17. 5. 2021 | PR, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries
The first online closed-door session for BiH governmental officials ‘Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans’ successfully concludes
On April 14, CEP has organised the first workshop designed for governmental officials coming from BiH aimed at supporting the governments of WB6 in building their national system of countering foreign perpetrated disinformation.
The training was opened by CEP Project Manager, Ana Ješe Perković and CEP Executive Director Katja Geršak who presented the aim of the project and the workshop. The training activities of the first day continued with two expert presentations. Mr Roman Osadchuk, an expert from the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab gave the participants an overview of what is disinformation, how to counter it and what are the most useful online tools we can use to deal with disinformation. The second expert, Mr Darko Brkan from a Bosnian fact-checking NGO Zašto ne presented the current disinformation trends in the Western Balkans. The first day concluded with a discussion about the main problems regarding foreign perpetrated disinformation in BiH and what should be done to tackle it.
The second part of the training was held on May 17th, with a guest lecturer from the Lithuanian MFA – an expert working on strategic communications presented us the Lithuanian case study on how to effectively counter disinformation. The participants learned about how Lithuania formed a coordination group among 4 different ministries and what were the biggest obstacles in doing that. Governmental officials from BiH discussed what needs to be done to establish a similar system in their country.
What they learned from the Lithuanian case study is that apart from reacting and debunking disinformation, it is important as well to tell the wider story behind the disinformation and to spread awareness about the fake narratives to the wider public.
Apart from bigger cooperation from the governmental institutions, we also need to collaborate with local civil society and media. A good example could be public consultations among those three stakeholders or an organisation of a media literacy festival.
More about the project activities here.
The series of workshops is a part of the project supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Slovenia’s Development Cooperation Programme.
![[Invitation] May 20 – Strategic Autonomy In A Globally Interdependent World](https://www.cep.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Save-the-Date-12.00-CET-1080x640.png)
14. 5. 2021 | PR, Transformative Power of Digital
The Centre for European Perspective and the Eastern Europe Studies Centre invite you to a webinar titled:
Strategic Autonomy in a Globally Interdependent World: What’s Next for Europe?
Thursday, May 20, 12.00 CET
Register here
Strategic autonomy has entered the EU vocabulary in 2013 as a security and defence issue. Rapidly changing world balance and political changes in traditionally friendly countries forced the EU to expand strategic autonomy to new sectors. Nevertheless, member states still tend to view it in different terms, in part due to countries pursuing different development strategies and working independently from one another.
The current pandemic fully revealed the importance of digital technologies, which have taken centre stage in discussions on strategic autonomy. Technologic rivalry among global players only exacerbates fears about the future EU dependence on foreign companies. On the other hand, underinvestment, market fragmentation and poorly designed regulation prevent European tech companies from competing on a global market effectively.
• How should we perceive the quest for strategic autonomy, and what does it mean for Europe?
• What impact will this concept have on digital development and the way we do business?
• What impact will technological rivalry have on Europe?
• What role can CEE have in bridging the differences within the EU?
• Where are we leading the way, and where are we lagging behind?
Joining us to discuss these questions are:
❖ Dr Giedrius Česnakas, Head of Political Science Study Programs, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania
❖ Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Chairman, Committee on National Security and Defence of the Lithuanian parliament
❖ Mindaugas Ubartas, Director, Infobalt
❖ Dr Uroš Svete, Director, Information Security Administration of the Republic of Slovenia
❖ Dr Marko Grobelnik, AI Researcher & Digital Champion of Slovenia at EC, Jožef Stefan Institute
Moderated by Katja Geršak, Executive Director, Centre for European Perspective (CEP)
Join us and register here!
12. 5. 2021 | EUPCST, POTC, PR
Following a successful pilot training organised in 2020, the Centre for European Perspective is organising an online training on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations. The training will take place in the period from the 18th to the 20th of May 2021.
The online lectures, workshops and participatory activities will cover the basic topics regarding gender equality and mainstreaming. Participants will gain skills and knowledge that will help them engage all stakeholders regarding gender equality and include the perspectives of women in their efforts to build sustainable peace.
The Online Training will be carried out by the Peace Operations Training Centre operating within CEP with the support of the European Union Police and Civilian Services Training.
![[Webinar] Transformative Power of Digital](https://www.cep.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CEP-Power-of-Digital-SM-banner-TW-FB.png)
7. 5. 2021 | PR, Transformative Power of Digital
? The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our economies, workplaces, daily habits, as well as international relations. It has put a damper on globalization and accentuated global rivalries. It brought with it an increased sense of vulnerability. But as with every crisis, it also ushered in unique opportunities by greatly accelerating digital adoption. The CEE now has a chance to make a true leap in digital development. This can only be achieved through close regional cooperation ? aimed at fostering digital transformation.
