Conclusion of the ‘Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans’ project

Conclusion of the ‘Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans’ project

12. 4. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Strategic Communication, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries

The final act of the ‘Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans’ project unfolded as a comprehensive three-day regional training held online from April 9 to April 11, 2024. This event served as a platform for civil society, media, and government representatives from the six Western Balkan countries to collaborate on addressing and combating the extensive issue of disinformation in the region.

The conference began with an address by Ingrid Omahna (CEP), setting the stage for subsequent discussions. After that, on the first day, we had experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Global Engagement Centre (GEC) and European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) with us. Craig Matasick (OECD) emphasised the importance of robust governance measures and institutional frameworks in safeguarding the information space’s integrity; Iva Nenadić (EDMO) talked about actionable insights for combating disinformation, and experts from GEC presented a Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation, new tool addressing the challenge of disinformation.

On the second day, the focus was on best practices to counter disinformation. The Elves, a Lithuanian civil society initiative, joined us, presenting the perspective of non-governmental organisations on disinformation. The governmental viewpoint was discussed by the Czech Centre against Hybrid Threats. The media’s perspective was discussed with Joscha Weber from Deutsche Welle. He highlighted the media’s role and the importance of responsible journalism in countering disinformation effectively. The program offered a comprehensive understanding of disinformation from diverse stakeholder perspectives. On the final day, they showcased case studies from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, addressing different aspects of disinformation. They revealed distinct challenges and strategies.

The group work sessions were a pivotal aspect of the training, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage in collaborative discussions and exchange ideas. These interactive sessions were not just about preparing national proposals to counter external disinformation but also about recognising the crucial role of each participant in this process.

Overall, the regional training was not just a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing but also a source of empowerment. Led by leading experts in the field, it equipped participants with practical tools, methodologies, and best practices to address the multifaceted challenge of disinformation effectively.

The Project Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Disinformation in the Western Balkans is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia through development cooperation funds.

The third and final Regional Capacity-Building Training of the ‘Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the six Western Balkan Countries’ Project

The third and final Regional Capacity-Building Training of the ‘Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the six Western Balkan Countries’ Project

2. 4. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Strategic Communication, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries

Več o projektnih aktivnostih v slovenskem jeziku najdete tu.

Our Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans project is slowly coming to an end. We are organising the last event, the third regional capacity-building training, in this project’s circle. It will take place online next week, from April 9 to 11, 2024. As usual, it will gather civil society, media, and government representatives from all six Western Balkan Countries, who will together address the issue of disinformation in the region and work on how to counter it.

The first regional training, held in November 2022, focused on identifying and understanding disinformation and its impact. The second one, held in June 2023, focused on equipping participants with tools and tactics to help them detect and, timely and effectively react to disinformation; the third one will focus on response methodologies and partnership building. Throughout the program, participants will work on defining national response methodology and learn about opportunities and obstacles with the aim of drafting national proposals to counter disinformation. Next, they will discover ways of building partnerships to ensure long-term success in combating disinformation. We will also talk about worldwide known good practices and dedicate one full day to focus on the specific challenges in the region – country by country. Led by leading experts in this space, the sessions will include practical exercises to provide tangible, workable solutions for participants.

The project will conclude almost all its activities with this regional capacity-building training. The only one left is publication, which is already in its final stage and will be published next month!

The Project Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Disinformation in the Western Balkans is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia through development cooperation funds.

Digital Diplomacy in Action: Another Successfully Concluded EDDE Training Bled

Digital Diplomacy in Action: Another Successfully Concluded EDDE Training Bled

4. 3. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR, Strategic Communication

In 2024, the power of strategic communication holds and will hold unprecedented significance for the future of humankind. Over 4 billion individuals, representing half the planet’s population, will exercise their right to vote. It will not be just about countering disinformation; it will be about preserving democracy. In this pivotal moment, digital communication emerges as one of the essential tools poised to shape the course of events and uphold the values of democratic governance. Digital communication has the ability to reach a large audience, communicate more effectively and efficiently and connect people all over the world. It also enables immediate and real-time interaction, which will be crucial in facing all global crises, especially in the election year.

This year, our EDDE training that just successfully concluded was as relevant as ever. It was the 24th training since the launch of a project in 2016. The topic of this year’s edition was Enhancing Digital Strategic Messaging. We were joined by 46 government communicators from 20 countries and by nine international experts from CEP, DigiTips, META and the US State Department.

