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Access to information and Internet freedom are more important than ever in times of lockdown and the post-pandemic world.
We see a rapid transformation in the way people work as millions switch to remote jobs and digital teams. Coronavirus makes people rely on Internet more as they use it to connect with their colleagues, monitor news, order food, and even voice their citizen dissatisfaction. We have had online rallies and political meetings, and we see how citizens emerge and gather digitally to discuss the government’s handling of the crisis.
With an open Internet and more government data online, it is relatively easy to access information and monitor public spending. Yet, what happens when the digital freedoms are taken away from the citizens? Who governs the Internet in the first place, and who is responsible for opening up government data for citizens to check?
Last year, the EU passed a controversial copyright directive which many criticized for limiting online freedom of expression. This year, as a result of the pandemic, tracking apps were introduced to collect citizens’ data and monitor how people were moving and self-isolating during the quarantine. While these developments have been advertised as tools to protect the people, they also raise some red flags about digital freedom and the government’s role in guaranteeing it.
Currently, most European countries enjoy a relatively high level of Internet freedom combined with high Internet penetration. In addition, many European governments have committed to opening more public data and creating platforms for citizens to monitor public spending. However, challenges remain as shown with mismanagement of finances during the pandemic or new digital regulations which were put in place because of the coronavirus crisis.
In times like these, it is crucial to understand the rights and freedoms of the citizens when it comes to digital space as well as public and personal data. Therefore, United Europe is organizing a Young Professional Seminar which focuses on the crucial issues related to Internet governance and open government in Europe. The event, which consists of two online meetups, aims to shed light on the most important digital developments in Europe and the role of citizens in the Internet-oriented reality.
The seminar is led by Anna Romandash, an award-winning journalist from Ukraine and Young Professional Advisor of United Europe.
Anna has collaborated with Open Government Partnership, Freedom House, and Deutsche Welle. She works as a reporter and a digital policy expert focusing on sustainable media development, human rights, and access to information. She has worked on media-related projects in Eastern Europe at Digital Communication Network, and is a Hansen Summer Institute, Personal Democracy Forum, and ICANN fellow.
The seminar language will be English.
United Europe is organizing a Young Professional Seminar which focuses on the crucial issues related to Internet governance and open government in Europe.
As a prework, 25 European talents from all professions applicants are required to write a short text (1 – 2 DIN A4 pages/6.500 characters max) about one of the mentioned questions above:
– How does Internet Governance take place in the EU and neighboring European countries?
– How does it reflect current governing mechanisms?
– What are the Internet Governance implications for other governance areas?
– Who are the main stakeholders, and how do they cooperate?
– Open government in Europe and beyond: What is it and how to use it?
– How can citizens access public data?
– Who and how can investigate government information?
– How do we make sure that all are involved (people with disabilities, for example?)
– How do we implement e-governance initiatives and educate the public?
– What are the implications for struggling democracies?
26th June, 17.00 – 19.00 hrs, and Friday, 3rd July, 17.00 – 19.00 hrs, CET online
The event, which consists of two online meetups, aims to shed light on the most important digital developments in Europe and the role of citizens in the Internet-oriented reality.
Applications must include this very text, a brief cover letter indicating interest and motivation (1 page, including the question, what you expect from this seminar), together with a CV (incl. a photo and the date of birth, max. 2 pages). All documents must be submitted electronically in PDF format in English language and should not exceed 2 GB. We can only consider complete applications.
As a prework, applicants are required to write a short text (1 – 2 DIN A4 pages/6.500 characters max) about one of the mentioned questions above.
You are welcome to create the essay from your personal view and considering the specific situation of your country.
For more information and how to apply please visit the official link.
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