong institutions we need to make input in quality education and by saying quality education we mean
- regular, which is for the future decision makers,
- lifelong learning, which can be done through active collaboration between states with obtaining the best practices and implementation in the home countries by the decision makers.
Description:
In the era of a globalized economy and a rapidly developing security landscape, our critical infrastructure assets have become interconnected especially in regards to digital security. In this panel, we would like to approach digital security from two perspectives: the challenges in cyberspace and the utilization of different media tools for spreading fake news to achieve certain goals. The recent developments, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demonstrate that apart from Eastern Europe, Western Balkan countries are also on the frontlines of hybrid warfare in terms of massive information flow (together with an actual war in Europe) and often serve as a field for testing novel digital tactics, techniques and procedures in the form of fake news to generate certain narratives.
Especially since February 2022, the landscape of digital threats in both regions has significantly changed and the counter measures needed to increase resilience need to be changed accordingly. In this context we propose to hold a panel discussion with country representatives from Western Balkans to speak about the challenges of the region and peculiarities in separate countries in the light of the new shaping geopolitical reality. The panel discussion will also address the targeted challenges at a national level by proposing proper policy interventions of how to effectively adjust the organizational architecture and make sophisticated joint efforts from different stakeholders to be more productive. A policy recommendation is expected for the vulnerable states as well as personal level protection in the digital area.
The outcomes and follow up activities will again address two targets: the public at large who lack digital literacy and the stakeholders.
- For the vulnerable groups it is planned to elaborate and disseminate awareness raising digital poster-cards about how to fight fake news, disinformation and how to be digitally protected. These materials are anticipated to be disseminated through the WEASA network which covers 13 countries of Eastern Europe and Western Balkans through more than 400 alumni members reaching hundreds of governmental and non-governmental organizations, media and in collaboration with the IGF to raise the awareness inside the circle of the IGF. The cards will provide an opportunity for users to recognize fake news, fight against them and be digitally protected at a personal level.
- For the governmental stakeholders to prepare a recommendation paper for the states on how to fight disinformation and how to be protected in cyberspace. The policy recommendations will be published and disseminated among WEASA and IGF stakeholders. The recommendation paper will give practical skills and certain actions to be taken to be digitally protected at a national level.
Hybrid Format: Our initial plan is to be almost fully onsite but at the same time we might have several speakers online, which already means that we will prepare the whole panel discussion in a hybrid format with all traditional and innovative tools. We have sufficient experience in holding online sessions (our last 2 summer academies were held entirely online with highest evaluation rates by the participants).
During the panel discussion it is anticipated to use some data about fake news and digital security matters for which a screen will be needed. An online presentation will be used most probably prepared through either canva.com or prezi.com platforms.
Another tool like mentimeter will be used to keep the audience alive and interactive with asking them questions about their perception of fake news and digital security matters. All tools mentioned are tested and inclusive because they are convenient both for online and onsite meetings.
Usage of IGF Official Tool.