Digital Communication Network Global organized the DCN Americas Inaugural Event “Information Literacy in the Age of Disruption,” on October 17 and 18 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Almost 200 people from the Americas met at Parque La Libertad and attended two full days of speeches, workshops, and discovered opportunities for exchanging ideas and networking!
Digital Communication Network Global’s premise is that in the age of informational disruptions, only coalitions of professionals from different backgrounds can address the multiple challenges to the information space. That’s why the topic of the hybrid forum provided an excellent opportunity to start building a coalition in the Americas, to join DCN’s other similar coalitions in Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
The Highlights
#1 The opening remarks
In his opening remarks, the President of DCN Global, Dr. Nikos Panagiotou highlighted the importance of the network and especially of this step to create a new Regional Hub in Americas. “DCN Global's mission is to create a lasting impact through empowering a new generation of global voices and ideas in the digital communication space. To achieve our goal, we serve as an open space for communication, creativity, and connectivity to promote democratic and resilient societies by being a catalyst for credible information and democratic norms and behaviors”.
Franak Viacorka, DCN Global’s Vice President, in his opening remarks, explained that DCN is about connection, exchanging ideas, experimentation, and creativity, and he emphasized the expectations of the new community. “We are really happy to launch the Hub here and we count on your contribution. We hope that together, with your ideas and skills, will be able to make this world better, to fight disinformation and propaganda”, he said.
The acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Elizabeth M. Allen honored us with her presence and very powerful opening speech “This launch builds upon the work of the DCN in Europe and Africa which, over the last seven years, has created a global network that develops and shares digital content and resources to provide accurate and authentic reporting, strengthen independent journalism, support civil society, and advance democratic values”, as she emphasided during her opening remarks.
The opening remarks by the acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Liz Allen:
The acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Liz Allen also met the speakers and the participants about the united efforts to combat disinformation while supporting a strong, free, and more resilient digital information environment in the Western Hemisphere.
#2 The DCN Global meetings
The DCN Global team invited the participants to join the two-day brainstorming workshop to start the discussion about the new community. The team shared the DCN’s mission, and the activities by coalitions of the other regions and listened to what the new members shared.
After two days full of brainstorming, the new steps and the upcoming activities of DCN Americas will be announced on the DCN Americas webpage.
#3 The 34 Speakers from the Americas
Back to the Hybrid Forum, 34 prestigious speakers from the Americas shared their experience on “Information Literacy”. They outlined how technologies empowered new voices and provided citizens around the world with greater freedom of expression, and opportunities for civil society, education, and political participation. However, they also pointed out that the same technologies are now being used to undermine democracy, such as bias, manipulation, polarization, disinformation, abusive surveillance, and authoritarian control through digital networks. Altogether, they agreed on the importance of a digitally interconnected society and a world, based on trust and respect for human rights.
The participants had the opportunity to join interactive workshops to obtain more insights from various fields (from media literacy to personal branding).
Live-streaming is available in Spanish:
Live-streaming is available in English:
#4 The moderator
Marysela Zamora, an entrepreneur from Costa Rica, was the perfect fit for presenting and moderating the tight schedule of the Hybrid Forum. During DCN’s workshop brainstorming for DCN Americas, she noted the input of the participants to design, together with the DCN Global team, the next steps as she is now the Head of DCN Americas.
#5 The closing remarks
During her closing remarks, the Honorable Cynthia Telles, U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, greeted the new initiative. As she mentioned: “Working together, DCN Global will be able to expand this network as part of our common effort to strengthen democratic values”.
