Re-wiring Democracy: connecting institutions and citizens in the digital age

This course explores the unrealized possibilities of digital organizing in Europe, focusing on how people—not just technology—drive meaningful change. It highlights key elements of successful campaigns, such as building relationships, empowering leadership, and fostering local, decentralized activism. Drawing on insights from "The State of Digital Organizing in Europe 2020," the course offers practical recommendations, including enhanced communication, investment in training, and a cultural shift towards decentralizing power.

This course explores the role of media literacy in combating disinformation, highlighting the importance of understanding the creation of media products, critical cultural analysis, and awareness of media delivery models. Participants will learn essential techniques for analyzing media, debunking myths, and fostering critical thinking. The course emphasizes the integration of media literacy into a broader pedagogy for empowered citizenship, promoting civic competence and active participation in democratic processes.

This course explores the challenges and solutions of digital teaching and research, focusing on how internet access shapes education and research dynamics. Using the Athens metropolitan area as a case study, participants will examine the impact of social inequalities on online learning and access. Topics include the limitations of online teaching, challenges in conducting remote research, and the risk of biased samples. The course offers actionable insights into overcoming these obstacles, improving digital education, and developing more effective and inclusive research methodologies.

This course examines digital governance and resilience in response to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and pandemics. Participants will explore how the traditional governance model has proven unsustainable and discuss the need for new, more inclusive approaches to recovery. Topics include the decentralization of power, community involvement in solution-building, the role of digital media in fostering resilience, and the importance of diversity in ensuring social cohesion. The course highlights strategies that leaders and policymakers can adopt to create more resilient and equitable crisis responses.

This course explores the challenges and opportunities of civic education in the digital age. Participants will examine key issues facing schools today, including cyberbullying, exclusion, disengagement, disinformation, and the impact of digital media on student well-being. The course will introduce essential topics for educating a digital citizen, focusing on the ten domains of Digital Citizenship Education as outlined by the Council of Europe. Participants will also explore effective models for teaching digital citizenship, equipping students with the skills needed to navigate the digital world.

This course explores the role of e-voting in ensuring secure, democratic elections in challenging times. Participants will examine the risks associated with in-person voting, including crowding and logistical difficulties, and discuss how digital voting systems could address these issues. The course highlights the current use of internet voting in eight countries and considers its broader applications for public and private organizations. Participants will explore the potential and limitations of e-voting as a tool for democratic participation in an evolving world.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of disinformation, media dynamics, and technological tools designed to combat misinformation. Participants will explore key concepts such as fake news, information disorder, and the challenges of news media in the digital age. The course also highlights fact-checking tools, including those from the Co-Inform project, and examines the role of policymakers in addressing the spread of disinformation. Through case studies and analysis, participants will gain insights into the complexities of navigating and combating misinformation in today’s digital landscape.

This course explores how power in politics is evolving in the digital age. Focusing on the impact of technology, social media, and data-driven strategies, participants will learn how political candidates and parties are utilizing new tools to connect with voters. The course delves into the reshaping of democratic processes, illustrated through examples like the Sunflower Movement and Taiwan's V democracy. By examining how technology influences political power, participants will gain insights into the revolutionary changes affecting democracy and decision-making today.