Tbilisi hosts large-scale conference on strategic communications and counter disinformation

21.11.2019

“Disinformation Alert” conference addresses strategic communications and counter disinformation activities

The event is part of the Strategic Communications Week, that aims at raising awareness of public, sharing experiences of EU and the Eastern Partnership countries and promoting public diplomacy. Strategic Communications week is holding on November 18-22.

The conference was opened by Natia Mezvrishvili, Head of Georgian Government Administration and Carl Hartzel, EU Ambassador to Georgia.

The purpose of the conference is to analyze the dangers of disinformation in the EU and its neighborhood and to promote coordinated action. Experts, Officials, Diplomats, Young Professionals, Civil and Media Sector Experts on Disinformation and Strategic Communications discuss together on strengthening the capacity of EU institutions to combat disinformation; Strengthening joint response; Mobilizing the private sector and raising awareness of the issue.

Internationally recognized speakers/experts would lead the panels, including Professor Martin Innes - Director, Cardiff University Crime and Security Research Institute, Jurgis Vilcinskas -the Deputy Head of the strategic communication division of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Päivi Tampere- Head of Communication, European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, Anneli Ahonen - Head of East Stratcom Task Force, EEAS, Sara Ahnborg - Press Officer, European Parliament, Vivian Walker- Executive Director, US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy at the Department of State and many others. 

The conference is held for the first time and it is important that Georgia is a host in the EU neighborhood The overall goal of the conference is to better understand the threat of pro-Kremlin disinformation across the EU’s neighbourhood and develop a more coordinated response. The event addresses EU’s action under all four key pillars included in the action plan: building the capacity of EU institutions to expose disinformation; strengthening a joint response; mobilising the private sector and raising awareness of the issue.

The conference is part of the EU's main action plan, the European External Action Service and the “EuvsDisinfo” campaign. 

Strategic Communications Week includes number of interesting meetings including in the regions of Georgia, including teachers, youth, religious leaders, media, experts communities, government. opening of Euro-Club in Gori and training for teachers from different regions has been already held in frames of the Week. Meetings with representatives of religious groups - leaders, youth, in a roundtable for strategic communications of government structures, international organizations, media and experts, are also planned in frames of the week. 

Strategic Communication week is organised by the European External Action Service and the EU delegation in Georgia, together with the coalition of non-profit organisations: the Center for Development and Democracy (CDD), Sector 3 – Hub for Development in partnership with the Government of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, the Information Centre on NATO and EU.  Endowment “ProDemos” with the European Union is supporter of the events.