On 26 May, the Russian House in Brussels, together with the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the journal “Russia in Global Affairs”, and the Russian International Affairs Council, held the third International Expert Forum «European Meridian, XXI».
The first panel session “Post-pandemic. The digitalisation of social relations and international social initiatives” was moderated by Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs Fyodor Lukyanov. In the beginning of the session he posed a question to lead the discussion: Will digitalization foster collaboration or will it fragmentize the international community?
Thierry Monforti the director of Academic Service and Admissions at the College of Europe highlighted the importance of data protection while implementing digital tools. “It is important to assure that we have an effective communication between our students and professors.” — stated Thierry Monforti. He pointed out that technologies have assisted the university in the pandemic crisis to continue education processes. The director of Academic Service and Admissions at the College of Europe made it clear that technologies should serve the communication and strategic policies are able to let the society benefit from using them. “We make sure, that the GDPR rules are respected” — stated Thierry Monforti. Thierry Monforti brought the attention to practices of misuse of technologies.
Stanislav Tkachenko the professor at the Department of European Studies brought the attention to the challenges that technologies have put on the table. He pointed out that the communication with technological means divides the communities. Digital communication requires skills and equipment to be engaged in the discussion. It might limit certain groups to participate in the discussion.
Gianluca Sgueo a research associate at the Brussels School of Governance highlighted the role of the technologies for the young generation. He mentioned a positive experience of using digital services to give a broader access to the information to the youth.
The discussion hosted on the panel session at the international forum ‘European Meridian, XXI’ shed a light on the topics that give a key to the cooperation between countries.
