This session is made of up two panels. You are welcome to attend both or only one.
First panel: Deliberation in the digital age – can technology spark new life into democracy?
From 10:00 to 11:30
Once upon a time, the Western world thought it had almost perfected democracy and urged others to follow suit. Today, however, it seems that EU democracies may not be able to withstand multifaceted challenges like misinformation, polarisation, complex geopolitics and rising extremism.
Could technology help democracy to weather this storm? Digital tools connect people, aid information exchange and analyse patterns in a way that shapes our societies. If democracy is about gathering preferences, analysing pros and cons and making political decisions, digital technology is well-positioned to help advance democracy. On the other hand, technology brings its own risks – ones that we may not be ready to mitigate.
In this panel, our speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities of using digital tools in democracy, especially during deliberation.
Second panel: Ukrainian refugees, at the table or on the menu?
From 11:30 to 13:00
Russian invasion has forced millions of Ukrainians to seek refuge across the EU, many living under temporary protection. Torn between the call of their homeland, the changing attitudes of the host communities and their own hopes and dreams, they face a life full of uncertainty.
In this panel, we will hear the personal experience and ideas of a young Ukrainian. We will also explore the challenges facing Ukrainian refugees in Europe and discuss what the EU can do to provide meaningful support. How can EU institutions and national authorities work hand in hand to create sustainable solutions that ensure stability, opportunity and hope for those affected?
Both panels will be accompanied by Democratic Reflection, a web-based platform developed by ORBIS for collecting and analysing real-time feedback from the audience of a debate.
