PlaceSpeak CEO, Colleen Hardwick to speak at 2024 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy
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For the first time ever, the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy is heading to Eastern Europe! From 15 to 18 May 2024, the world’s largest conference on direct democracy will convene in Bucharest, Romania. This is the first time a democracy conference has been held behind the former Iron Curtain!
The 2024 Global Forum will centre its discussions on a critical issue: trust. Trust in institutions, media, and citizens is of essential importance to our democracies. Without trust, how can we expect to make decisions with and for each other? Now is the time to reaffirm the fundamental value of democracy and reimagine a more inclusive democracy.
PlaceSpeak CEO, Colleen Hardwick, will address the topic of digital trust.
Earlier this year, PlaceSpeak participated in the pilot implementation of the Digital Trust Conformity Assessment Program. Through a rigorous and objective process, PlaceSpeak was independently verified by the Digital Governance Council (DGC), exemplifying digital trust and compliance. This program represents a significant advancement in the standardization and verification of digital practices, providing organizations with a clear path to demonstrating digital trustworthiness.
Workshop: “Digital Democracy: Building Trust and Empowering Local Communities Globally”
This panel/workshop will explore the transformative role of technology in strengthening democracy, fostering trust, and empowering local communities worldwide. Panelists will share insights, case studies, and practical strategies aimed at building bridges across continents for local empowerment through digital innovation.
Moderator: George A. Polisner, Founder of Civic Works, United States
Speakers:
- Colleen Hardwick, Founder & CEO of PlaceSpeak, Canada
- Tamara Tachynska, CEO of Qela App, Ukraine
- Guillaume Saunier, Partnerships and Fundraising at Octree, Switzerland
- Charlie Martial Ngounou, President of AfroLeadership, Yaounde, Cameroon
Discussion Topics:
1. Digital Trust and Governance: The importance of digital governance and identity verification in fostering trust in online citizen engagement. Case studies will be presented to showcase successful implementations.
2. Hybrid Democracy Models: Exploring the impact of hybrid approaches to democracy, blending traditional and digital methods to amplify community voices and foster inclusive participation. Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities of scaling such initiatives globally.
3. Gamified Community Engagement: Introduction to gamified tools like Qela for enhancing community engagement and retention. The discussion will focus on how such platforms can empower citizens, promote active participation, and build a sense of ownership in civic activities.
4. Building Global Alliances: Strategies for forging digital bridges and fostering collaborations among democracy practitioners from diverse regions. Panelists will share insights on facilitating South-South and North-South exchanges to promote cross-learning and resource-sharing.