The four-day EDDE training took place in Bled from 27 February to 1 March 2024. It provided a comprehensive exploration of the critical intersection between government affairs and digital engagement. It offered participants a diverse display of speakers and activities aimed at enhancing their understanding and skills in this rapidly evolving field. The topics ranged from the evolution of the digital society to audience analysis, strategic marketing, and practical sessions on videography and photography techniques. The lectures also delved into graphic design principles, digital media monitoring, AI, and strategies for combatting digital disinformation. They culminated in a simulation exercise where attendees applied their knowledge in real-time scenarios. The final day showcased a dynamic simulation activity, challenging participants to create digital strategic communications campaigns for authentic case scenarios. This hands-on approach provided invaluable insights and skills, empowering attendees to navigate the complex landscape of digital engagement in government affairs.

In addition to educational sessions, our event emphasised fostering connections and strong bonds among participants. We organised different engaging activities. The highlight was a dinner in Ljubljana, attended by esteemed ambassadors, promoting meaningful exchanges in an informal atmosphere.

 

The project is a result of cooperation between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, and the Centre for European Perspective.

You can check out more photos with a click on the photo below.

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Countering the threat of disinformation in the context of global challenges

Countering the threat of disinformation in the context of global challenges

22. 2. 2024 | PR, Strategic Communication

Mengeš, 22 February 2024 – Today, Jable Castle hosted a panel discussion on the topic of Countering the threat of disinformation in the context of global challenges. Joining us to open the discussion officially was Ms Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia.

The event participants were welcomed by the Project Manager of the Centre for European Perspective, Ms Ingrid Omahna, who provided a few opening remarks. Following Ms Omahna, Ms Nataša Pirc Musar gave an introductory speech remarking on the importance of fighting disinformation to protect our democracies. She emphasized the significance of the current year marked by numerous elections across 70 countries.

The moderator of the discussion was Ms Neelu Shanker, Chargée d’affaires of the Embassy of Canada. The panellists were Mr Jean-Christophe Boucher, Associate Professor of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, Canada and Ms Miriam Možgan, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the Republic of Slovenia.

The panel discussion revolved around addressing the global threat of disinformation, particularly its impact on elections and democratic processes. Discussions included the urgency of combating disinformation, upcoming legislative measures in the EU, and the evolving response of tech corporations. Presentations focused on AI-driven approaches to analyze and counter disinformation and the societal impacts of misinformation, emphasizing the need for proactive measures and media literacy to combat this challenge effectively.

 

The event was organised in partnership with the Embassy of Canada in Hungary, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In-Country Visits: Kosovo and Montenegro

In-Country Visits: Kosovo and Montenegro

22. 2. 2024 | PR, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries

Novica v slovenščini je dostopna tukaj.

In the final stretch of the Western Balkan tour, the project Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans visited Kosovo and Montenegro in the week of 12-16 February.

In roundtable discussions with local experts, national governments, media, civil society, representatives of the academia and the international community, the priority of countering foreign perpetrated disinformation was reiterated as a matter of supporting democratic development, peace and security, and the EU integration of the region. Participants welcomed initiatives such as this Project that bring to the same table different societal sectors and appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences and insights with peers from across Europe: the European External Action Service, the Centre against Hybrid Threats from the Czech Republic and the Brussels-based EU DisinfoLab. Cooperation was the word of the day during the dynamic and engaging debates, calling for a greater, more consistent and structured exchange between governments, media, and civil society, and between local stakeholders and international peers. Many good practices that were noted during the discussions stemmed precisely from such cooperative efforts.

With the visits to Kosovo and Montenegro in February 2024, the Project concluded its tour of the Western Balkans. The lessons learned during all six visits will feed into the remaining activities of the project that will follow this spring!

The Project Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Disinformation in the Western Balkans is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia through development cooperation funds.

Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans project concluding tour of the region

Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans project concluding tour of the region

5. 2. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries



Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans project is concluding its visiting tour of the region with the back to back visits to Pristina, Kosovo and Podgorica, Montenegro, in the week of 12-16 February.

The two visits will address the particular challenges that local efforts to counter disinformation encounter in Kosovo and Montenegro and look at the policy solutions found in the EU and the EU Member States. The project will be accompanied on these visits by renowned experts and practitioners in this field, who will discuss with the stakeholders from across societal sectors in the two countries the best ways of strengthening resilience against the threat of disinformation, taking into account both the local specificities and the lessons learned abroad. In addition to supporting democratic development, whole-of-society cooperation and comprehensive national security, countering disinformation will also assist the EU aspiration of the two countries.

The Project Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in the Western Balkans is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia through development cooperation funds.