Who we Are
DCN Global is a multi-disciplinary community of digital professionals and emerging leaders organized as a social enterprise. Our global community seeks solutions addressing the challenges to democracy.
Why
DCN Global addresses disruptions and distortions in the information space by empowering a new generation of digital global voices and ideas.
DCN Global’s foundational premise is that digitally empowered multi-disciplinary coalitions and individuals can identify creative and sustainable solutions to today’s and future challenges
What
We serve as an open and safe space for communication, creativity, and cooperation, to promote democratic, transparent, and resilient societies.
- Build and Sustain Digital Networks
- Combat Disinformation
- Promote Digital & Media Literacy
- Forecast Trends in Digital Technology
- Advance Internet Governance, Privacy, & Security
- Support E-Governance & Transparency
How
- Connecting multi-disciplinary digital professionals
- Incubating creative ideas and solutions
- Empowering social entrepreneurs leading to a sustainable impact
Team
President
Dr. Nikos Panagiotou
President
Vice President
Franak Viačorka
Vice President
Executive leadership
Marianna Tanagia
Communications Director
DCN Global Team
Lusine Barseghyan
Team Member
Aurra Kawanzaruwa
Team Member
Marysela Zamora Villalobos
Team Member
Diana Filimon
Team Member
Nikolai Kvantaliani
Team Member
Erasmia Tsipou
Team Member
Yuliia Reshitko
Team Member
Ioanna Georgia Eskiadi
Team Member
Raashi Saxena
Team Member
Alexandre Le Voci Sayad
Team Member
Federica Tortorella
Team Member
We are
Multi-disciplinary
because the information space is complex and only diverse perspectives and approaches, from a variety of professional angles, can identify effective solutions
Global
because relevant patterns are manifesting worldwide.
Interactive
because the best solutions need collaboration and engagement.
- Inspired by an exchange program in the United States, supported by the U.S. Department of State’ Office of Citizen Exchanges and coordinated by World Learning, the Digital Communication Network idea was born, to connect alumni of the program and other professionals of the digital age. The goal was for a diverse network to collaborate, generate ideas, tools, and products for media outlets, civil society organizations, entrepreneurial initiatives, and public authorities.
- DCN gained visibility and organized several international events, growing into a network of over 4,000 professionals from over 30 European countries.
- DCN expanded its network and established partnerships with regional and international media, civic, tech, and educational organizations. DCN organized networking, entrepreneurial and educational events with a strong offline and online presence.
- DCN developed its community, organized training & networking events, and started research projects such as Influencers Mapping. DCN co-organized 3 international forums: Digital Transformation Forum / Governance x Watchdogs (Bucharest, Romania); Digital Influencers Hub Forum (Thessaloniki, Greece); Media Literacy 360° Forum and Fair (Bratislava, Slovakia). Through State Department funded and World Learning implemented forums in South Africa, Kenya and Thailand, under the On Demand program, DCN established a presence in Africa and South East Asia.
- Based on original methodology, DCN identified the 500 most significant influencers in the digital space in 27 countries in Europe and Central Asia including bloggers, vloggers, local non-conventional publishers, and celebrities. More than 6.000 experts participated in events organized or co-organized by DCN, including: 1) Digital Influencers in Action Forum (Budva, Montenegro) 2) Humor and Games for Social Good (Yerevan, Armenia) 3) Rockit Conference 2019 (Chisinau, Moldova) 4) Media Literacy Solutions Forum (Minsk, Belarus) 5) Digital Storytelling for Impact Forum (Sofia, Bulgaria). DCN launched its Southeast Europe Hub (DCNSEE).
- In the context of the pandemic, DCN responded quickly to specific needs and trends by educating and informing global audiences and engaging in campaigns to combat disinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories. DCN and World Learning co-organized Ideas in Action – Digital Engagement, a series of 83 virtual events launched in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, DCN launched a call for research papers analyzing “Digital Challenges in the Time of the COVID-19 Crisis.” DCN Romania launched "In Center" podcast series, bringing relevant people to one of the most famous opinion websites in Romania, to discuss important issues in the country.
- DCN organized 94 webinars and workshops, created 40 publications, and co-organized one major hybrid Forum in Thessaloniki, Greece. Training engagement included 200 NGO representatives and 400 journalists as well as five universities from Greece, Romania, Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia. A new hub was created in Ukraine, working with American Corners in three cities. Fake News Hunters was created as DCN’s leading program to combat disinformation. DCN Armenia launched podcasts series "Democracy in Limelight". Each episode touches upon a specific topic under the umbrella of disinformation, media literacy and democracy. DCN Global became the umbrella organization, covering DCNs being developed in addition to Europe, in Africa, South and East Asia, and Latin America.