International Conference
The Future of the Digital Information Environment and Democracy
Global Expertise in Dialogue
Experts from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas came together to exchange experiences and discuss policy approaches. Key topics included balancing regulation with freedom of expression, navigating the rapid development of AI, countering foreign information operations, and ensuring data privacy.
The conference gained additional prominence through the participation of high-level political figures, including:
Dimitris Papastergiou (Greek Minister of Digital Governance), Professor Evripidis Stylianidis (Member of the Hellenic Parliament), Stijn De Roo (Member of the Flemish Parliament), Matan Kahana (Former Israeli Minister of Religious Services), and Dr. Volker Ullrich (Member of the Executive Committee of the CSU and former Member of the German Bundestag).
Strategies Against Foreign Information Manipulation
Supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Nyambayar Purevsuren—Deputy CEO of Parliament TV of Mongolia and Non-resident Research Fellow at the National Institute for Security Studies—moderated a session on “Foreign Information Manipulation – Strategies to Detect and Counteract Influence.”
Together with international specialists, he explored practical tools and methods to identify and counter foreign disinformation. The discussion underscored a key point: In an environment increasingly shaped by social media and AI systems, information manipulation has become a central instrument of hybrid warfare.
The session identified four essential areas for action:
- Strengthening Public Trust: Healthy democracies rely on trust—between institutions, citizens, and international partners.
- Scenario Analysis: In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, risk and scenario analyses must be continuously updated.
- Education Is Not Enough: While education enhances societal resilience, robust institutional and technological structures are equally necessary.
- Smart Regulation: Regulatory frameworks must protect democratic values while addressing emerging threats.
Purevsuren also highlighted Mongolia’s experience, noting that the country’s well-established constitution has served as a “firewall” for democratic stability over the past 30 years. Protecting constitutional integrity from foreign influence is therefore essential to preserving public trust and democratic principles.
A Broad Range of Topics and Shared Insights
Other sessions addressed issues such as freedom of speech in the digital sphere, content moderation, building public trust, strengthening democratic resilience, and developing effective regulatory responses. The conference concluded with capacity-building workshops for policymakers and stakeholders.
Key insights for future work included:
- Human-Centered Policies: Digital information policies must focus on societal needs rather than the technology itself.
- Balanced Regulation: A stable and resilient information ecosystem requires a careful balance between democratic freedoms and content moderation.
- Unified Information Integrity: Public–private cooperation is essential. Disinformation is often not the root problem but a symptom of systemic coordination failures.
Connections Across Continents
The conference offered an excellent platform for dialogue, networking, and long-term collaboration among experts from four continents. The discussions were not only highly productive but also laid the foundation for valuable international partnerships.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation deserves special recognition for organizing this important event and contributing to the strengthening of democratic resilience worldwide.