Through the internet, it seems like we can see everything about almost anything. But what are we not seeing? What if a country is cut off from the internet? What if you’re kidnapped and your phone is taken away? This primarily happens to people living in extreme poverty without connectivity, those in war zones, refugees seeking safety, and activists standing up for human rights who are silenced. Even AI can’t find them because, in the digital world, they don’t exist.
And this is how a digital black hole forms. If we can’t see it, know nothing about it, and can’t hear what’s happening in these black holes, then sympathy and solidarity are impossible. These people become increasingly isolated and cut off from the rest of the world.
That’s why we must learn more about it! We need to ask ourselves: can we recognize digital black holes? What causes these digital black holes? And what can we do to counter them?
This session will be in English
When: 11h00
Where: Bol zaal
Speaker: Mirjam van Reisen
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Read moreForward Fest 2024 invites you to join the conversation, share your perspective, and collaborate with others to build a future that is fair, inclusive, and interconnected. Explore, learn, and contribute to the change our world needs.
LEARN, SHARE, INSPIRE
Prepare for a day filled with inspiring lectures, surprising workshops, and professional connections that will not only stimulate your thinking but also touch your heart. This is your chance to learn from leading thinkers, network with like-minded individuals, and actively contribute to a more just world.
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Forward Fest is organized by 11.11.11, ngo-federation and VLIR-UOS in collaboration with MO* with the support of Belgian development cooperation.
11.11.11
THE COALITION FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY.
11.11.11 aims to eradicate exploitation from the world. Everyone – anywhere in the world – has the right to a dignified existence. To truly make a change, power and resources must be distributed more fairly, and the current system must be questioned.
More info on 11.be
NGO-FEDERATIE
FLEMISH FEDERATION OF NGOS FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION.
The ngo-federation represents its members to the federal and other governments, supports the members in their discussions with those governments, promotes cooperation within the sector, and strengthens the quality of NGOs’ operations.
More info on ngo-federatie.be
VLIR-UOS
INNOVATIVE RESPONSES TO GLOBAL AND LOCAL CHALLENGES
VLIR-UOS supports partnerships and scholarships between universities and colleges in both Flanders and the Global South, seeking innovative solutions for global as well as local challenges.
More info on vliruos.be