The Night of Ideas on January 26: is the internet the future of democracy?

On the occasion of the Night of Ideas 2017, a debating event organized by French institutions in 35 countries, we are pleased to invite you to talk about the future of democracy in our digital era on Thursday, January 26 at 17:30 at the Representation of the European Commission (Laikmaa 15, Tallinn). Free entry, upon registration. The debate will be held in English and will finish at 19:00 with a dicussion around drinks. 

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In 2017, public opinions are shaped through social media. Governments are working to upgrade our institutions with digital tools. Activists are launching massive mobilizations online. Algorithms and data already play an important role in the regulation of our societies.

All this is taking place while the internet 2.0 is still in its teenage years. What does citizenship of the 21st century look like? Can governments be upgraded? Is the world wide web the future of democracy?

One month after the Summit of Paris dedicated to these issues, French and Estonian experts will share their views on the way ahead for government and civil society in the digital era we’re just entering.

The Facebook event

The speakers are Laure Lucchesi (Director of Etalab*), Taavi Kotka (Chief Information Officer of the Estonian government) and Hille Hinsberg (researcher at Praxis, activist at Open Knowledge Estonia). The debate will be moderated by Kadi-Maria Vooglaid, e-democracy researcher for the startup CitizenOS.

*Etalab is the French government’s task force for open data and open government, under the authority of the Prime Minister. 

Operating data.gouv.fr, the ambitious French state’s open data portal, Etalab is cooperating with the civil society to promote a culture of collaborative decisions both within administrations and in the relations with citizens. Etalab is also in charge of the French presidency of the Open Government Partnership, an initiative gathering more than 70 countries in their efforts to update governments.

This event is organized with the support of the Representation of the European Commission in Tallinn and Open Estonia Foundation.