On the 6th of May, the Centre for European Perspective – CEP and the Instytut Kościuszki organized a joint webinar entitled Transformative Power of Digital to discuss the region’s digital future’s economic, security, and geopolitical aspects.
This discussion was moderated by Katja Geršak, Executive Director of the Centre for European Perspective, with the opening address by Izabela Albrycht, Chair of the Kosciuszko Institute.
With speakers ?️
▪️ Peter Geršak, State Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration of the Republic of Slovenia,
▪️ Robert Kośla, Director of the Department of Cybersecurity, Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland,
▪️ Ambassador Tadeusz Chomicki, Ambassador for Cyber & Tech Affairs, Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland,
▪️ Ambassador Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.
The debate put focus on the questions:
◾ How will digitalization contribute to the resilience of the region?
◾ How would closer cooperation of the region impact the EU discussions around the concept of strategic autonomy?
◾ What role does the Transatlantic partnership play in enhancing regional cooperation?
? On this occasion, we are also launching a report entitled: ?????????????? ????? ?? ???????: ??????? ??? ??????? ??????’? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????????, ?????????? ??? ??????????
Read it here.
Watch the recording of the webinar here:
![[Joint Report] Transformative Power of Digital: Central and Eastern Europe’s leap towards greater prosperity, innovation and resilience](https://www.cep.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Report-banner-Transformative-Power-of-Digital-1024x538.png)
3. 5. 2021 | PR, Transformative Power of Digital
Transformative Power of Digital: Central and Eastern Europe’s leap towards greater prosperity, innovation and resilience – a new joint report by the Centre for European Perspective and the Kosciuszko Institute
Together with the Kosciuszko Institute, the Centre for European Perspective – CEP is proud to announce a joint report, Transformative Power of Digital: Central and Eastern Europe’s leap towards greater prosperity, innovation and resilience.
DO NOT MISS the inaugural discussion around cooperation on digital transformation in CEE and the report’s main points!
On the 6th of May, the Centre for European Perspective – CEP and the Kosciuszko Institute will hold a joint webinar to discuss the region’s digital future’s economic, security, and geopolitical aspects.
Register for the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ljaul2lFQcSffsmhH74yvw
This discussion, organized by the Centre for European Perspective – CEP in partnership with the Kosciuszko institute, will be moderated by Katja Geršak, Executive Director of the Centre for European Perspective, with opening address by Izabela Albrycht, Chair of the Kosciuszko Institute and speakers Peter Geršak, State Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Kośla, Director of the Department of Cybersecurity, The Chancellery of The Prime Minister of Poland, Ambassador Tadeusz Chomicki, Ambassador for Cyber & Tech Affairs, Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, and Ambassador Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Estonia.
The debate will put focus on the questions:
- How will digitalization contribute to the resilience of the region?
- How would closer cooperation of the region impact the EU discussions around the concept of strategic autonomy?
- What role does the Transatlantic partnership play in enhancing regional cooperation?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our economies, workplaces, daily habits, as well as international relations. It has put a damper on globalization and accentuated global rivalries. It brought with it an increased sense of vulnerability. But as with every crisis, it also ushered in unique opportunities by greatly accelerating digital adoption. The CEE now has a chance to make a true leap in digital development. This can only be achieved through close regional cooperation aimed at fostering digital transformation.
The report provides an overview of crucial needs and areas for CEE countries to leap to a digitally-enabled future and overcome centuries-old fragmentation and disjointment of infrastructure that hampers its development. The publication aims to define a strategic direction that has to be pursued so CEE can emerge as a cohesive region that enables dynamic, profitable and innovative intra-regional cooperation. Through cooperation, the countries of the region should strive to:
- foster a thriving digital market, where enterprises are able with the use of digital tools to scale up their operations to a regional level,
- create the necessary conditions and regulatory environment that contribute to the strengthening and development of Europe’s industrial and technological capacities.
- advance smart connectivity in CEE through investments and joint undertakings in the development of state-of-the-art digital infrastructure linking the region from North to South,
- work together and coordinate on their endeavours in building digital capabilities necessary for maintaining and enhancing region’s position in European and global economy,
- cybersecurity by design has to be embedded in every digital venture embarked on (regardless of the sector), and closer cooperation between regional cybersecurity institutions should be pursued to build up regions’ cyber resilience,
- increase their efforts to accelerate the 3 Seas Initiative aimed to develop infrastructure in energy, transport and digital sectors, which also provides an excellent venue for strengthening the region, EU’s overall cohesion and resilience, and Transatlantic relations.
Read the executive summary and download the report HERE: Transformative Power of Digital
Register for the webinar on the 6th of May HERE.
