Between December 9th and 10th, decision makers, issues-experts, activists, organisations and institutions from around the world gathered in Lisbon and online to argue on the urgent necessity to support intercultural dialogue to counter disinformation, misinformation and hate speech.

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Breaking the bubble against infodemic

COVID-19 has accelerated and enlarged the fourth industrial revolution and with it, the effects of another pandemic: the information epidemic. 

Alongside the opportunities generated by the evolution of Information and Communication Technologies, the infodemic brings about major social, economic, and political consequences that contribute to perpetuating the cycle of inequality - online and offline - and to discourage the cooperation needed to face global challenges together...

  Read the Concept note. 

The slogan "Break your bubble" aims at drawing attention to the concept of “infodemic” and the whole critique of algorithmic-based personalisation of the internet based on ‘eco chambers’ and ‘filter bubbles’. The ‘bubble’ refers here also to the worldviews, cultures and social classes living together without entering in dialogue. The slogan is a call for action broken down into four key messages, based on the Lisbon Forum 2021's four perspectives.

 

podcast series
#BREAKYOURBUBBLE

Break your bubble with dialogue

This perspective will position the Intercultural Dialogue as an important tool against the infodemic and will explore what are the ways to use it as a tool to counter misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

Break your bubble for human rights

Living in the bubble means living with your own (and others’) biases, stereotypes and prejudices towards the Other, which may lead to hate speech and discrimination. This perspective will explore ways of combating hate speech online, promoting human rights-based narratives and freedom of expression.

Break your bubble for democratic internet

Breaking the bubble means as well controlling one’s own persona on the internet, specifically on platforms where one’s personal data are tracked, collected and sold on the market. Democratising the internet, among other things, means also living online in a plurality of opinions, currents and thoughts; confronting and challenging them. But it also means inclusiveness, regulation, diversity and truthfulness.

Break your bubble for global solidarity and social justice

Research has evidenced that AI- based content and tools are often reproducing the same inequalities that one can face in the offline world. The 2021 Global Risks Report of the World Economic Forum warned that growing digital divides are among the main risks that feed social fractures and undermine inclusive recovery. The need for global solidarity to face the worlds’ divides is permanent. Acting united requires going outside of one’s comfort zone to solidarity with the Other.
re-watch the sessions